Adding more wrasses + others (47G)

[Teeter]

Hey all,

I started this 47 Gallon a few months ago, and so far, I'm loving it. It's an AIO, so considering the space the back chamber takes up, I'm essentially treating it as a 40B in terms of stocking. The long term plan for the tank is for it to be euphyllia-heavy with easier clams (Derasa). I don't plan on adding any small ornamental shrimp or crabs. The only fish occupant at the moment is a Pintail Wrasse, which I do understand may need an upgrade at some point in the future, but for the moment she's small, fat and healthy. I'd love to get more wrasses, as this is the first time I'm able to get more than the smallest of species. I'm interested in hearing some opinions on these choices:

- Flasher species (McCosker's or Carpenter preferably)
- Wetmorella species
- Pink Streak
- Some Halichoeres species (Melanurus and Yellow Coris seem to be the best options)
- Macropharyngodon species (when tank is more matured and pod population is stable)

Any of the larger growing species would be purchased on the smaller end of size. I'm familiar with the concept of acclimation boxes, so I'll be utilizing one if necessary. Order of introduction is also something I've read varying opinions of.

Outside of more wrasses, the only other fish I'm really considering are:

- Longnose or Flame Hawkfish (probably going to be my next addition)
- Gobies (Any of the Elacatinus genus, possibly a shrimp goby/pistol pair)

If anyone has any suggestions (or objections), feel free to let me know. I'm open to any advice! I'm also happy to provide any additional info.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Reefing_addiction]

@Slocke

 

[Slocke]

Hey all,

I started this 47 Gallon a few months ago, and so far, I'm loving it. It's an AIO, so considering the space the back chamber takes up, I'm essentially treating it as a 40B in terms of stocking. The long term plan for the tank is for it to be euphyllia-heavy with easier clams (Derasa). I don't plan on adding any small ornamental shrimp or crabs. The only fish occupant at the moment is a Pintail Wrasse, which I do understand may need an upgrade at some point in the future, but for the moment she's small, fat and healthy. I'd love to get more wrasses, as this is the first time I'm able to get more than the smallest of species. I'm interested in hearing some opinions on these choices:

- Flasher species (McCosker's or Carpenter preferably)

Flashers despite being small like longer tanks

- Wetmorella species

All are good

- Pink Streak

Same. Could even get a few

- Some Halichoeres species (Melanurus and Yellow Coris seem to be the best options)

Melanurus are too aggressive IMO yellows are good but are not Coris wrasse they are Halichoeres. My suggestion is the radiant as they are like a yellow but prettier

- Macropharyngodon species (when tank is more matured and pod population is stable)

I would suggest getting one earlier actually as they like peaceful tanks

I would also suggest a small fairy like a lubbocks

Any of the larger growing species would be purchased on the smaller end of size. I'm familiar with the concept of acclimation boxes, so I'll be utilizing one if necessary. Order of introduction is also something I've read varying opinions of.

Outside of more wrasses, the only other fish I'm really considering are:

- Longnose or Flame Hawkfish (probably going to be my next addition)

I wouldn't. Hawkfish are too aggressive in my experience.

- Gobies (Any of the Elacatinus genus, possibly a shrimp goby/pistol pair)

Don't do well with hawkfish. Otherwise fine

If anyone has any suggestions (or objections), feel free to let me know. I'm open to any advice! I'm also happy to provide any additional info.

Thanks in advance.

@i cant think is the king of wrasse experts
@JoJosReef is also a wrasse expert and has a similar tank size

 

[Teeter]

Melanurus are too aggressive IMO yellows are good but are not Coris wrasse they are Halichoeres. My suggestion is the radiant as they are like a yellow but prettier

My mistake, I’ve always known them as yellow “coris” despite knowing they aren’t lol. Strange common name to have.

I would suggest getting one earlier actually as they like peaceful tanks

Interesting. I’d love one of the “easier” species (bipartitus or meleagris if I’m not mistaken) if I’m able to find a healthy one in person

I would also suggest a small fairy like a lubbocks

would you recommend this even with the tank currently having a fairy? I’ve read about mixing Cirrhilabrus (I’ve spent a lot of time reading Hunter aka WrasseGuy’s work on the topic) but I’m not sure how well that specific combo would work.

I wouldn't. Hawkfish are too aggressive in my experience.

That’s a shame. The two I was deciding between were flame and longnose, which was eventually settled on longnose, as I’ve read flames are much more aggressive. If that’s the case though I’ll reconsider

@i cant think is the king of wrasse experts
@JoJosReef is also a wrasse expert and has a similar tank size

Thanks for sending them my way, I appreciate the response!

 

[Slocke]

My mistake, I’ve always known them as yellow “coris” despite knowing they aren’t lol. Strange common name to have.

I'm trying to change that. I've convinced the biggest stores to stop calling them that. This is also why my profile says I'm pedantic lol

Interesting. I’d love one of the “easier” species (bipartitus or meleagris if I’m not mistaken) if I’m able to find a healthy one in person

Yes! Bipartitus is the easiest I've found

would you recommend this even with the tank currently having a fairy? I’ve read about mixing Cirrhilabrus (I’ve spent a lot of time reading Hunter aka WrasseGuy’s work on the topic) but I’m not sure how well that specific combo would work.

Yes though a box may help. Having more then one is more likely to promote displaying and brighter colors

That’s a shame. The two I was deciding between were flame and longnose, which was eventually settled on longnose, as I’ve read flames are much more aggressive. If that’s the case though I’ll reconsider

Long nose is less aggressive but I've come to consider these fish to be a dangerous addition. My falco has killed and injured more fish then any other I've kept and I have kept some terrible fish

Thanks for sending them my way, I appreciate the response!

 

[Teeter]

I'm trying to change that. I've convinced the biggest stores to stop calling them that. This is also why my profile says I'm pedantic lol

Yes! Bipartitus is the easiest I've found

Yes though a box may help. Having more then one is more likely to promote displaying and brighter colors

That would be awesome. Even over the couple months I’ve had this pintail, the color changes have been incredible; very muted pink to a deeper pink with orange and yellow streaks. I’d love to see those colors get even more vibrant

Long nose is less aggressive but I've come to consider these fish to be a dangerous addition. My falco has killed and injured more fish then any other I've kept and I have kept some terrible fish

Gotcha, they were definitely on a “maybe” list so I’m not too disappointed.

Think adding a Lubbocks, Bipartitus, Wetmorella, and Halichoeres would be a good final stocking? Maybe a goby or something in there too. Sounds like a bit much now that I’m typing it out but I’m curious to know your opinion.

 

[Slocke]

That would be awesome. Even over the couple months I’ve had this pintail, the color changes have been incredible; very muted pink to a deeper pink with orange and yellow streaks. I’d love to see those colors get even more vibrant

Gotcha, they were definitely on a “maybe” list so I’m not too disappointed.

Think adding a Lubbocks, Bipartitus, Wetmorella, and Halichoeres would be a good final stocking? Maybe a goby or something in there too. Sounds like a bit much now that I’m typing it out but I’m curious to know your opinion.

Looks good. Hopefully @JoJosReef has an opinion as he has an incredible 40. I believe he has a yellow, a bipartitus, a pencil wrasse, a pair of pink streaks, and had a blenny. Perhaps look at his build thread in the meantime

 

[Teeter]

Looks good. Hopefully @JoJosReef has an opinion as he has an incredible 40. I believe he has a yellow, a bipartitus, a pencil wrasse, a pair of pink streaks, and had a blenny. Perhaps look at his build thread in the meantime

Oh wow, that’s great then. I’d love a blenny, but my only 100% safe option, at least based on my research, are fangs. Absolutely love how those guys look but having clams limits me on anything outside of that group.

And I’ll check out that thread!

 

[JoJosReef]

Sorry, I've been traveling!

For a 40B, I would stick to fairies, Halichoeres, possums, pinkies and leopards. I decided after much internal debate that I would hold off on flashers till I had a 4ft length tank--size of the fish wasn't the issue, their zoomy behavior was.

Yellow wrasse (Halichoeres chrysus) is great, and you can sub it with a silver belly (Halichoeres leucoxanthus) if you like more color contrast--ask @tbrown about the leuco. In that tank you moght also be fine with a radiant (Halichoeres iridis) since you have the extra 7 gal going to the AIO (as opposed to my 40 where part of the space is AIO).

I don't think you need to wait on an established pod population to get a leopard. They aren't dependent on pods and they'll decimate the pod population on Day 2 in any case. If they are comfortable in your tank and healthy (not banged up, broken nose/back from shipping), then they will learn to eat everything. I started mine off on Reef Nutrition ROE, because it seems all fish are happy to eat eggs. Then to more food and finally TDO pellets, and it eats everything.

A pair of pinkies is an absolute delight to watch. They are cute, funny and like to hang out together.

Fairies are trickier. I've had a brunneus and a pintail (C. isosceles). Great fish and peaceful. Unfortunately both lost to unnatural causes. Check the wrasseguy for advice on mixing other fairies with your pintail. If you have pinkies or possums, I would personally only get two fairies, unless you feed HEAVY, because otherwise feeding time might become insanity and the pinkies/possums are going to get too stressed to eat.

Welcome to the wrasse addicts club! I've got about 10 more planned for my upgrade!

 

[tbrown]

I love my leucoxanthus but she grew up so fast! Beautiful fish.

The thing with leucoxanthus is that their face markings are not as bold as others in the Halichoeres genera. She's now a he.

 

[PR_nano]

Personally, I will skip the carpenter in that tank. I have one in a (36*18*18) and he’s a PITA trying to search for possible replacement. Here are my others:

Redfin Fairy Wrasse
Pink Streak Wrasse
Halichoeres Chrysus (Need to move him)
Red Fire Goby
Royal Gramma

 

[Teeter]

Sorry, I've been traveling!

Thanks so much for chiming in!

For a 40B, I would stick to fairies, Halichoeres, possums, pinkies and leopards. I decided after much internal debate that I would hold off on flashers till I had a 4ft length tank--size of the fish wasn't the issue, their zoomy behavior was.

Gotcha, flashers aren't at the top of my list anyway, so no biggie there.

Yellow wrasse (Halichoeres chrysus) is great, and you can sub it with a silver belly (Halichoeres leucoxanthus) if you like more color contrast--ask @tbrown about the leuco. In that tank you moght also be fine with a radiant (Halichoeres iridis) since you have the extra 7 gal going to the AIO (as opposed to my 40 where part of the space is AIO).

I'll probably end up going with chrysus; that yellow color is beautiful, but I'll be sure to check out the other Halichoeres species mentioned as well.

I don't think you need to wait on an established pod population to get a leopard. They aren't dependent on pods and they'll decimate the pod population on Day 2 in any case. If they are comfortable in your tank and healthy (not banged up, broken nose/back from shipping), then they will learn to eat everything. I started mine off on Reef Nutrition ROE, because it seems all fish are happy to eat eggs. Then to more food and finally TDO pellets, and it eats everything.

I stopped by my LFS today, and apparently they JUST got a handful of M. bipartitus in an hour before I got there, so I'll be stopping by tomorrow when they're a bit more settled in to check them out. Fingers crossed they're in good shape and eating. Alternatively, buying one from DrReef is really tempting, but $200 + shipping for a fish that is a notoriously bad shipper just seems like a bad idea.

A pair of pinkies is an absolute delight to watch. They are cute, funny and like to hang out together.

With the pink streakeds, would buying two just always result in a pair? I know Pseudocheilinops don't display sexual dimorphism, but do they start as females like other genuses do? Does the same go for Macropharyngodon?

Fairies are trickier. I've had a brunneus and a pintail (C. isosceles). Great fish and peaceful. Unfortunately both lost to unnatural causes. Check the wrasseguy for advice on mixing other fairies with your pintail. If you have pinkies or possums, I would personally only get two fairies, unless you feed HEAVY, because otherwise feeding time might become insanity and the pinkies/possums are going to get too stressed to eat.

I think I'll stay away from a second fairy. The only one I REALLY want is C. naokoae, and I don't think it'd do well in my tank size...plus possums are just way too cute to pass up.

Welcome to the wrasse addicts club! I've got about 10 more planned for my upgrade!

Thanks! Outside of gobies and a handful of other fish, wrasses are really my main interest fish-wise. I'm sure this tank will lead to an even larger upgrade in the near future (Also, your fish are beautiful!)

 

[Teeter]

I love my leucoxanthus but she grew up so fast! Beautiful fish.

The thing with leucoxanthus is that their face markings are not as bold as others in the Halichoeres genera. She's now a he.

beautiful! The body shape of Halichoeres looks so goofy to me

 

[Teeter]

Personally, I will skip the carpenter in that tank. I have one in a (36*18*18) and he’s a PITA trying to search for possible replacement. Here are my others:

Redfin Fairy Wrasse
Pink Streak Wrasse
Halichoeres Chrysus (Need to move him)
Red Fire Goby
Royal Gramma

They all fare well with your clam? I don't plan on relying on the Halichoeres for pest control, but I certainly don't mind it lol

 

[Slocke]

Thanks so much for chiming in!

Gotcha, flashers aren't at the top of my list anyway, so no biggie there.

I'll probably end up going with chrysus; that yellow color is beautiful, but I'll be sure to check out the other Halichoeres species mentioned as well.

I stopped by my LFS today, and apparently they JUST got a handful of M. bipartitus in an hour before I got there, so I'll be stopping by tomorrow when they're a bit more settled in to check them out. Fingers crossed they're in good shape and eating. Alternatively, buying one from DrReef is really tempting, but $200 + shipping for a fish that is a notoriously bad shipper just seems like a bad idea.

With the pink streakeds, would buying two just always result in a pair? I know Pseudocheilinops don't display sexual dimorphism, but do they start as females like other genuses do? Does the same go for Macropharyngodon?

Pseudocheilinops do show sexual dimorphism. Where are you @i cant think??

All Labridae and Scarridae, wrasse and parrotfish,start life as female and can transition to male later in life. Some have been documented to return to female but this is very rare.

I think I'll stay away from a second fairy. The only one I REALLY want is C. naokoae, and I don't think it'd do well in my tank size...plus possums are just way too cute to pass up.

Thanks! Outside of gobies and a handful of other fish, wrasses are really my main interest fish-wise. I'm sure this tank will lead to an even larger upgrade in the near future (Also, your fish are beautiful!)

Here’s C rubeus which is very close to C naokoae. Then some H iridis and M bipartitus for fun

 

[PR_nano]

They all fare well with your clam? I don't plan on relying on the Halichoeres for pest control, but I certainly don't mind it lol

Non are interested or bother the clam. The only other invert that has made it closed for a bit longer than usual was the urchin giving it a clean shell. Even the peppermint doesn’t bother it.

 

[Teeter]

Pseudocheilinops do show sexual dimorphism. Where are you @i cant think??

All Labridae and Scarridae, wrasse and parrotfish,start life as female and can transition to male later in life. Some have been documented to return to female but this is very rare.

Here’s C rubeus which is very close to C naokoae. Then some H iridis and M bipartitus for fun

Oops, my bad, I was confusing the genus with Pseudocheilinus

Rubeus is a beauty! And I love seeing those two chillin together lol

 

[Teeter]

Non are interested or bother the clam. The only other invert that has made it closed for a bit longer than usual was the urchin giving it a clean shell. Even the peppermint doesn’t bother it.

Awesome. Until I changed my lighting to have higher blue intensity (absolutely impossible to see anything but an explosion of blue now) , I had a wifi camera I'd use to check on my tank while at work. I swear, every time I looked, my pintail would be hovering near and circling the clams. I knew the chances of her deciding to pick at the mantle were extremely slim, but I think she just wanted to stress me out lol

 

[Slocke]

Oops, my bad, I was confusing the genus with Pseudocheilinus

Rubeus is a beauty! And I love seeing those two chillin together lol

I wouldn't be surprised if Pseudocheilinus also has subtle signs of sexual dimorphism but Id have to do more research then I want to right now. Also there are males who use “female mimicry” to fake being female and mate without being chased off by the dominant male.

Sexual identify is complicated.

 

[JoJosReef]

Forgot to add my wrasse video:

New video by Joseph Campo

photos.app.goo.gl