Flame wrasse tank size?

Eienna · Feb 10, 2013

I'm seeing conflicting information on just how big a tank that a flame wrasse requires. I've seen it from 50 all the way to 90, but I want one very very much for my future FOWLR tank (which at present is only 50g), so I'd like some opinions. Could I keep just one? The 50's 4ft long...would it make much difference if I upgraded to a taller tank that's still 4 feet long?

Downbeach · Feb 10, 2013

The Fairy Wrasses: Cirrhilabrus spp. - Reefkeeping.com

greybolt03 · Feb 10, 2013

Here is the info off of live aquaria

*QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 90 gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78Â° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 4"
Color Form: Orange, Red, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Hawaii
Family: Labridae

What do these Quick Stats mean? Click here

overview
The Flame Fairy Wrasse is also referred to as Jordan's Fairy Wrasse, or Jordan's Wrasse. The male has a bright golden body with red ornamentation on the fins. The females generally do not have quite as bold markings as the males.
A 90 gallon or larger aquarium, either fish-only or reef, with a shaded area is recommended. The Flame Wrasse will not bother corals or invertebrates, which makes them the ideal fish for a reef aquarium. These fish do like to jump, so a tight fitting canopy is required.

The Flame Fairy Wrasse diet should include vitamin enriched frozen mysis shrimp, vitamin enriched frozen brine shrimp, and other meaty foods along with a high quality marine flake and marine pellet food.

Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 1-1/2" to 2" Medium: 2" to 3"; Large: 3" to 4"

Eienna · Feb 11, 2013

Do any of you know why they need such big tanks? They're so small...

Eienna · Feb 11, 2013

Downbeach said:
The Fairy Wrasses: Cirrhilabrus spp. - Reefkeeping.com

This has a lot of good info - thanks!!

Eienna · Feb 11, 2013

And would someone tell me where the edit and delete links are...?

I guess they're not so small....4" is a substantial fish...

evolved · Feb 11, 2013

Eienna said:
Do any of you know why they need such big tanks? They're so small...

They're not that small.

A 90 is an absolute minimum IMO; I'd rather see a 120 as a min.

They are very active fish, and they need that much room to be comfortable.

Cramping a fish won't bode well for it's long term health.

Eienna · Feb 11, 2013

OK. I guess a flame's out. Can anyone suggest a cool wrasse that is reef-safe and WOULD live happily in a 50g?

Blasto · Feb 11, 2013

Six line wrasse is a neat fish. Reef safe, very active and adds colors to the tank. Fairly small and not hard on the wallet. Eyes are neat as well IMO.

bct15 · Feb 11, 2013

Eienna said:
OK. I guess a flame's out. Can anyone suggest a cool wrasse that is reef-safe and WOULD live happily in a 50g?

Do you have a sand bed? Yellow coris wrasse if you do, you won't regret it. It is listed as non reef safe, but it is very much reef safe.

Eienna · Feb 12, 2013

bct15 said:
Do you have a sand bed? Yellow coris wrasse if you do, you won't regret it. It is listed as non reef safe, but it is very much reef safe.

I don't have a salt setup yet. I'm doing my research first n_n I also need to paint the stand for the tank I'm moving my freshwater buddies into. Thanks for the info!

Eienna · Feb 12, 2013

Blasto said:
Six line wrasse is a neat fish. Reef safe, very active and adds colors to the tank. Fairly small and not hard on the wallet. Eyes are neat as well IMO.

I have heard of six-lines being aggressive...I'd much rather have fish that won't fight much. Thanks, though! :)

bct15 · Feb 12, 2013

Eienna said:
I have heard of six-lines being aggressive...I'd much rather have fish that won't fight much. Thanks, though! :)

Yeah I have had a few wrasses here is the list

Yellow coris
Flame wrasse trio
Sixline
Linespot flashe
Mccosker flasher
Anothe Farie wrasse but think of what kind

I would never recomend a sixline to anyone ever, they start off cool and nice but if you ever add any other wrasse it WILL kill it. Sixlines are the devil fish, do not, I repeat, do not, get a sixline of you ever plan to have another type of wrasse. It took my sixline about a year to turn evil and when it did it was insane, it killed a flame wrasse four to five times it's size. An relentlessly for 24 hours straight every day attacked every other wrasse in the tank, the other wrasses just cowered in the corners and bottom while this thing bombarded them with attack after attack. My tank is 5 1/2 feet long and about two feet wide and about 28 inches tall, and it was attacking fish in the entire tank. My favorite out of all of my wrasses was my yellow wrasse, had green warpaint on his face, always out, and kept my bristle worm population down. Unfortunately my two year old carried him up to me the other day and said he took it from my dog, so apparently it jumped to its death even though there is about a nine inch difference between my water line and te lip of my tank. Had it for about two years, going to have the LFS order me another one tomorrow. And they are not expensive at all, about the same as a sixline. Radiant wrasses are the same family halychoeres, which the entire family is mislabeled as non reef safe but they all are.

PS, a sixline is next to impossible to catch.

Reef@holic · Feb 12, 2013

Definitely go with a flasher or mcoskers wrasse! Beautiful, relatively inexpensive, and much better mannered! Stay away from mystery and 6-line, absolute punks when introducing new tank mates. My mystery killed a trio of sunburst anthias I got, needless to say I tore the tank down just to get him out and no longer have him.