The Wrasse Lover's Thread!

[sdreef]

C. lineatus.

 

[Petcrazyson]

Experts:
Want a Naoko’s Fairy Wrasse for 80 gallon. Any others that will play nice with it? Any that I should steer clear of for mutual aggression?

Is this a 80 gallon long? 3 foot 4 foot? I ask because this Cirrhilabrus type reallt likes that open water surface area to cover, so those 4 feet really play a part. I wouldn’t keep one long term in a 3 footer as they do need that longer/wider range, and to not promote aggression. Naokoae’s are quite pushy towards other fish like wrasse counterparts and anthias. Some good fellow wrasse, could be of the Paracheilinus or Cirrhilabrus. I’d say any other species, but those would just be more like other fish rather than “ fish mates“. Some ideas would be Cirrhilabrus lubbocki, Cirrhilabrus exquisitus or Cirrhilabrus condei, and some tougher Paracheilinus like flavianalis or lineopunctatus.

 

[saltienewb]

It’s a 3 footer. So no go on Naoko’s in your opinion?

 

[Crabby48]

That's great. I'm setting up a landing pad tank this week for my two arriving next week (M. bipartitis and H. chrysus). No more bucket! Plan is bare bottom Fluval Evo with my long term matrix/live rock rubble in the AIO chamber, couple of rocks and PVC for comfort, and I don't know what to do about feeding yet--weekend will be interesting given it is an office tank. They are pre-QT'd so just a matter of slow acclimation over a few days, then acclimation box in DT.

Now things will get real interesting if 4 arrive alive. We are running a test on shipping with sand in the bag, so 2 of each will be shipped. Can all 4 go in the Evo? I suppose a bit better than the bucket...

Congratulations. I kept a tang and 4 wrasse in a 20 tall. I’m reckless. But yet study and watch my fish and will do what’s needed. Every time is different and also stress of to many can prevent a problem.
All I can say is more natural the tank is to a reef the better your chance is.

I 100 percent say if you can hold a wrasse and let it settle and eat like normal for display the better. Shipping I disagree wrasse are fragile. Special needs maybe. Wrasse require little more time. They stress easy and don’t deal well with stress.
Clown is 16 year old with stress. Wrasse is a 8& year old man with stress. Proper holding and shipping fish is good. Also I believe a wrasse with parasite can go in display and live bit holdings and shipping stress will allow a parasite to over take many and is why we see deaths. Also remove from bag once opens and acclimate in a tank slow.
All wrasse are hardy we people just don’t understand. Cylinder bags vs round. And hard vs soft bags make a slight difference how water moves when handled rough and bag shap play in to what helps slight in my eyes. Good people gray it and my survival rates went up where I get from and how shipped. My losses are my stupidity or just cheating qt.
Who you buy from matters! Younger is always better.

 

[Crabby48]

C. lineatus.

Last photo is money! Nice fish awesome photo’s

 

[Petcrazyson]

It’s a 3 footer. So no go on Naoko’s in your opinion?

You can definitely add him, just pay attention to his pattern of movement and behaviors, and once he gets a good size on him he’d just need a larger home.

 

[JoJosReef]

Congratulations. I kept a tang and 4 wrasse in a 20 tall. I’m reckless. But yet study and watch my fish and will do what’s needed. Every time is different and also stress of to many can prevent a problem.
All I can say is more natural the tank is to a reef the better your chance is.

I 100 percent say if you can hold a wrasse and let it settle and eat like normal for display the better. Shipping I disagree wrasse are fragile. Special needs maybe. Wrasse require little more time. They stress easy and don’t deal well with stress.
Clown is 16 year old with stress. Wrasse is a 8& year old man with stress. Proper holding and shipping fish is good. Also I believe a wrasse with parasite can go in display and live bit holdings and shipping stress will allow a parasite to over take many and is why we see deaths. Also remove from bag once opens and acclimate in a tank slow.
All wrasse are hardy we people just don’t understand. Cylinder bags vs round. And hard vs soft bags make a slight difference how water moves when handled rough and bag shap play in to what helps slight in my eyes. Good people gray it and my survival rates went up where I get from and how shipped. My losses are my stupidity or just cheating qt.
Who you buy from matters! Younger is always better.

Evo is just the landing pad--4 will be cramped in there, but once salinity raises to DT levels, off to the DT, and I will have locals ready for the extra 2 once I ensure they are acclimated and well.

Dr. Reef is sending, so at least at point of exit they will be parasite free and should be eating well. Just have to cross fingers they don't get injured in transit. Asked for juveniles/smaller females. Female bipartitis is a beautiful fish!

 

[Petcrazyson]

Evo is just the landing pad--4 will be cramped in there, but once salinity raises to DT levels, off to the DT, and I will have locals ready for the extra 2 once I ensure they are acclimated and well.

Dr. Reef is sending, so at least at point of exit they will be parasite free and should be eating well. Just have to cross fingers they don't get injured in transit. Asked for juveniles/smaller females. Female bipartitis is a beautiful fish!

 

[JoJosReef]

If going bare bottom for the landing pad, is there risk that they will dive to the bottom and break their jaws?

I'm not keen on adding sand to the holding tank, because I don't want them taking a week or two hibernation on the office floor.

 

[Crabby48]

If going bare bottom for the landing pad, is there risk that they will dive to the bottom and break their jaws?

I'm not keen on adding sand to the holding tank, because I don't want them taking a week or two hibernation on the office floor.

It’s not about you it’s about the fish. That said many qt in bare bottom. I will not it’s about them being comfy and survival. More natural the better. Bare bottom they won’t dive but if clean and shiny they will try and swim through. Added stress only makes survival rates go down. Give 1” sand. If it hides it hides. Weak ones can’t bury. If fish are conditioned they shouldn’t hide long if they don’t have bully’s. Most mine won’t after shipping but ones right from ocean

 

[i cant think]

If going bare bottom for the landing pad, is there risk that they will dive to the bottom and break their jaws?

I'm not keen on adding sand to the holding tank, because I don't want them taking a week or two hibernation on the office floor.

Yes. That risk is always there for a Barebottom tank no matter what.
It’s not about you wanting to see the fish instead of it having hibernation but instead you want the fish to be as comfortable as possible when it lands. Remember, these fish have likely just been rattled around in shipping and are more than likely to be terrified. You want to make them feel safe and not like they don’t have anywhere to go.

 

[i cant think]

It’s a 3 footer. So no go on Naoko’s in your opinion?

It’s hard to know for sure - These fish are each different. I’ve had very few that are pushy and nasty even in an LFS. I’ve mostly had peaceful and playful Naokoae.

If you have a photo of your tank that will be easier to say if this fish will likely be peaceful.

 

[JoJosReef]

Yes. That risk is always there for a Barebottom tank no matter what.
It’s not about you wanting to see the fish instead of it having hibernation but instead you want the fish to be as comfortable as possible when it lands. Remember, these fish have likely just been rattled around in shipping and are more than likely to be terrified. You want to make them feel safe and not like they don’t have anywhere to go.

I can get 2 in of sand in the Evo and find a better temp spot for them. Hopefully they will be out eating before long. Any recommendations on catching them without stressing them out? Everywhere says not to fetch them out of the sand.

 

[i cant think]

I can get 2 in of sand in the Evo and find a better temp spot for them. Hopefully they will be out eating before long. Any recommendations on catching them without stressing them out? Everywhere says not to fetch them out of the sand.

Best way is fish trapping them, however you can also drain the tank water if needed and then catch them from there.

 

[takoarm8]

 

[takoarm8]

He’s settling in. 200 gallon starts its install in 2 weeks.

 

[i cant think]

One of the worst photos I’ve ever gotten but… I no longer have a female Blue Star. She’s got a gorgeous green hue to her body and well her face is changing quickly.

 

[JoJosReef]

One of the worst photos I’ve ever gotten but… I no longer have a female Blue Star. She’s got a gorgeous green hue to her body and well her face is changing quickly.

She will be missed.

Welcome to the bro show, MB!

 

[jkcoral]

Mrs. Pink Streak here to remind you that it’s Tiny wrasse Tuesday

 

[i cant think]

One of the worst photos I’ve ever gotten but… I no longer have a female Blue Star. She’s got a gorgeous green hue to her body and well her face is changing quickly.

I used to complain that my wrasses took ages to transition but this girl has been with me for 2 years and doubled in size and is now transitioning at 1.5-2” long.