Adding Melanurus Wrasse to 180g Bad Idea?

[ajremington68]

Just tossing this idea around. I have a Melanurus wrasse that was my first guy and he is in a 55g. Now, in the 55g he is kind of a dick to the tang in there but I am not sure if its because space is tight or cuz the purple tang is a dick to him so he is a dick back? Also, I tried adding a royal gramma a while back and the Melanurus killed it. I am to the point that I need to upgrade him and I have a 180g that I want to put him in. But will he continue his attitude in there? Should I try to get the wrasse I want in there before him? Should I rehome him and get a new one that's smaller or a different wrasse? Any thoughts?

Going to add a video of him because he is so pretty and a good pest hunter for me I don't want to let him go, but also dont want the only wrasse I have in a 180g be him...

 

[tbrown]

I can't speak to this 100% because, as of today, my Melanurus is a model citizen in my 70.

Several people on here have reported that Melanurus can be real jerks. I would say that if he has the attitude he will likely keep the attitude even in the bigger tank.

However, if there are established fish in the new tank, he could get put in his place before he gets established and his attitude could change

@Slocke @i cant think anything to add or recommendations? Mirror trick maybe?

 

[Slocke]

Just tossing this idea around. I have a Melanurus wrasse that was my first guy and he is in a 55g. Now, in the 55g he is kind of a dick to the tang in there but I am not sure if its because space is tight or cuz the purple tang is a dick to him so he is a dick back? Also, I tried adding a royal gramma a while back and the Melanurus killed it. I am to the point that I need to upgrade him and I have a 180g that I want to put him in. But will he continue his attitude in there?

Perhaps but a late addition is less likely to be a ______

Should I try to get the wrasse I want in there before him?

Yes

Should I rehome him and get a new one that's smaller or a different wrasse? Any thoughts?

Going to add a video of him because he is so pretty and a good pest hunter for me I don't want to let him go, but also dont want the only wrasse I have in a 180g be him...

 

[exnisstech]

I had one in a 180g with tangs and a few other fish for 3 years and never saw the wrasse bother anyone. It came out when I fed and then back to cruising around the rocks. A few months ago I added one to my 330g with 8 tangs a pair of CBBs couple dwarf angels and some damsels and it's just like the first it just cruises around the rocks.

PS I forgot I also have a sixline and a yellow banded possum wrasse in the 330g.

 

[tbrown]

I had one in a 180g with tangs and a few other fish for 3 years and never saw the wrasse bother anyone. It came out when I fed and then back to cruising around the rocks. A few months ago I added one to my 330g with 8 tangs a pair of CBBs couple dwarf angels and some damsels and it's just like the first it just cruises around the rocks.

My experience was very similar. It was my first Wrasse and mostly leaves everything alone. I do see it occasionally dart at the Leopard when I broadcast feed the tank, but usually he leaves her and the leucoxanthus alone and he was the first added.

 

[ajremington68]

shoot, okay this is good intel. perhaps I will get 2 easier wrasse I want, then add the big guy then work on my more expensive later additions AKA when I can find them for a good deal.

Also need to figure out how to catch him and where he sleeps at in my 55g. Tank is packed with rock and lots of corals so I bet its gunna be impossible to get him out but in due time maybe.

Would be nice to pull him so I can get some smaller leopard wrasse in there to grow out some and make sure they are good before I put them in my 180g cuz my 55g has been going for like 1.5-2 years and has an overpopulation of pods and microcrustations.