Best Wrasse for Nano mixed reef

[PNWreefer97]

Hi, I’m new to the forum and almost cycled in my first system. It’s a 38 gallon Fiji cube AIO peninsula with dry rock and ocean direct sand. I was hoping y’all could help me decide on a wrasse species for the tank. I want to have the utility that comes with pest eating wrasse but I don’t want to have to worry too much about them eating inverts as I will be adding some cleaner shrimp and fire shrimp along with snails and hermits. I want a colorful species and like I said, I prefer it to have tendencies for hunting down pests like bristle worms and flat worms. What are some of my best options?

I appreciate any input!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

@i cant think

 

[Daniel Doherty]

Pink streak wrasse and possum wrasse are great wrasse for smaller tanks in my opinion

 

[PNWreefer97]

I specifically like the Halichoeres types of wrasses but I know they are the most inclined for eating inverts. Is there a specific type that tends to avoid this?

 

[dedragon]

i wouldnt put any halichoerus in such a small tank. maybe a small fairy wrasse like carpenter but still they might be stressed. better off with these as they said

Pink streak wrasse and possum wrasse are great wrasse for smaller tanks in my opinion

remember aio also takes away from overall display tank volume

 

[fishface NJ]

I specifically like the Halichoeres types of wrasses but I know they are the most inclined for eating inverts. Is there a specific type that tends to avoid this?

Halichoeres need a tank larger than your 38g.

Yellow Banded Possum Wrasse, Pink-Streaked Wrasse, White Banded Possum Wrasse, and Tanaka's Pygmy Wrasse are Reef safe.

 

[PNWreefer97]

i wouldnt put any halichoerus in such a small tank. maybe a small fairy wrasse like carpenter but still they might be stressed. better off with these as they said

Pink streak wrasse and possum wrasse are great wrasse for smaller tanks in my opinion

remember aio also takes away from overall display tank volume

Thanks for the info. Do the possum wrasse’s do a decent job with pest control?

 

[Cervial]

Do you have a pest problem you need resolved?

 

[JoJosReef]

What are the tank dimensions? A Halichoeres chrysus, leucoxanthus, biocellatus or claudia might work.

Agree though that a pink streak or possum would be best. A lined wrasse like sixline, mystery or 4-line maybe if it's the only wrasse.

 

[Macropharyngodon]

Thanks for the info. Do the possum wrasse’s do a decent job with pest control?

Possums love microfauna! But I dunno how well they do with like pyramid worms and stuff.

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

I have a 36 gal mixed reef with a Six-line Wrasse. He has been a model citizen. It may depend on your other fish, though. They get mixed reviews. Other fish in my tank:
Neon Dottyback
Banggai Cardinalfish
Chromis
Yellow Clown Goby
Cherub Angelfish

 

[Daniel Doherty]

I think pink streak are supposed to be good for eupheylia eating flatworms. From what I’ve seen they’re very similar to possum wrasses which I’ve never kept. My pink streak was a great little fella and lived 7 years. He didn’t bother a thing and kind of just buzzed around slowly with these orange eyes.
I’ve also heard you can keep groups of both species

 

[LinZ]

I keep a possum in my nano and he just picks at pods, but never touched flatworms. I think the pink streaked are better known for pest control. Love my possum though!