Looking for help with wrasses selection

[650Bob08]

I'm looking for suggestions on fairy wrasses I might add to my DT. The tank is 9x36x38 and currently houses the following wrasses:

Halichoeres

Melanurus
Yellow Coris
Earmuff
Radiant (currently in QT)

Cirrhilabrus
Orange Back
Exquisite
Lineatus
Labouti
Naoki
Rosy Scaled
splendid pintail

Anampses
China Wrasse

I really like the Solar wrasse and Blue throat wrasses, but am concerned about high levels of aggression in my wrasse community. Flashers are also potentially interesting, but at this point the community may be too boisterous for them to settle in. Other tank residents include an assortment of tangs, Genicanthus angelfish, Gold flake and Majestic angels, Pyramid butterflyfish and (5) engineer gobies. The tank is currently a FOWLR system, but hoping to start adding some easy corals next year.

Thanks for your advice on Fairy wrasses I might add. I really enjoy the ones I have, and while there is an occasional dispute, overall they get along.

 

[i cant think]

I'm looking for suggestions on fairy wrasses I might add to my DT. The tank is 9x36x38 and currently houses the following wrasses:

Halichoeres

Melanurus
Yellow Coris
Earmuff
Radiant (currently in QT)

Cirrhilabrus
Orange Back
Exquisite
Lineatus
Labouti
Naoki
Rosy Scaled
splendid pintail

Anampses
China Wrasse

I really like the Solar wrasse and Blue throat wrasses, but am concerned about high levels of aggression in my wrasse community. Flashers are also potentially interesting, but at this point the community may be too boisterous for them to settle in. Other tank residents include an assortment of tangs, Genicanthus angelfish, Gold flake and Majestic angels, Pyramid butterflyfish and (5) engineer gobies. The tank is currently a FOWLR system, but hoping to start adding some easy corals next year.

Thanks for your advice on Fairy wrasses I might add. I really enjoy the ones I have, and while there is an occasional dispute, overall they get along.

Drop the Pintail, that guy will go in and wither away due to too much activity - these guys need to be in first with a calm environment otherwise they don’t do well.
The Lineatus and Laboutei will bring some aggression but in the size tank it should be minimal. All the others seem to be alright - I’d personally add a couple more wrasses (A couple other Anampses and a few Macropharyngodon species among other Cirrhilabrus species).

 

[JoJosReef]

@i cant think my reading was that OP already has the pintail (and other wrasses listed). Which of the other fairies would go with his current stock?

It looks like OP doesn't have faires in Lubbocki, Bathyphilus, Scottorum, Temminickii and Filamentosus complexes.

If it were me, I'd probably add a Lubbocki (adornatis, flavidorsalis or lubbocki) and a Temminickii like a Finespot (C. punctatus).

@i cant think would a Bathyphilus be problematic introduced to an already established ribrisquamis? Would a scottorum work in a tank that size or just pick off everyone one by one? OP says they like solorensis but currently has an aurantidorsalis--problem?

I second idea of adding leopards to the mix. Some flashers in a tank that size would also make for some excellent displays!

 

[650Bob08]

@i cant think my reading was that OP already has the pintail (and other wrasses listed). Which of the other fairies would go with his current stock?

It looks like OP doesn't have faires in Lubbocki, Bathyphilus, Scottorum, Temminickii and Filamentosus complexes.

If it were me, I'd probably add a Lubbocki (adornatis, flavidorsalis or lubbocki) and a Temminickii like a Finespot (C. punctatus).

@i cant think would a Bathyphilus be problematic introduced to an already established ribrisquamis? Would a scottorum work in a tank that size or just pick off everyone one by one? OP says they like solorensis but currently has an aurantidorsalis--problem?

I second idea of adding leopards to the mix. Some flashers in a tank that size would also make for some excellent displays!

Thanks for the feedback! To confirm, the list I provided are the current residents and thankfully they are getting along fine (even the pintail who is out constantly) outside of the occasional scrap. I've been trying to follow the compatablity chart posted by The Wrasse Guy and so far so good. The Scott's wrasse I've had before and they can be a bit much (big and aggressive), but I am debating on a blue thoated Wrasse (Filamentosus Complex). I know the Solar would likely be a complete gamble, but may try a female to begin with and see if the Orange back ignores her. The Bthyphilius are beautiful, but I haven't found one locally or a dealer I trust enough to ship to me. Regarding the flashers, is it too late to add them given this establish group of Fairy Wrasses? If I do add them are there articles out there on how to do it successfully? I generally QT and copper treat all my live stock before they go in the DT, but I know that can be tough on wrasses.

 

[JoJosReef]

Good question for @i cant think . Who are the flasher people? @Crabby48 @Tcook @SaltyT @Slocke ? Will fairies pick on new flashers?

 

[Crabby48]

Mixing fairy’s and flashers are like mixing fairy’s. Sometimes a fish can have a problem with another but generally it is ok to mix them.

 

[Crabby48]

I glanced at you stock list. You have more aggressive wrasse. Anding to them might be hard. You don’t want to add a more peaceful fairy or flasher.
If you do just be ready to catch ones that are a problem.

Also if you try add them at same time in groups. Spreads out initial stress.

 

[Crabby48]

One last thing. Smaller young female wrasse should help you. Males don’t like males

 

[Tcook]

Good question for @i cant think . Who are the flasher people? @Crabby48 @Tcook @SaltyT @Slocke ? Will fairies pick on new flashers?

I never flash. Keep my robe cinched tight.

 

[JoJosReef]

I never flash. Keep my robe cinched tight.

Party pooper

 

[Slocke]

First things first…

Now for the suggestions. All the reasonable suggestions have already been made so let’s go for the unreasonable.

1. Another tamarin may work. I’d suggest a yellowtail or one of the other similar species as they are easier.
2. A cleaner wrasse. Preferably captive bred
3. A hogfish or tuskfish.
4. A real coris wrasse like the red in the meme above. So far for me they have been quite peaceful for a big wrasse.
5. A seagrass wrasse or less reasonably a dragon. Best personality in the hobby even if that personality is potentially evil.
6. A quoyi parrotish?

 

[650Bob08]

I glanced at you stock list. You have more aggressive wrasse. Anding to them might be hard. You don’t want to add a more peaceful fairy or flasher.
If you do just be ready to catch ones that are a problem.

Also if you try add them at same time in groups. Spreads out initial stress.

I’m sort of new-ish to fairy wrasses, so didn’t realize these were particularly aggressive. My rule of thumb has always been to place multiple fish at a time. Solo fish are often doomed.

 

[650Bob08]

One last thing. Smaller young female wrasse should help you. Males don’t like males

Interesting point. Once they turn male, does the warfare begin?

 

[650Bob08]

First things first…

Now for the suggestions. All the reasonable suggestions have already been made so let’s go for the unreasonable.

1. Another tamarin may work. I’d suggest a yellowtail or one of the other similar species as they are easier.
2. A cleaner wrasse. Preferably captive bred
3. A hogfish or tuskfish.
4. A real coris wrasse like the red in the meme above. So far for me they have been quite peaceful for a big wrasse.
5. A seagrass wrasse or less reasonably a dragon. Best personality in the hobby even if that personality is potentially evil.
6. A quoyi parrotish?

some interesting suggestions here!
I have kept Coris Giamard several times over the years. I just wasn’t sure if he would grow up yo cause trouble the fairy wrasses. I love dragons too, but I know all too well their aggressive demeanor as adults. I do have a CB Tusk just out of QT, but he needs to grow another inch or so before going in the DT.

You’ve given me some things to consider. I may just take pause for a while and see how the current group develops.

Thank you all for the feedback!

 

[Crabby48]

Interesting point. Once they turn male, does the warfare begin?

I wouldn’t say once male warfare begins. Adding males to males the chance of fights is greater. If they are females and transition they have a better chance. Some will always be jerks and some will not. Keeping aggression more equal they tend to behave.
Like mixing tangs but tangs can slice up fish were wrasse tend to stress out others and or little nibbles

Others here have great options and are good with wrasse also.

I would vote a quoyi parrotish on a fish only too. They are cool fish

 

[650Bob08]

I wouldn’t say once male warfare begins. Adding males to males the chance of fights is greater. If they are females and transition they have a better chance. Some will always be jerks and some will not. Keeping aggression more equal they tend to behave.
Like mixing tangs but tangs can slice up fish were wrasse tend to stress out others and or little nibbles

Others here have great options and are good with wrasse also.

I would vote a quoyi parrotish on a fish only too. They are cool fish

Thanks for the further insight. I'd love the Qoyi parrot, but concerned he’ll mar the walls of my acrylic tank or is that an exaggerated risk?

 

[i cant think]

Thanks for the further insight. I'd love the Qoyi parrot, but concerned he’ll mar the walls of my acrylic tank or is that an exaggerated risk?

I wouldn’t worry about that risk, more so the risk of him using corals for food and munching through acros.

 

[OrionN]

Assuming your tank is 9 feetX38X38 inches.
There are a numbers of beautiful wrasses you can keep. At that size you can add everything (within reason) give them enough food and they will be fine together.

 

[OrionN]

I'm looking for suggestions on fairy wrasses I might add to my DT. The tank is 9x36x38 and currently houses the following wrasses:

Halichoeres

Melanurus
Yellow Coris
Earmuff
Radiant (currently in QT)

Cirrhilabrus
Orange Back
Exquisite
Lineatus
Labouti
Naoki
Rosy Scaled
splendid pintail

Anampses
China Wrasse

I really like the Solar wrasse and Blue throat wrasses, but am concerned about high levels of aggression in my wrasse community. Flashers are also potentially interesting, but at this point the community may be too boisterous for them to settle in. Other tank residents include an assortment of tangs, Genicanthus angelfish, Gold flake and Majestic angels, Pyramid butterflyfish and (5) engineer gobies. The tank is currently a FOWLR system, but hoping to start adding some easy corals next year.

Thanks for your advice on Fairy wrasses I might add. I really enjoy the ones I have, and while there is an occasional dispute, overall they get along.

You need not worry. My tank is only 2/3 the size of your's. Same H and D but only 6 feet. I keep all of the wrasses above except Earmuff and Lineatus. They all did well. I even keep pairs and harems of the wrasse without problem. Feed them well and keep water quality high and they will thrive

 

[i cant think]

You need not worry. My tank is only 2/3 the size of your's. Same H and D but only 6 feet. I keep all of the wrasses above except Earmuff and Lineatus. They all did well. I even keep pairs and harems of the wrasse without problem. Feed them well and keep water quality high and they will thrive

Every time I see your tank it always appears larger than 6 feet, what’s your secret