Reef Safe Wrasse Needed

[Florida Girl 22]

I recently acquired several pieces of coral from my uncle who was moving and decided to get rid of his tank. Unfortunately, I did not realize that the corals were carriers of parasitic anemones. The anemones took over the rocks in my tank and killed my Spotted Dragonet and a Cleaner Shrimp, all in a month. I decided to get rid of all of the rocks in my tank, salvage a few soft corals that did not have the anemones growing on them, and start over. I suspect the anemones will come back in the future just because they are so hard to get rid of, so I am looking into buying a wrasse to manage the issue. I have heard that some wrasses will eat these anemones.

My tank is 45 gallons, and currently contains a juvenile Doctor Tang, Caribbean Sailfin Blenny, Yellowtail Damselfish, and a juvenile Gold Nugget Maroon Clownfish. The Tang and the Clown are the most obnoxious fish in the tank. I would like to get a wrasse that will stay small (no bigger than 4 or 5 inches) and get along with my current fish. It must also be reef safe. Does anyone have any recommendations for a good wrasse to add to the tank? Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[flashsmith]

I've never heard of any wrasse that would eat aiptasia.

 

[argiBK]

Were you dealing with Aiptasia, Majano, or another species of anemone? Knowing the species will help determine a proper method of control. Pics will also help in this case.

 

[OrchidMiss]

I recently acquired several pieces of coral from my uncle who was moving and decided to get rid of his tank. Unfortunately, I did not realize that the corals were carriers of parasitic anemones. The anemones took over the rocks in my tank and killed my Spotted Dragonet and a Cleaner Shrimp, all in a month. I decided to get rid of all of the rocks in my tank, salvage a few soft corals that did not have the anemones growing on them, and start over. I suspect the anemones will come back in the future just because they are so hard to get rid of, so I am looking into buying a wrasse to manage the issue. I have heard that some wrasses will eat these anemones.

My tank is 45 gallons, and currently contains a juvenile Doctor Tang, Caribbean Sailfin Blenny, Yellowtail Damselfish, and a juvenile Gold Nugget Maroon Clownfish. The Tang and the Clown are the most obnoxious fish in the tank. I would like to get a wrasse that will stay small (no bigger than 4 or 5 inches) and get along with my current fish. It must also be reef safe. Does anyone have any recommendations for a good wrasse to add to the tank? Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

Wrasse will not eat aiptasia, and I would not add another fish to a 45g with a tang and maroon.
I do hope you have a much larger tank for the tang.

 

[OrchidMiss]

@i cant think

 

[Lavey29]

Agree, you need to rehome the tang and get a few peppermint shrimp for your aptasia problem. Also aptasia did not kill your mandarin or cleaner shrimp either.

 

[i cant think]

I recently acquired several pieces of coral from my uncle who was moving and decided to get rid of his tank. Unfortunately, I did not realize that the corals were carriers of parasitic anemones. The anemones took over the rocks in my tank and killed my Spotted Dragonet and a Cleaner Shrimp, all in a month. I decided to get rid of all of the rocks in my tank, salvage a few soft corals that did not have the anemones growing on them, and start over. I suspect the anemones will come back in the future just because they are so hard to get rid of, so I am looking into buying a wrasse to manage the issue. I have heard that some wrasses will eat these anemones.

My tank is 45 gallons, and currently contains a juvenile Doctor Tang, Caribbean Sailfin Blenny, Yellowtail Damselfish, and a juvenile Gold Nugget Maroon Clownfish. The Tang and the Clown are the most obnoxious fish in the tank. I would like to get a wrasse that will stay small (no bigger than 4 or 5 inches) and get along with my current fish. It must also be reef safe. Does anyone have any recommendations for a good wrasse to add to the tank? Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

Certain species of wrasse have symbiotic relationships with anemones throughout their lifetimes however none will outright eat an anemone.

as for your tank, rehome most of those fish (specifically the damsel, tang and maroon) and then you’ll be able to house some more peaceful fish like wrasses. Those fish you have will be hell for any new fish in the tank unfortunately.