Are paddlefin wrasse really that bad?

[cww81]

The gf came home today with a beautiful paddlefin wrasse, the only problem is that she didn't do the research on It that she said she did. I quickly found out that these fish can eat our crab/snail clean up crew as well as our peppermint shrimp. Should I follow my gut after reading so many articles advising against these fish? I'm just wondering what everyone's opinions are on these fish and how safe, or lack thereof, they are?

 

[Eddie7144]

In my opinion, I'd say go for it. I have 9 wrasse in my tank, and while they can go after the cuc, they usually only eat the small ones. Your shrimp maybe at risk but I would t worry about it.

 

[IKD]

I don’t own one, but my previous research showed they were highly aggressive/territorial. Hopefully some personal experiences from others can validate.

 

[cww81]

Thanks to both of you, the fish looks pretty cool but I've also heard they can be aggressive and really don’t want anything to happen with that either.

 

[mattzang]

i'd never put a thalassoma wrasse in anything other than an aggressive predator type tank

 

[Dbichler]

I have A paddle fin with a bird wrasse and a banana wrasse in my 210. But I also have a huma huma. If snails flip over the paddlefin will eat them but the only one that seeks out snails is the huma.

 

[Strat1960s]

Its been over a year since you added the Paddle Fin. Hows it doing??
I just put a 3 inch Paddle Fin in my QT tank.

 

[cww81]

Its been over a year since you added the Paddle Fin. Hows it doing??
I just put a 3 inch Paddle Fin in my QT tank.

Overall it has been a good member of the tank. He isn’t aggressive at all, but he does tend to take advantage of some cleanup crew that have flipped over. He has a ton of personally and is ALWAYS out and about. He’s still pretty small and young (about 2-3 inches) but so far so good!

 

[IKD]

Overall it has been a good member of the tank. He isn’t aggressive at all, but he does tend to take advantage of some cleanup crew that have flipped over. He has a ton of personally and is ALWAYS out and about. He’s still pretty small and young (about 2-3 inches) but so far so good!

Any pics to share?

 

[cww81]

Any pics to share?

This is him! Plenty more pictures but pretty blurry; he NEVER slows down, always moving fast

 

[IKD]

This is him! Plenty more pictures but pretty blurry; he NEVER slows down, always moving fast

Cool! Didn’t know he was a juvenile. Hopefully he stays friendly for you!

 

[Strat1960s]

Here is my Paddle fin.