Best Pest Eating Wrasse?

[Capitol Reef Corals]

I would like to add a wrasse or two to my 3 year old Red Sea Reefer 350 to control any pest populations that might appear. My system is currently bare bottom but I would add a container of sand behind the rock work for them to sleep in.

In your opinion what's the best wrasse to add to control pests without being a bully?

I was thinking about the six line wrasse since it is small, cheap, and seems to do a good job. But people say to not get it due to its aggressive behavior?

 

[USMC 4 LIFE]

Yellow coris wrasse is a great hunter, great vibrant yellow, low cost and peaceful.

 

[dson78]

I have a six line wrasse and a yellow coris wrasse and they are great at picking away at pests/pods all day. The six line is way more aggressive to other tank mates but nothing too serious.

 

[mahindra.dev]

@evolved @eatbreakfast @Labridaedicted thoughts, inputs!!!

 

[rossco]

Melanarus wrasse is my favorite pest hunter.

 

[lion king]

Do a pink streaked instead of a sixline, very similar except the pink streaked is very peaceful. A great worker, very beautiful(pics don't do them justice), and very under rated. The pink streaked with a yellow coris would be a great pair.

 

[Capitol Reef Corals]

Do a pink streaked instead of a sixline, very similar except the pink streaked is very peaceful. A great worker, very beautiful(pics don't do them justice), and very under rated. The pink streaked with a yellow coris would be a great pair.

Wow never heard of that fish before. Looks very beautiful even from your picture. Will definitely check into that one!

 

[urban coral farmer]

My sixline is allways picking at the rocks

 

[datoneazn]

I have both 6line and Yellow coris JB one tank just the 6line is aggressive lol

 

[Greybeard]

I've had many wrasses. The two commonly mentioned above being my favorites... six line and yellow coris.

One possible alternative... I'm running an open top system, and don't want to be picking up dead wrasses. Bought a bi-color goatfish. He's as good a pest picker as most wrasses, also constantly turning the surface layer of sand over, and is much less likely to go carpet surfing.

 

[Scurvy]

I evicted my 6 line in favor of other fish. He didn't like anyone else nevermind other wrasse. My favorite hunter is the Radiant wrasse.

 

[jp_75]

pink streaked is super cool! always curious how hard it could be to qt? i know they don’t ship well....

 

[datoneazn]

I evicted my 6 line in favor of other fish. He didn't like anyone else nevermind other wrasse. My favorite hunter is the Radiant wrasse.

I might evict my 6 line for this one now wow it’s pretty

 

[FredsNJReef]

I have a yellow Coris wrasse and he's awesome AND peaceful!
But that Radiant looks amazing!!

 

[declanisadog]

Mystery Wrasse is my personal favorite. I also like six lines. I currently have an atypically peaceful one in my office tank that is full of personality.

 

[shifty2427]

(Leopard wrasse) I bought a coral from a LFS without dipping... I know don’t beat me up... and it had flat worms within a couple days they were everywhere, I purchased a Leopard and no kidding in about 4 days no flat worms in sight.

 

[evolved]

If your tank is covered and you have a sand bed (or willing to add a sand box), then my favorites are definitely Halichoeres species, specifically:
Halichoeres iridis, Halichoeres chrysus, and Halichoeres claudia. Also Halichoeres melanurus if you're willing to risk a bit more aggression potential.

If you don't want sand at all, then Pseudocheilinops ataenia is a good choice, although the tank should still be covered.

Species of the Pseudocheilinus (sixline, mystery, et al) are only good choices if they are the only fish in the tank (ie - frag tank).

 

[eatbreakfast]

I have had to remove more sixlines from customers tanks than any other fish. The vast majority become horrible jerks.

Small Halichoeres species on the other hand are fantastic additions to a tank.

 

[declanisadog]

I can't speak for how well they remove pests as I never had any in the tank that housed her, but my favorite fish I've ever owned was a red tail tamarin wrasse. She was definitely a nonstop hunter. I wouldn't recommend any of the anampses to anyone who can't dedicate the time to proper feeding, but they are super cool fish.

 

[Jesterrace]

I have had to remove more sixlines from customers tanks than any other fish. The vast majority become horrible jerks.

Small Halichoeres species on the other hand are fantastic additions to a tank.

Agreed. Every time I see someone recommend one like it's no big deal, I make it very clear that the potential newbie knows exactly what they are getting into with one. I have visited enough forums and seen enough horror stories on them that I believe you have a better chance of having a Dwarf Angel not nip at your corals than having a peaceful 6 line.