Adding more wrasses + others (47G)

[JoJosReef]

My tailspot blenny likes to peck at clam mantles, so you're probably right in not adding a blenny.

 

[Teeter]

My tailspot blenny likes to peck at clam mantles, so you're probably right in not adding a blenny.

Yeah I’ve heard they’re one of the worst offenders. Really unfortunate cause theyre adorable lol

 

[Teeter]

Question for y’all:

LFS has a tiny white banded possum that’s calling my name. When I say tiny, I mean tiny. Like maybe an inch long. If I were to buy it, I have two main concerns:

1. Should I use an acclimation box? I figure there’s no harm but I’m interested in others’ opinions.
2. Would my pintail fairy mess with it? I don’t see anything on them being a more aggressive fairy, but still, always a concern. I suppose by doing the acclimation box can answer this anyway.

Also, is mixing Wetmorella species possible?

 

[tbrown]

Question for y’all:

LFS has a tiny white banded possum that’s calling my name. When I say tiny, I mean tiny. Like maybe an inch long. If I were to buy it, I have two main concerns:

1. Should I use an acclimation box? I figure there’s no harm but I’m interested in others’ opinions.
2. Would my pintail fairy mess with it? I don’t see anything on them being a more aggressive fairy, but still, always a concern. I suppose by doing the acclimation box can answer this anyway.

Also, is mixing Wetmorella species possible?

If it's that small there's a very real possibility it can escape from the acclimation box.

I don't have experience with the aggression side of it but I would assume that they would leave it alone due to the fact that they inhabit and hunt different locations in the water/tank.

 

[Teeter]

If it's that small there's a very real possibility it can escape from the acclimation box.

I don't have experience with the aggression side of it but I would assume that they would leave it alone due to the fact that they inhabit and hunt different locations in the water/tank.

Honestly my “acclimation box” would just be one of the petsmart/petco cricket keepers. I’d just use one of these with those two tube holes blocked off. I’ve read they’re a great and very cheap solution.

 

[JoJosReef]

I think you'll be fine with the pintail. Mixing wetmorella could result in aggression. One of those, you'll have to see things.

 

[JoJosReef]

Honestly my “acclimation box” would just be one of the petsmart/petco cricket keepers. I’d just use one of these with those two tube holes blocked off. I’ve read they’re a great and very cheap solution.

I would put the wetmorella right in. @i cant think think might jave better advice for adding this species.

 

[Teeter]

I think you'll be fine with the pintail. Mixing wetmorella could result in aggression. One of those, you'll have to see things.

Gotcha. Figured since they’re such passive little guys they wouldn’t have an issue mixing, but that’s also not how things work with conspecifics of any species lol

 

[i cant think]

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.

1. What are the dimensions?
2. How deep is the sandbed?
3. Never. Mix wrasses with hawkfish, I’ve done it several times and every time has gone horribly with the hawk being way too aggressive (not even territorial, just out right aggressive).

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?

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!)

Pink Streaks are actually surprisingly obvious in males vs females - if I can get/find a photo of my pair together you’ll see how clear the difference is.
But here’s a bunch of females and a single male (all 4 of these I’ve had and have owned 6-7 of this species).

However, if you get 2 small ones (the size of a trochus snail or smaller) 9/10 times you’ve got a pair.

 

[SpyC]

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!

Do you have any thoughts on adding a 2nd pink streak to one already established in a tank? I would love to get a second, but was informed they would not get a log, but then I see posts stating no issues. Obviously depends on the fish, but curious if you had any insight

 

[JoJosReef]

Do you have any thoughts on adding a 2nd pink streak to one already established in a tank? I would love to get a second, but was informed they would not get a log, but then I see posts stating no issues. Obviously depends on the fish, but curious if you had any insight

Mine came in together, one male and one female. I would post a pic of your pinkie for @i cant think to ID and see if you can get an opposite sex. @i cant think think what are the odds of aggression with a newly introduced pinkie of the opposite sex?

 

[Teeter]

1. What are the dimensions?
2. How deep is the sandbed?
3. Never. Mix wrasses with hawkfish, I’ve done it several times and every time has gone horribly with the hawk being way too aggressive (not even territorial, just out right aggressive).


Pink Streaks are actually surprisingly obvious in males vs females - if I can get/find a photo of my pair together you’ll see how clear the difference is.
But here’s a bunch of females and a single male (all 4 of these I’ve had and have owned 6-7 of this species).

However, if you get 2 small ones (the size of a trochus snail or smaller) 9/10 times you’ve got a pair.

1. Dimensions are 36”x15”x16”
2. Sandbed is a little over an inch but deeper in some places. If I add a halichoeres or leopard I will definitely be making deeper areas.

Those pink streaks are super cute!

 

[Teeter]

I ended up getting that "white banded" possum yesterday! There was no species name on the label, but it looks more like a Tanaka to me. Could anyone confirm? Anyway...

The little guy hid for maybe 5 minutes after acclimation and has been out and active ever since. He's always looking for pods and ate brine right away. The pintail hasn't even acknowledged his existence, so no issues there (fingers crossed but I'm not really worried).

Totally loving this guy. If the other LFS still has any leopard wrasses left in a couple weeks (they just got them in, and I don't wanna buy one THIS soon after arrival), I'll make sure they're eating, healthy, etc., and may pick one of those up.

 

[JoJosReef]

I ended up getting that "white banded" possum yesterday! There was no species name on the label, but it looks more like a Tanaka to me. Could anyone confirm? Anyway...

The little guy hid for maybe 5 minutes after acclimation and has been out and active ever since. He's always looking for pods and ate brine right away. The pintail hasn't even acknowledged his existence, so no issues there (fingers crossed but I'm not really worried).

Totally loving this guy. If the other LFS still has any leopard wrasses left in a couple weeks (they just got them in, and I don't wanna buy one THIS soon after arrival), I'll make sure they're eating, healthy, etc., and may pick one of those up.

Beautiful possum!

 

[Tamberav]

I ended up getting that "white banded" possum yesterday! There was no species name on the label, but it looks more like a Tanaka to me. Could anyone confirm? Anyway...

The little guy hid for maybe 5 minutes after acclimation and has been out and active ever since. He's always looking for pods and ate brine right away. The pintail hasn't even acknowledged his existence, so no issues there (fingers crossed but I'm not really worried).

Totally loving this guy. If the other LFS still has any leopard wrasses left in a couple weeks (they just got them in, and I don't wanna buy one THIS soon after arrival), I'll make sure they're eating, healthy, etc., and may pick one of those up.

Looks like a yellow banded one to me. When juvies, they have white stripes that fade as they age.

I haven’t seen a Tanaka in ages.

 

[Teeter]

Looks like a yellow banded one to me. When tiny, they have white stripes that fade.

I haven’t seen a Tanaka in ages.

Welp, after 30 seconds of googling, it appears you are 100% correct lol. That explains why I was having trouble identifying which species it really was. No biggie except that I overpaid tremendously; TSA charges (as of yesterday) $90 for a Yellow banded, and $140 for a White banded

 

[i cant think]

Welp, after 30 seconds of googling, it appears you are 100% correct lol. That explains why I was having trouble identifying which species it really was. No biggie except that I overpaid tremendously; TSA charges (as of yesterday) $90 for a Yellow banded, and $140 for a White banded

I’ve never realised how expensive possums were over there, over here all of them are in the higher double digits but almost never into the triple digits.

 

[Teeter]

I’ve never realised how expensive possums were over there, over here all of them are in the higher double digits but almost never into the triple digits.

They’re definitely a bit pricey. If it were cheaper I wouldn’t care too much; I wasn’t looking for a white banded specifically, and this guy’s cool, so I’m just hoping for store credit or something at this point.