Aggressive wrasse reef tank

Waters · May 16, 2016

My once juvenile Tusk is starting to become somewhat aggressive to my other fish (mainly my smaller leopard and flasher wrasses). They have all been fine together for a long time but as the Tusk grows, he gets worse and worse. Unfortunately I do not want to get rid of the Tusk. I am contemplating a semi-aggressive wrasse tank with some of the Thalassoma wrasses......is this doable or where there be constant fighting? The tusk currently leaves along the only other "big" fish in the tank which is a Kole Tang.

eatbreakfast · May 16, 2016

Add the Thalassoma wrasses last, they can be pretty nasty. The large Coris species, such as red, formosa, and twin spot. Some of the hogfish, spanish, cuban, or peppermint, dragon wrasse or razor wrasse, even a quoyi parrot, should all work.

Waters · May 16, 2016

Ok thanks.....I don't want to give up on Wrasses but my smaller, docile species are constantly being chased by the Tusk. I already do not have any snails or hermits obviously so I won't be giving up on anything there by getting some of these more aggressive, non-reef safe wrasses. Unfortunately I cannot keep angels/butterflies due to my coral so wrasses are all if have left :-)

evolved · May 16, 2016

Just be aware if going the Thalassoma & Coris route, that keeping motile inverts will be difficult and anything not glued down or loose on the sand is likely to get flipped over.

Waters · May 16, 2016

evolved said:
Just be aware if going the Thalassoma & Coris route, that keeping motile inverts will be difficult and anything not glued down or loose on the sand is likely to get flipped over.

Thanks for the heads up.....unfortunately with the Tusk, I have already had to forgo any mobile inverts (other than a large Coral Banded Shrimp which only comes out at night and an Urchin that is left alone). I also do not have anything on the sand so I should be good. I do have one Squasoma Clam though which might have to go. Do either of those species of Wrasse naturally eat clams? My Tusk leaves alone my Squasoma but did destroy my Maxima that I added after the Tusk.

Triggreef · May 17, 2016

Could go either way with the clams. Don't forget a few more good options like blue jaw triggers, red tail trigger, rabbit fish, damsels.

Waters · May 17, 2016

Triggreef said:
Could go either way with the clams. Don't forget a few more good options like blue jaw triggers, red tail trigger, rabbit fish, damsels.

I have already tried the Blue Jaw (Triggers are some of my favorite fish......but unfortunately I like some of the more aggressive triggers like the Picasso. I have also tried a One Spot Foxface but had to remove him due to coral picking.) Damsels are always a possibility....thanks for the options.