The Wrasse Lover's Thread!

[Lps_lover12]

Ok one more this or that . The photo I just saw of the yellow tail tamarin on this thread really caught my eye. I can get that one since the store I buy from has it in stock, or I can wait however long till they get the iridis in stock. For someone with not much experience which one should I get and which one looks better?

 

[Petcrazyson]

Ok one more this or that . The photo I just saw of the yellow tail tamarin on this thread really caught my eye. I can get that one since the store I buy from has it in stock, or I can wait however long till they get the iridis in stock. For someone with not much experience which one should I get and which one looks better?

I’d pass on the tamarin and to with the irids until you get some more experience, just my opinion though.

 

[homer1475]

Ok one more this or that . The photo I just saw of the yellow tail tamarin on this thread really caught my eye. I can get that one since the store I buy from has it in stock, or I can wait however long till they get the iridis in stock. For someone with not much experience which one should I get and which one looks better?

How old is the tank?

 

[Lps_lover12]

How old is the tank?

Just over one year. Added a lot of copepods about a month ago and add phyto everyday

 

[Petcrazyson]

Just over one year. Added a lot of copepods about a month ago and add phyto everyday

I’d add pods weekly just to keep numbers high. More is better with pods IMO

 

[homer1475]

I would agree with @Petcrazyson .

Skip the weekly pod additon, a tank can only support so many. What you need is to feed the micro life these wrasses hunt. Start feeding LIVE phytoplankton. You need to feed the microlife so it can establish and breed.

 

[Slocke]

Ok one more this or that . The photo I just saw of the yellow tail tamarin on this thread really caught my eye. I can get that one since the store I buy from has it in stock, or I can wait however long till they get the iridis in stock. For someone with not much experience which one should I get and which one looks better?

In terms of appearance for me it’s the tamarin but they are also much more difficult. However if it’s eating already at the store that’s a huge bonus.
As for pods if you have a good Refugium and add phyto you should easily be able to sustain it. I have 8 wrasse and 2 mandarins and they still find plenty of pods.

Here’s my two:

 

[Lps_lover12]

I’d add pods weekly just to keep numbers high. More is better with pods IMO

I would agree with @Petcrazyson .

Skip the weekly pod additon, a tank can only support so many. What you need is to feed the micro life these wrasses hunt. Start feeding LIVE phytoplankton. You need to feed the microlife so it can establish and breed.

In terms of appearance for me it’s the tamarin but they are also much more difficult. However if it’s eating already at the store that’s a huge bonus.
As for pods if you have a good Refugium and add phyto you should easily be able to sustain it. I have 8 wrasse and 2 mandarins and they still find plenty of pods.

Here’s my two:

Thank you to all of you! That sure is a really tough call for me between the two. Their both stunning, I’m leaning more towards the iridis since it’s easier and I don’t trust myself enough for the tamarin lol. Thanks once again!

 

[homer1475]

This stunner was one of 2 beauties in the reefs at the Camden Aquarium.
All the cool stuff was upstairs in the kids section. Check out that hammer colony.
@SaltyT Was told you'd like this little guy The colors were stunning .

And this is Jenny. Jenny weighs 4,000 lbs. Jenny needs 1-800-97Jenny.
Got to watch her and Buttons eat.

That yellow staghorn damsel though :star-struck:

You can tell he's been around for a long time

That damsel is all like "who are you, and why are you on my turf?!

 

[homer1475]

Thank you to all of you! That sure is a really tough call for me between the two. Their both stunning, I’m leaning more towards the iridis since it’s easier and I don’t trust myself enough for the tamarin lol. Thanks once again!

Good call! I would save the tamarin for later on when you get more versed in wrassedom.

 

[i cant think]

Ok one more this or that . The photo I just saw of the yellow tail tamarin on this thread really caught my eye. I can get that one since the store I buy from has it in stock, or I can wait however long till they get the iridis in stock. For someone with not much experience which one should I get and which one looks better?

See…
The yellow tail tamarin is nice and all but reality is there are much nicer Anampses out there. Wait until Hawaii opens all the way and not just through a petty wrasseless list and you’ll have the chance on the nicest of Anampses species!
For now, go for the iridis, they have all the colours of an A. melargides/melanurus yet they still have more colouring :)

 

[Lps_lover12]

See…
The yellow tail tamarin is nice and all but reality is there are much nicer Anampses out there. Wait until Hawaii opens all the way and not just through a petty wrasseless list and you’ll have the chance on the nicest of Anampses species!
For now, go for the iridis, they have all the colours of an A. melargides/melanurus yet they still have more colouring :)

Good to hear! I hope they can get it in soon as I only have 2 fish left for stocking, the iridis and a diamond tail flasher.

 

[Slocke]

See…
The yellow tail tamarin is nice and all but reality is there are much nicer Anampses out there.

I wouldn’t say much. There are a couple but it’s still close. Here’s my from memory rankings of the Anampses:

1. Chrysocephalus
2. Femininus
3. Meleagrides
4. Neoguinaicus
5. Lennardi
6. Cuvier
7. Lineatus
8. Melanurus
9. Cearulepunctatus
10. Twistii
11. Elegans
12. Geographicus

 

[Slocke]

I wouldn’t say much. There are a couple but it’s still close. Here’s my from memory rankings of the Anampses:

1. Chrysocephalus
2. Femininus
3. Meleagrides
4. Neoguinaicus
5. Lennardi
6. Cuvier
7. Lineatus
8. Melanurus
9. Cearulepunctatus
10. Twistii
11. Elegans
12. Geographicus

Now I’m going through photos and am changing my rankings. Lennardi is incredible and every time I look at Melanurus and Lineatus I’m less impressed.

1. Chrysocephalus
2. Femininus
3. Lennardi
4. Meleagrides
5. Neoguinaicus
6. Cuvier
7. Cearulepunctatus
8. Twistii
9. Lineatus
10. Melanurus
11. Elegans
12. Geographicus

 

[Sink_or_Swim]

Wrasse Experts:

I know it's always technically possible, but what do you think would be the likelihood of major aggression from my large male melanurus if I were to add an adorned wrasse or an earmuff? He recently accepted the fairy wrasse I added no problem... but I know it's more dicey adding another halichoeres. I read somewhere that the adorned will eat fireworms, does that sound accurate? My mel doesn't touch them and I'm seeing some rather large ones again (hate those things!) :oops: I am however getting a little tired of the melanurus unaliving every dang snail I add to the tank... so maybe I should just skip anymore of that genus, lol. Wouldn't rehome the wrasse due to it, but it's still annoying (and an ongoing expense for replacement meals! I mean snails! :face-with-hand-over-mouth::face-with-tears-of-joy:). Also, he has never once bothered my fire shrimp or 3 little peppermints... and I'm nervous another wrasse might...)

 

[Petcrazyson]

Wrasse Experts:

I know it's always technically possible, but what do you think would be the likelihood of major aggression from my large male melanurus if I were to add an adorned wrasse or an earmuff? He recently accepted the fairy wrasse I added no problem... but I know it's more dicey adding another halichoeres. I read somewhere that the adorned will eat fireworms, does that sound accurate? My mel doesn't touch them and I'm seeing some rather large ones again (hate those things!) :oops: I am however getting a little tired of the melanurus unaliving every dang snail I add to the tank... so maybe I should just skip anymore of that genus, lol. Wouldn't rehome the wrasse due to it, but it's still annoying (and an ongoing expense for replacement meals! I mean snails! :face-with-hand-over-mouth::face-with-tears-of-joy:). Also, he has never once bothered my fire shrimp or 3 little peppermints... and I'm nervous another wrasse might...)

It’s hit and miss. All fish are different and they will reactor differently but there is the certainty it will interact with the new addition. Exactly how will be up to them but because there is an established wrasse with it’s territory already for some time and then you add a new comer that looks very similar eats the good it eats and likes the space(s) it likes then you can expect some sort of level of either or both curiosity and territorial/aggressiveness. How big is the Melanurus and how big is the new comer?

 

[Petcrazyson]

if I were to add an adorned wrasse or an earmuff? He recently accepted the fairy wrasse I added no problem... but I know it's more dicey adding another halichoeres. I read somewhere that the adorned will eat fireworms, does that sound accurate?

Some Halichoeres have a taste for bristleworms including fireworms so it’s probable they will eat it.

I’d go for the melasmapomus rather than the cosmetus IMO

 

[Lavey29]

Somebody waking up to start the day hunting tank pests.

 

[Slocke]

Wrasse Experts:

I know it's always technically possible, but what do you think would be the likelihood of major aggression from my large male melanurus if I were to add an adorned wrasse or an earmuff? He recently accepted the fairy wrasse I added no problem... but I know it's more dicey adding another halichoeres. I read somewhere that the adorned will eat fireworms, does that sound accurate? My mel doesn't touch them and I'm seeing some rather large ones again (hate those things!) :oops: I am however getting a little tired of the melanurus unaliving every dang snail I add to the tank... so maybe I should just skip anymore of that genus, lol. Wouldn't rehome the wrasse due to it, but it's still annoying (and an ongoing expense for replacement meals! I mean snails! :face-with-hand-over-mouth::face-with-tears-of-joy:). Also, he has never once bothered my fire shrimp or 3 little peppermints... and I'm nervous another wrasse might...)

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.

 

[Sink_or_Swim]

It’s hit and miss. All fish are different and they will reactor differently but there is the certainty it will interact with the new addition. Exactly how will be up to them but because there is an established wrasse with it’s territory already for some time and then you add a new comer that looks very similar eats the good it eats and likes the space(s) it likes then you can expect some sort of level of either or both curiosity and territorial/aggressiveness. How big is the Melanurus and how big is the new comer?

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?