The Wrasse Lover's Thread!

[Slocke]

Well I’m being sent by work to place where the wrasse tails are redder and their bodies golder….

 

[JoJosReef]

Well I’m being sent by work to place where the wrasse tails are redder and their bodies golder….

 

[Alpha_and_Gec]

Two years ago my lfs had an Epibulus insidiator, the common slingjaw wrasse, and my idiot butt almost took him home before I found out how big he will get and cancelled the transaction on the last second. However, I am currently considering this fish's smaller relative, Epibulus brevis, for my tank, because I had come across this genus again as a model for a random engineering project I thought of. Just considering... I am uncertain whether I actually want to go through the trouble of ordering one from my lfs, and that's why I'm asking here. Anyone had experience with slingjaws? Are they rockmovers? Do they peck at corals(doubt)? This is the peak of cool teleost and if I don't get one now, I must have one within my lifetime.

@Slocke @i cant think any thoughts? I'm sure I don't have any fish that can fit inside even a mature brevis, but I'm not sure about aggression or any mayhem that may be caused.

 

[Alpha_and_Gec]

oh also cleaner pics
they fear white light
(the engineer brought out the frag plug, it's empty)

 

[Slocke]

@Slocke @i cant think any thoughts? I'm sure I don't have any fish that can fit inside even a mature brevis, but I'm not sure about aggression or any mayhem that may be caused.

They are fairly peaceful or so I'm told. They will eat any fish that fits in its mouth so its more like a predatory fish then most wrasse but if your fish are big enough they should be fine. The issue is that the two species are actually about the same size. They vary far more in color than size with the dwarf, brevis only about a half inch shorter.

 

[Alpha_and_Gec]

They are fairly peaceful or so I'm told. They will eat any fish that fits in its mouth so its more like a predatory fish then most wrasse but if your fish are big enough they should be fine. The issue is that the two species are actually about the same size. They vary far more in color than size with the dwarf, brevis only about a half inch shorter.

Huh? Fishbase cites 18.5cm max for brevis and a gargantuan half - meter for insidiator. That's a pretty big difference. Although, I haven't seen anyone with a brevis yet...

also drawing fire from other wrasses without fighting back is always good. My marginatus is mean at mealtimes.

 

[Slocke]

Huh? Fishbase cites 18.5cm max for brevis and a gargantuan half - meter for insidiator. That's a pretty big difference. Although, I haven't seen anyone with a brevis yet...

also drawing fire from other wrasses without fighting back is always good.

Hmmm
My book is confusing, may have made a mistake. It lists insidiators max length twice, at both 25cm and 35cm. And Brevis at 24cm. I trust fishbase though so go with them.

 

[Alpha_and_Gec]

Hmmm
My book is confusing, may have made a mistake. It lists insidiators max length twice, at both 25cm and 35cm. And Brevis at 24cm. I trust fishbase though so go with them.

awesome. I will ask my lfs if they can get them... best wrasse ever.
(well, nothing beats the hogfish yet, buuuuut)

 

[Tcook]

awesome. I will ask my lfs if they can get them... best wrasse ever.
(well, nothing beats the hogfish yet, buuuuut)

Is it going to be in a monster of a tank with very large tangs? I would imagine that this fish will grow quickly and eat every fish in your tank.

 

[Alpha_and_Gec]

Is it going to be in a monster of a tank with very large tangs? I would imagine that this fish will grow quickly and eat every fish in your tank.

Brevis is much smaller than insidiator, being roughly the same as a max marginatus. Should be fine in an 80 since they aren't pursuit predators.

 

[i cant think]

Although, I haven't seen anyone with a brevis yet...

Generally, this is a sign that this wrasse isn’t suitable for most aquariums. I will say there’s exceptions in certain fish (For example, Tilefish) however generally if you find wrasses that aren’t kept there’s usually a reason behind it.

As much as I do look at fishbase for their information, IMO the books will be better. Fishbase is a site that generally takes information from other places whereas books are more than likely written by people who have ‘experienced’ this species and studied them. You should still take into account that 24cm length (9in). If you want a wrasse similar to the Epibulus species then go for the Pteragosus genus. These are generally all smaller species with a max size of around 4-5in however they share a similar body shape to Epibulus but without the larger sizes. Look at Pteragosus aurigarius and Pteragosus cryptus.

 

[i cant think]

Well, I think I’ve acted too late… I saw him laying on the sandbed today and moved him instead of the Jade, hopefully he’ll make it. His fins were torn apart so I’m certain it’s the Jade that is the issue. Now just to see who he picks on next…

 

[Slocke]

I got to help stock a predator tank. What do you think of their wrasse choice

 

[Slocke]

And if you think that’s a big wrasse my friend has an even bigger one in quarantine.

 

[i cant think]

And if you think that’s a big wrasse my friend has an even bigger one in quarantine.

Is his name napoleon?

 

[i cant think]

I got to help stock a predator tank. What do you think of their wrasse choice

He’s beautiful but… should’ve gone for a female ;)

 

[Slocke]

He’s beautiful but… should’ve gone for a female ;)

They were having issues because they had several aggressive tangs that would kill every new addition so my suggestions had to be big and tough. So the lutescens and a porcupine puffer is what she chose.

 

[Slocke]

Hawaii

 

[Tcook]

Well, I think I’ve acted too late… I saw him laying on the sandbed today and moved him instead of the Jade, hopefully he’ll make it. His fins were torn apart so I’m certain it’s the Jade that is the issue. Now just to see who he picks on next…

Is that the male radiant? I thought the jade was gone. So sorry. Beautiful clam btw

 

[i cant think]

Is that the male radiant? I thought the jade was gone. So sorry. Beautiful clam btw

Unfortunately yes, and he’s just gotten worse.