Adding a moon wrasse.

tyler1503 · Mar 28, 2014

What are people thoughts on adding a moon wrasse to a 120 fowlr?
I already have a valentini puffer and a snowflake eel. He'll go in 3rd followed by a fuzzy dwarf Lionfish, a foxface and a kole tang.
I don't know much about wrasses, so any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks :)

eatbreakfast · Mar 28, 2014

Should be fine in a FOWLR. He sleeps in the sand so a couple inch fine sand bed is needed. He will likely jump so a cover is needed. You will not be able to add other wrasses in the future as he will not tolerate them.

Eienna · Mar 28, 2014

Moon (lunare) wrasses can be highly aggressive and not just towards other wrasses. I personally wouldn't do it. I know of one that would fight with a Maroon clown. Took a chunk out of it, too.

poorish idol · Mar 28, 2014

say nooo to lunar wrasses!!!...they are huuge messy eaters..they push rocks all over...they are bullies when it comes to feedings..and they are almost imossible to take out...had to mive hakf my rock in my 120 reef!!...

Eienna · Mar 28, 2014

poorish idol said:
say nooo to lunar wrasses!!!...they are huuge messy eaters..they push rocks all over...they are bullies when it comes to feedings..and they are almost imossible to take out...had to mive hakf my rock in my 120 reef!!...

Agreed. They're pushy pigs that will take an entire cube to themselves even when they aren't actively attacking anyone else.

Keep in mind there are two wrasses with similar names. The lunar fairy wrasse is not what we're referring to. I believe the lunare/moon's genus is Thalassoma.

tyler1503 · Mar 30, 2014

He is in a 4x1x1 with a couple of other wrasse, some stripeys and a few gobies and hasn't been aggressive towards anyone. Although if they're willing to initiate a fight with a maroon clown and get away I bet they can be pretty nasty lol. I guess I need to do a bit more research.
I imagine aggression would be an issue in a highly stocked tank where every fish has to compete for room, but if there's only 6 fish in total shouldn't it be fairly peaceful?
I'm fine with them eating a lot, most of the fish I'm wanting to get can be pretty messy eaters. Plus I love watching hungry fish eat :)
Oh, and yes I mean the Thalassoma lunare moon wrasse.

tyler1503 · Mar 30, 2014

Sorry, the moon wrasse at the LFS is in the 4x1x1. I don't own him.

Also, because it seems that moon wrasses are a bad choice. What about a 6 bar wrasse (not a 6 line) Thalassoma hardwicke?