The Wrasse Lover's Thread!

[Sink_or_Swim]

Getting a wrasse that will eat fireworms but not snails is difficult. There are some wrasse who are very good at eating worms but they are generally not considered reef safe. I’m thinking Coris and Novaculichthys which include species such as the Red Coris (C gaimard), Formosa (C formosa), dragon, and sea grass (don’t know their scientific and being lazy).

As for another Halichoeres it’s 50/50 as Ethan says but you certainly need an acclimation box.

I figured that would be the case - I'd try a arrow crab or something instead of a fish for that, but I just worry about one actually being able to handle these large worms. They're pretty big. All the wrasse you just named are very cool, very pretty - but I've looked at them in the past and decided probably too big and too potentially aggressive for my tank. :)

I have an acclimation box, so that would be no problem. It's not huge, but was big enough to house my baby yellow tang and decent sized hawkfish for a couple weeks no problem. What about sand though? What's the longest you'd attempt keeping a sand sleeping wrasse in the box without stressing it too much?

I REALLY would like to try another yellow tail tamarin to round out my wrasse crew... I'm just SO worried about having another one die in transit. :/

Other option would be maybe just scratch the idea of another halichoeres or an anampses altogether, and get one more fairy wrasse - I like the look of the Labout's a lot!

 

[Petcrazyson]

That all makes sense. I will probably be rescaping a little right before adding any more additions, so that may be helpful - but definitely know they have the same diet/like the same areas, so I know it's a risk regardless. The melanurus is decent sized, probably a good 4 1/2" or so, maybe 5" tip of nose to end of tail, lol. I don't know what size the new addition would be because I would order from Dr. Reef (though says "medium" size on the site, I will have to email them to see what they mean by that). It looks like the earmuff probably gets a little larger than the adorned at maturity but not sure if that matters. I'm not sure with wrasse whether it's better to add a larger one to an existing, or the opposite, so as to seem like less competition?

If it’s smaller in size than it’s a much smaller threat to it and it’s territory but still competition nonetheless. If it’s smaller there will be tension, and the established resident will think twice before engaging with the new comer, but it could also backfire with the resident stressing itself out.

 

[Petcrazyson]

like the look of the Labout's a lot!

Laboutei’s get pretty aggressive towards other Cirrhilabrus and especially Paracheilinus so if you want to add other fairies or flashers down the line there is a high chance for problems.

 

[Slocke]

I figured that would be the case - I'd try a arrow crab or something instead of a fish for that, but I just worry about one actually being able to handle these large worms. They're pretty big. All the wrasse you just named are very cool, very pretty - but I've looked at them in the past and decided probably too big and too potentially aggressive for my tank. :)

I have an acclimation box, so that would be no problem. It's not huge, but was big enough to house my baby yellow tang and decent sized hawkfish for a couple weeks no problem. What about sand though? What's the longest you'd attempt keeping a sand sleeping wrasse in the box without stressing it too much?

I REALLY would like to try another yellow tail tamarin to round out my wrasse crew... I'm just SO worried about having another one die in transit. :/

Other option would be maybe just scratch the idea of another halichoeres or an anampses altogether, and get one more fairy wrasse - I like the look of the Labout's a lot!

Labouts is the same size and temperament as your other fairy so would be one of your best bets to get along. That along with other unrelated C or D wrasse would be your best I think.

As for a tamarin I think it’s really best to see it before you buy. They’re such bad shoppers you want to see it eat and then quickly get it home to reduce the chance of shipping issues.

 

[Tcook]

They’re such bad shoppers

Don’t need another one of those in the house.

 

[C4ctus99]

Hey y’all, need an ID. This guy has been at my lfs for probably a month now, real pretty

 

[Petcrazyson]

Hey y’all, need an ID. This guy has been at my lfs for probably a month now, real pretty

Looks to be a Halichoeres timorensis. Real nice fish and looks pretty good. Not too common these days.

 

[C4ctus99]

Looks to be a Halichoeres timorensis. Real nice fish and looks pretty good. Not too common these days.

They don’t do too well with snails and the like do they?

 

[Petcrazyson]

They don’t do too well with snails and the like do they?

With any Halichoeres inverts are never truly safe, snails no exception. I wouldn’t let this bother you if you would like to get it though. They kinda work as our CUC number count reminder. Sometimes they won’t go for them, and sometimes a ‘safe‘ one will go develop a liking for them.

 

[C4ctus99]

With any Halichoeres inverts are never truly safe, snails no exception. I wouldn’t let this bother you if you would like to get it though. They kinda work as our CUC number count reminder. Sometimes they won’t go for them, and sometimes a ‘safe‘ one will go develop a liking for them.

Gotcha. Currently have a skeleton crew on clean up duty. Have a large thin stripe hermit crab (big boy, 2-3”), a decent sized trochus (1-1.5), am emerald crab, and a serpent star. Also a porcelain crab that hides in its rock caves all day.

Mostly just don’t want to lose the crab, found him in nature and he started my reefing adventures. My sisters named the snail and are a little attached to all the creatures…as am I :face-with-tears-of-joy:

 

[SaltyT]

Gotcha. Currently have a skeleton crew on clean up duty. Have a large thin stripe hermit crab (big boy, 2-3”), a decent sized trochus (1-1.5), am emerald crab, and a serpent star. Also a porcelain crab that hides in its rock caves all day.

Mostly just don’t want to lose the crab, found him in nature and he started my reefing adventures. My sisters named the snail and are a little attached to all the creatures…as am I :face-with-tears-of-joy:

Good chance the timorensis will eat your crabs as it grows, they're crab killers. Trochus snails are pretty safe. I've never had a halichoeres wrasse eat one even if it was flipped over trying to right itself... maybe they taste bad? Depending on how large your serpent star is it could be on the menu, too.

 

[C4ctus99]

Good chance the timorensis will eat your crabs as it grows, they're crab killers. Trochus snails are pretty safe. I've never had a halichoeres wrasse eat one even if it was flipped over trying to right itself... maybe they taste bad? Depending on how large your serpent star is it could be on the menu, too.

5-6” serpent star, might be brittle star, still ain’t quite ID’d it well.

I may move the crab into the sump then if I get her. Right now, the crab is about as big as she is :face-with-tears-of-joy:

Thanks for the expertise!

 

[Petcrazyson]

Gotcha. Currently have a skeleton crew on clean up duty. Have a large thin stripe hermit crab (big boy, 2-3”), a decent sized trochus (1-1.5), am emerald crab, and a serpent star. Also a porcelain crab that hides in its rock caves all day.

Mostly just don’t want to lose the crab, found him in nature and he started my reefing adventures. My sisters named the snail and are a little attached to all the creatures…as am I :face-with-tears-of-joy:

Like @SaltyT mentioned he may go after the crab. The star is also at risk as well but if it’s on the small side, a large 5 incher isn’t at as high of a risk.

 

[Slocke]

5-6” serpent star, might be brittle star, still ain’t quite ID’d it well.

I may move the crab into the sump then if I get her. Right now, the crab is about as big as she is :face-with-tears-of-joy:

Thanks for the expertise!

I think those are both big enough to be safe.

 

[blaxsun]

Good chance the timorensis will eat your crabs as it grows, they're crab killers. Trochus snails are pretty safe. I've never had a halichoeres wrasse eat one even if it was flipped over trying to right itself... maybe they taste bad? Depending on how large your serpent star is it could be on the menu, too.

Interesting. I'll have to keep an eye out... Thus far my hermit crabs are all "holding their own" in the tank. The serpent stars in my tank are all pretty crafty and have wedged themselves in really well (not for the faint-hearted wrasse!)

 

[OutColdCRNA]

Tried to find the fish stocking thread but had no luck.
I have tried a yellow coris twice and both have succumbed. Looking at switching in the same family. An adorned wrasse. My question is, are these good pest control and what is their temperament? Are they hardier? No lfs within 1.5 hours. At least a reputable one. So stick would be ordered from dr. Reef.
tank-65 gallon 4’ Tideline
-Current stock
Clown pair juvenile
Lubbocks
Exquisite
- to be added.
adorned ( potentially)
Leopard wrasse
Melanarus.

would the addition of the adorned be wise with this stock list?

 

[Sink_or_Swim]

Labouts is the same size and temperament as your other fairy so would be one of your best bets to get along. That along with other unrelated C or D wrasse would be your best I think.

As for a tamarin I think it’s really best to see it before you buy. They’re such bad shoppers you want to see it eat and then quickly get it home to reduce the chance of shipping issues.

I'm definitely considering the Labouts. :) I agree on the tamarin - just too iffy with shipping. Maybe my lfs will get one in someday. So until then, I'm thinking maybe another fairy wrasse, a pair of clownfish (last ones died during the tank crash a year ago and I really miss having clowns in the tank), and last but not least, maybe a small group of Biota pavo damsels. I know, I know... but "supposedly" they're a little more peaceful than most damsels and also all of my existing fish don't take any crap from anyone, so I think they could handle any potential damsel shenanigans, lol.
Not sure yet what I'll end up doing, just want to finish adding fish before the tang gets any older/bigger/meaner than she already is (she's still a baby really, but can be a big jerk for sure). Decisions, decisions!

 

[Sink_or_Swim]

Laboutei’s get pretty aggressive towards other Cirrhilabrus and especially Paracheilinus so if you want to add other fairies or flashers down the line there is a high chance for problems.

Hmmm... Definitely trying to avoid future issues. Instead of that one, what about either c. solorensis or c. aurantidorsalis? Looking for something with colors that will contrast with what I have in the tank currently (c. finnifenmaa, and h. melanurus). That's why I'm drawn to the adorned and the earmuff wrasse I originally asked about - I like the lighter color combos in contrast to the deeper colors of the fish I have already. Trying to finish my artistic vision for the tank I guess, while still paying attention to good husbandry. :)

 

[Petcrazyson]

Hmmm... Definitely trying to avoid future issues. Instead of that one, what about either c. solorensis or c. aurantidorsalis? Looking for something with colors that will contrast with what I have in the tank currently (c. finnifenmaa, and h. melanurus). That's why I'm drawn to the adorned and the earmuff wrasse I originally asked about - I like the lighter color combos in contrast to the deeper colors of the fish I have already. Trying to finish my artistic vision for the tank I guess, while still paying attention to good husbandry. :)

Gonna be honest solorensis and aurantidorsalis have the same deal as the Laboutei. Not saying you can‘t try them just there could be a high chance of issues later on. I agree that the melasmapomus adds a nice touch and under certain spectrums they glow the color pink.

If you want a good sized wrasse not too aggressive amazing character and color and not expensive than look at the C. naokoae. Beautiful fish and have the habit of ‘dive bombing’ other fish while displaying. They hang out at the top of the tank most of the time so it gives good surface movement.

 

[OnePuffMan]

I posted a separate thread, but will try here. I tend to like the wrasses and am planning stock for my 150 (5'x2'x2').

I was really hoping for a Pink Margin instead of the Fine Spotted, but Dr. Reef sold out while I was figuring things out. I would also trade the Naoko for one of the other fairy wrasses.

My current plan is for future adds (parenthesis are non-wrasse):

1. Dusky Fairy and Fine Spotted Fairy (Lamark Angel)
2. Melanarus or Christmas and Pink Margin if back (Diamond Goby, Royal Gramma)
3. 2-3 Flashers - should they be the same or different (Dragonnette)
4. Cleaner wrasse - if it can be added with another group, then awesome (Tomini Tang, Picaso Trigger)

Current stock is Foxface, 2 Clowns, Crimson Hawkfish, Yellow Watchman, Cardinal