Can I keep a harem on Flasher or Fairy wrasses?

[csb123]

I’m giving up on keeping anthias. In my system my lyretails, would do fine for months, then gradually they would vanish one by one, despite my best efforts. I don’t want to keep replacing them.

So, I’m moving on. As the title suggests I’m looking to have a harem of Flasher or Fairy wrasses.

What has your experience been, and is it feasible?

 

[dbp99]

I have about twenty total wrasses and many have male/female combo and I have a few in a harem. Oddly, one is two males and a female (Hooded) in a 150 Deep - go figure. It can be easily done! Good luck and wrasses are the best fish to have (in my opinion)!! Dave

 

[eatbreakfast]

Correctly identifying female flashers is difficult.

Oftentimes female flasher and fairy wrasses will transition into males even if a male is present. And males of the same species can be substantially more aggressive to males of the same species than they are to males of other species. So it is unlikely that males of the same species will coexist longterm(you should be getting 5+yrs on fairy wrasses). There are exceptions however, but this is usually related to tank size and popultion density.

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

When keeping multiples of the same species, you will end up with multiple males which won't work out.

Better to keep singles from different species.

 

[csb123]

Can you keep singles of different species, even if they look very similar?

 

[eatbreakfast]

Can you keep singles of different species, even if they look very similar?

In most cases, yes, though some of the fairy wrasses are less tolerant of others in their complex.

 

[Fifty8reef]

Great topic this was my next question

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

Follow this:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/c...feriority-need-not-apply-1st-revision.322326/

 

[csb123]

Follow this:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/c...feriority-need-not-apply-1st-revision.322326/

Great reference!

 

[alton]

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/vide...ing-cirrhilabrus-wrasses-macna-speakers-2017/

 

[evolved]

In short, it is not at all likely to work out.
Start here: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/pairing-wrasses-thats-not-how-any-of-this-works.258310/

Then this: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/all-about-reef-safe-wrasses-in-aquaria.259894/

Then if you are gravitating towards Cirrhilabrus (fairy) wrasses, go to the next link:

Follow this:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/c...feriority-need-not-apply-1st-revision.322326/

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/vide...ing-cirrhilabrus-wrasses-macna-speakers-2017/

Thanks; the link above this one has the chart I presented in this video.

 

[evolved]

After all that, if you really want to try, the best chances of doing it successfully would lie with Macropharyngodon wrasses. But then they won't really be the open water swimmers that I think you're looking for with an Anthias replacement.