mixing wrasses

[maneman]

Current display tank is 65g with a yellow tang, tomato clown, blood orange clown, and an exquisite wrasse (Female?). I have 2 longfins (m&f) from live aquaria being delivered today (going into qt). I just got a call from my LFS that the McCoskers wrasse (male?) and the pair of (gender unknown) exquisite wrasses (that I ordered in Nov. and forgot about) just arrived and are ready for pick-up. I would love to add all of these with great success but have some concerns in doing so. Any helpful suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[Salty1962]

After you QT them, just use acclimation boxes so everyone will become used to each other.

 

[melypr1985]

Welcome to R2R! I agree that an acclimation box would help if you are concerned about them getting along.

@evolved @4FordFamily and @eatbreakfast would have some good help to offer on this subject of course.

 

[evolved]

Check out the sticky threads in the fish forum (https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/fish-discussion.56/).
But this would be a good one to start with: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/all-about-reef-safe-wrasses-in-aquaria.259894/

Female exquisites are quite rare in the trade, and it's highly unlikely you have 2 or 3 females on your hands. Adding 2 males of the same species to the same tank will NOT work.

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

Welcome!

 

[dbl]

Welcome to R2R. As you can see, plenty of folks willing and able to help.

 

[4FordFamily]

Check out the sticky threads in the fish forum (https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/fish-discussion.56/).
But this would be a good one to start with: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/all-about-reef-safe-wrasses-in-aquaria.259894/

Female exquisites are quite rare in the trade, and it's highly unlikely you have 2 or 3 females on your hands. Adding 2 males of the same species to the same tank will NOT work.

I agree. If not for having two of same species, I would say you would be fine. As the links explain, it's likely even if you did buy a male and female pair that eventually they would all turn male and turn in to a blood bath. Mix the species for best luck :)

 

[Labridaedicted]

As stated above, I tend to go with one per genus. I've had up to 4 genera of wrasse at a given time in a 90 DT with no aggression observed. IME to prevent change of sex (although it can vary) in wrasses, it's best to have a trio at minimum. Hope this helps.

 

[SantaMonicaHelp]

Hi! Welcome to R2R !
Where are you from?

You have lots of different fish and you got my favorite one - yellow tang! This fish is awesome;)

- Zhenya

 

[maneman]

Thank you to all who replied!! I had one that was a trouble maker. I made various traps and caught every fish in my tank multiple times except the troublemaker! Finally caught him on Monday. As a result I have become quite skilled at trapping if anyone needs assistance.

 

[maneman]

Are all wrasses hermaphrodites?

 

[eatbreakfast]

Are all wrasses hermaphrodites?

Yes. Sequential hermaphrodites. Starting out as neuters, then females, then male - and in some species there is further transitioning into terminal phase males.