The Wrasse Lover's Thread!
- Thread starter Breakin Newz
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- Tagged users AtulR
Finally a good photo of the juvenile mccoskers plus an accidental shot that turned out quite good.
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I have a question for the wrasse experts. A few months ago I purchased a Ruby fin fairy wrasse. Really cool fish and I've fallen in love with wrasses. So much so after doing some research I decided to purchase a McCosker flasher wrasse. My impression after reading was that the Red fin was a somewhat agressive wrasse but that something like the flasher would be okay since it's from a different genus of wrasse completely. Honestly the fairy wrasse has always acted like a huge wimp and hides at the slightest movement.
So this past Thursday I added three fish to the tank a cleaner wrasse, a McCosker flasher wrasse, and a Tang. The fairy wrasse immediately hid and spent the entire day in hiding. Friday the flasher was out and swimming with the fairy and all seemed fine. Sunday evening I noticed the Flasher had been injured and the fairy wrasse all over it even chasing it out of places it was hiding. On Sunday I was trying to get it out of the tank but was unsuccessful. Yesterday after I got home from work I found the Flasher had died. So my question is, is this normal for the Red fin fairy to be this agressive? I was really hoping to be able to add another wrasse or two but if this is going to be the result I'm thinking of trying to re-home the fairy wrasse.
So this past Thursday I added three fish to the tank a cleaner wrasse, a McCosker flasher wrasse, and a Tang. The fairy wrasse immediately hid and spent the entire day in hiding. Friday the flasher was out and swimming with the fairy and all seemed fine. Sunday evening I noticed the Flasher had been injured and the fairy wrasse all over it even chasing it out of places it was hiding. On Sunday I was trying to get it out of the tank but was unsuccessful. Yesterday after I got home from work I found the Flasher had died. So my question is, is this normal for the Red fin fairy to be this agressive? I was really hoping to be able to add another wrasse or two but if this is going to be the result I'm thinking of trying to re-home the fairy wrasse.
SaltyT
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There are a few different fairy wrasses that go by "ruby fin", but based on your description of what happened I suspect you have Cirrhilabrus rubripinnis which doesn't play well with other fairy or flasher wrasses. A pic will confirm which species of fairy wrasse you have. But regardless, based on his behavior if you want any more fairy or flasher wrasses you'll need to rehome him.
I can post a video of it flashing with my clownfish. Ever since the introduction of the new fish it has been like the Tasmanian devil zooming around the tank acting crazy. It reminds me of my dog with the zoomies. I feel terrible from what I read my understanding was that this was a mid agression wrasse not a crazy agressive one.
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Unfortunately I can’t watch the video, but I will agree that it seems you have Cirrhilabrus rubripinnis. And really, although it’s unfortunate this is how aggressive this species can be.
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Yep, that's rubripinnis. He's acting dominant towards your clowns in the video.
Don't feel bad you did nothing wrong. Back before Hunter's fairy wrasse scale existed I learned the hard way which fairies were nasty.
LOL my dog gets the zoomies, too.
It's funny cause the clowns don't seem to have any clue what's going on, they just kind of move out of the way. I've always wanted to keep a C. jordani but with the Hawaii closure that's out of the question.
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C. jordani is one of my favorites. I was hoping it and the potter's leopard were on list now that some fish have been approved to be collected in Hawaii again, but no such luck. Maybe someday!
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We’re all guilty of mixing wrasses that ‘shouldn’t’ be mixed… I mean, I have it in practice currently. Hopefully you can re home him and get a beautiful plan ready!!
And talking of my gang, here’s my two Halichoeres
And talking of my gang, here’s my two Halichoeres
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Do you know if A. chrysocephalus is on the list?
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Sorry it's not on the list. I believe the only wrasse that can be collected again from Hawaii are bird wrasses.
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That’s a shame, hopefully they add to the list in the future. A Jordani and Chrysocephalus are the wrasses I love from Hawaii.
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C. bathyphilus is a nice substitute. Not sure how you feel about ordering fish online, but Reef Pro Store and World Wide Corals both have them right now. Take your rubripinnis to your LFS for some store credit.
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M. geoffroy is on my list. I've never seen a male chrysocephalus in-person, I've only been able to admire them in photos.
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What’s your thoughts on Cirrhilabrus shutmani?
My old LFS (Unfortunately they’ve moved further west compared to where I am) had a beautiful female Geoffroyi and I did try to buy it. They almost sold it but I ‘unfortunately’ got the Juvenile Jade instead. The LFS does still have that Geoffroyi which surprises me as she’s Atleast 4 years old.
I’ve seen a male Chrysocephalus in person and I’ve never seen a nicer anampses, IMHO, even neoguinaicus is below the chrysocephalus in beauty.
My old LFS (Unfortunately they’ve moved further west compared to where I am) had a beautiful female Geoffroyi and I did try to buy it. They almost sold it but I ‘unfortunately’ got the Juvenile Jade instead. The LFS does still have that Geoffroyi which surprises me as she’s Atleast 4 years old.
I'm okay with ordering online. Im just not confident in my ability to quarantine a fairy wrasse, I've heard they're very difficult. It's been getting the places that do quarantine to get the fish that has been the issue. I've been eyeing the WWC and Reef Pro Store for a bit for sure.
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I've never personally kept shutmani, but those that I know that do say it's mild mannered. It has increased in popularity since jordani is no longer available. I think it's another nice substitute.
Saltyhog had his geoffroy for I believe 8 yrs so there's a chance that LFS will have theirs a few more years.
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