Melanarus wrasse eating cuc - advice

[Clarinuto]

So, I knew it was a possibility that my melanarus wrasse might eat my cuc and after being well behaved for some time it appears he is doing just that. I bought quite a few blue legged hermit crabs to clean detritus and some Cyano on the sand bed yesterday and today most of them are empty shelled. It’s a big bummer. I was wondering if there are cuc members that can do this work but won’t be appetizing to the wrasse? Or is my only option to rehome him or be constantly buying more cuc?

Thanks!!

 

[ndrwater]

Any Haloceres(sp?) wrasses are definitely capable of eating CUC. if your wrasse has decided that CUC is on the menu, I doubt if you are going to change his mind

 

[Clarinuto]

Any Haloceres(sp?) wrasses are definitely capable of eating CUC. if your wrasse has decided that CUC is on the menu, I doubt if you are going to change his mind

I mean more so if there are cuc members that he is less likely to eat. For example, cucumbers

 

[ndrwater]

Fish are people too. They all have different personalities... And tastes. Seems blue leg hermits are definitely in the menu, but no real guarantees unless you try something else. You may want to stay away from hermits in general

 

[eatbreakfast]

What size tank? A diamond goby can keep the sand clean. Conchs are also a good option.

 

[4FordFamily]

This is always a risk with most halichoeres — I will say I’ve always found them worth the need to replace the clean up crew regularly

 

[cancun]

I agree with @4FordFamily.....I have 11 Wrasses in my tank....4 of them are halichoeres....I have no clean up crew except for a few brittle stars and a urchin.....they are nocturnal so the Wrasses don't get to them. I haven't had a clean up crew in my tank in probably 3 years or more. I haven't had a issue with no clean up crew.

 

[Clarinuto]

What size tank? A diamond goby can keep the sand clean. Conchs are also a good option.

75 gallons. I have an orange striped prawn goby. I would love to add another goby but was worried there would be quarrels. Thoughts?

 

[DylanE]

I have one and a puffer in my reef. I have a diamond watchman goby, a few conches, and a tuxedo urchin. None of them get bothered and my sand is spotless.

 

[Clarinuto]

This is always a risk with most halichoeres — I will say I’ve always found them worth the need to replace the clean up crew regularly

He is one of my favorite fish, so I am hoping to make something work. He’s another fish I took in that wasn’t doing super well at first and has really come around now. He’s fully healed, beautifully colored, and super personable. He and the clowns will stick their faces out of the surface of the water when I come to feed. It’s fun to watch.

 

[Clarinuto]

I should mention also that he hasn’t went after (at least to my knowledge) my cleaner shrimp, peppermint shrimp, or my urchins. The problem is really just my sand bed cleaners (hermits and some snails). My urchins are almost exclusively on the rockwork or the glass. I wish they would clean the sand as well!

 

[eatbreakfast]

75 gallons. I have an orange striped prawn goby. I would love to add another goby but was worried there would be quarrels. Thoughts?

They should be fine together. A 75g allows each to have their own space.

 

[Clarinuto]

They should be fine together. A 75g allows each to have their own space.

Awesome. Thanks!