Make Wrasse

RTab619 · Jan 31, 2016

Quick question - can I keep more than one male wrasse as long as they are different species right? Looking to get a male and female Flame and a male and female Exquisite.

Second question, if im pairing species do I need at least 2 females of each?

Jlobes · Jan 31, 2016

keeping single males of different species is acceptable and often encouraged. However, I might be concerned with two pairs. from my understanding and research, that might not be the best idea, long term.

saltyhog · Jan 31, 2016

Why do you want females? There's a pretty good chance they turn to males and then you could have problems. If I were going to keep 4 fairy wrasse I would get males of 4 different species. More variety and color instead of a couple of less colorful females. (wrasse don't pair up like some species if you were thinking of that)

Duke4Life · Jan 31, 2016

saltyhog said:
Why do you want females? There's a pretty good chance they turn to males and then you could have problems. If I were going to keep 4 fairy wrasse I would get males of 4 different species. More variety and color instead of a couple of less colorful females. (wrasse don't pair up like some species if you were thinking of that)

+1

Salty1962 · Feb 1, 2016

It has been discussed where females won't turn in the presence of a supermales. I have a Flame pair and the female hasn't even got close to turning with my supermale in the tank.
Maybe I've been lucky so far but that's why I purchased the supermales.

Greenstreet.1 · Feb 1, 2016

Following

Triggreef · Feb 1, 2016

RTab619 said:
Quick question - can I keep more than one male wrasse as long as they are different species right? Looking to get a male and female Flame and a male and female Exquisite.

Second question, if im pairing species do I need at least 2 females of each?

I think that particular 2 species might be OK together depending on tank size but in general I've not had great luck with fairy wrasse males together even different species. I only say those would work because I believe they are different regions, Africa and the other Hawaii.

@evolved and @eatbreakfast would be able to give a much better answer.

do_0b · Feb 1, 2016

I kept a male flame wrasse and a mystery wrasse for a couple months before I tore my tank down and I've had no issues during the time I had them both.

Greenstreet.1 · Feb 1, 2016

I have a flame pair with other fairy wrasses but exquisite. all is well with the others also have a glided pair

eatbreakfast · Feb 1, 2016

Exquisite and flame wrasses will go together. I will repeat the advice given above regarding prs. In captivity female flasher and fairy wrasses usually transition into males, even with a male present, even if that male is a super male.

Also, I wouldn't base compatibility by geographic origin, but rather by the tendencies of it's complex.

Duke4Life · Feb 1, 2016

Here's some good info:
http://www.3reef.com/threads/all-about-reef-safe-wrasses.122261/
http://www.reefedition.com/cirrhilabrus-complexes-inferiority-need-not-apply/

4FordFamily · Feb 1, 2016

eatbreakfast said:
Exquisite and flame wrasses will go together. I will repeat the advice given above regarding prs. In captivity female flasher and fairy wrasses usually transition into males, even with a male present, even if that male is a super male.

Also, I wouldn't base compatibility by geographic origin, but rather by the tendencies of it's complex.

X5 opt for males

evolved · Feb 1, 2016

saltyhog said:
Why do you want females? There's a pretty good chance they turn to males and then you could have problems. If I were going to keep 4 fairy wrasse I would get males of 4 different species.

Completely agree

Salty1962 said:
It has been discussed where females won't turn in the presence of a supermales.

Unfortunately, that's simply not true.

Salty1962 · Feb 1, 2016

evolved said:
Completely agree

Unfortunately, that's simply not true.

I must have miss read the information. I know now, that's why I love this forum. You learn something new everyday!

Triggreef · Feb 1, 2016

What size tank is this we are talking about anyhow? The 2 mentioned seem the general consensus agree on. I'm not sure how many more I would go. I've had problems with 3 or more in my 200g it never panned out for me with fairy wrasses. Then the one I decided to keep, decided to jump. I'll admit the ones I was playing with were more on the aggressive side. Solarensis, Scott's, exquisite, ruby head did not work.

Duke4Life · Feb 1, 2016

Triggreef said:
What size tank is this we are talking about anyhow? The 2 mentioned seem the general consensus agree on. I'm not sure how many more I would go. I've had problems with 3 or more in my 200g it never panned out for me with fairy wrasses. Then the one I decided to keep, decided to jump. I'll admit the ones I was playing with were more on the aggressive side. Solarensis, Scott's, exquisite, ruby head did not work.

A cf pylei is another that's fairly common I'd avoid if you want other fairy and flashers.

eatbreakfast · Feb 1, 2016

Triggreef said:
What size tank is this we are talking about anyhow? The 2 mentioned seem the general consensus agree on. I'm not sure how many more I would go. I've had problems with 3 or more in my 200g it never panned out for me with fairy wrasses. Then the one I decided to keep, decided to jump. I'll admit the ones I was playing with were more on the aggressive side. Solarensis, Scott's, exquisite, ruby head did not work.

It depends on the species. I have a combination of 8 fairies and flashers in an 80g and would feel confident adding even more without issue.

Duke4Life · Feb 1, 2016

eatbreakfast said:
It depends on the species. I have a combination of 8 fairies and flashers in an 80g and would feel confident adding even more without issue.

@eatbreakfast any other type of fish besides wrasses? I know you and @evolved are primarily wrasses