The Wrasse Lover's Thread!

Howieumd · Mar 26, 2017

tkiry1 said:
Are these guys super hard to take care of?

Online it seems that they don't do well in captivity..

I've got one. They aren't easy by any means. You need a very healthy pod population. The tough part is getting them through QT, where you need to make sure you're feeding them 4-5 times a day. They're also very finicky to mess. Once you can get them to your display, they have a better chance of making it, but getting them to that point is the tough part.

tkiry1 · Mar 26, 2017

Howieumd said:
I've got one. They aren't easy by any means. You need a very healthy pod population. The tough part is getting them through QT, where you need to make sure you're feeding them 4-5 times a day. They're also very finicky to mess. Once you can get them to your display, they have a better chance of making it, but getting them to that point is the tough part.

Thank u for that info....

eatbreakfast · Mar 27, 2017

tkiry1 said:
I need a little more info

Looking at getting a orange saddle wrasse (Thalassoma duperrey).. I know the lunarre wrasse is very agressive but is this as bad? Long time ago I had one and caused no problems. I do have a harlequin tusk that is about 4 inches.. In a 300 gallon tank.. Any input much appreciated.. A lot of older posts just say how agressive these guys are

They are just as aggressive as lunare. They will be fine with other semi-aggressive/ aggressive tankmates, but I wouldn't keep them with conventional reef-safe species, especially other wrasses or planktivores.

tkiry1 said:
Are these guys super hard to take care of?

Online it seems that they don't do well in captivity..

They have a pretty bad record in captivity, though females do better.

Besides having an established tank with lots of pods, stable kh is also very important with these guys.

evolved · Mar 27, 2017

tkiry1 said:
Looking at getting a orange saddle wrasse (Thalassoma duperrey).. I know the lunarre wrasse is very agressive but is this as bad?

eatbreakfast said:
They are just as aggressive as lunare. They will be fine with other semi-aggressive/ aggressive tankmates, but I wouldn't keep them with conventional reef-safe species, especially other wrasses or planktivores.

Agree; all Thalassoma can be pretty nasty. Not really suitable for a reef tank, unless we're talking public aquarium sized tank.

tkiry1 said:
Are these guys super hard to take care of?

Online it seems that they don't do well in captivity..

eatbreakfast said:
They have a pretty bad record in captivity, though females do better.

Besides having an established tank with lots of pods, stable kh is also very important with these guys.

Yes; a tough, finicky species. Females are in fact a lot easier, but not quite as eye catching.

tkiry1 · Mar 27, 2017

evolved said:
Agree; all Thalassoma can be pretty nasty. Not really suitable for a reef tank, unless we're talking public aquarium sized tank.

Yes; a tough, finicky species. Females are in fact a lot easier, but not quite as eye catching.

I passed on them.... I have a few tanks.. What's your thoughts on red breasted wrasse? I do have a tusk...

evolved · Mar 27, 2017

^ A lot more peaceful than an Thalassoma, and about on par with the tusk. Motile inverts will be toast though, but you probably have come to be familiar with that territory.

tkiry1 · Mar 27, 2017

evolved said:
^ A lot more peaceful than an Thalassoma, and about on par with the tusk. Motile inverts will be toast though, but you probably have come to be familiar with that territory.

Fish only... So he would coexist with tusk.. Tusk would be a bit smaller. He would be a bit larger but not huge... Another question, broomtail, I know they get huge but I have heard horror stories on how agressive and some people on how docile they were.. Any input great... Thanks

eatbreakfast · Mar 28, 2017

I've found red breasted wrasses ignore other fish.

Broomtails are hit-and-mss as far as aggression goes. Some ignore tankmates and some throw their weight around.

tkiry1 · Mar 28, 2017

eatbreakfast said:
I've found red breasted wrasses ignore other fish.

Broomtails are hit-and-mss as far as aggression goes. Some ignore tankmates and some throw their weight around.

So if it were you would you buy both and try it? I have someone that would take red breasted wrasse, I would keep the broomtail if it didn't work out? I appreciate any feedback...

eatbreakfast · Mar 29, 2017

tkiry1 said:
So if it were you would you buy both and try it? I have someone that would take red breasted wrasse, I would keep the broomtail if it didn't work out? I appreciate any feedback...

I would only try it if you really like them. Personally, I wouldn't do a broomtail, but I think they're hideous.

evolved · Mar 29, 2017

eatbreakfast said:
I would only try it if you really like them. Personally, I wouldn't do a broomtail, but I think they're hideous.

Ditto, but the species doesn't excite me at all either.

JAWS 32 · Mar 29, 2017

Hi, I was looking for a suggestion for a peaceful wrasse to get along w/ my ornate leopard wrasse. I have a 125 gallon FOWLR.. Would a radiant wrasse make a good companion?
Thanks!