The Wrasse Lover's Thread!

[mfinn]

@i cant think , I have a couple questions ( anybody else too)
I have 2 male meleagris wrasses in my 240. Originally I added 3 females about 8-9 years ago. One turned male within a year and the other 2 stayed female for several years. One day I realized the smaller female was gone.
I figured that I have a pair and this stayed for a year or so. Then I noticed the female was changing and I made an attempt to catch either, but no luck. So for the past 5-6 years both are full on male, both about 4". They get along, there isn't any aggression between. They take turns following each other.
Given it's been this long, is this a permanent and reasonable relationship?
Big question, I wanted to add 1 or 2 female bipartitus wrasses and was wondering if that would be a dumb idea?

 

[i cant think]

@i cant think , I have a couple questions ( anybody else too)
I have 2 male meleagris wrasses in my 240. Originally I added 3 females about 8-9 years ago. One turned male within a year and the other 2 stayed female for several years. One day I realized the smaller female was gone.
I figured that I have a pair and this stayed for a year or so. Then I noticed the female was changing and I made an attempt to catch either, but no luck. So for the past 5-6 years both are full on male, both about 4". They get along, there isn't any aggression between. They take turns following each other.
Given it's been this long, is this a permanent and reasonable relationship?
Big question, I wanted to add 1 or 2 female bipartitus wrasses and was wondering if that would be a dumb idea?

If you added a bipartitus id go for 3 females if you can, this will outnumber both male meleagris :)

Also, they are likely getting along because your tank is a nice large system

 

[mfinn]

If you added a bipartitus id go for 3 females if you can, this will outnumber both male meleagris :)

Also, they are likely getting along because your tank is a nice large system

I do like multiples of wrasses.
The only thing I'm worried about is messing up the strange friendship (?) of the 2 males in there now.

 

[JoJosReef]

Discussing with Dr. Reef about replacements for the dead wrasses (3 so far). I mostly don't want another dead fish. Soliciting opinions about the options below.

First, here's the order history:
1. Royal flasher wrasse (P. angulatus) -- didn't make it out the facilities
2. Linespot flasher wrasse (P. lineopunctatus) -- didn't make it out the facilities
3. Hooded flame fairy wrasse female (C. bathyphilus) -- DOA

Second, here is what's currently in the tank:
1. Blue star leopard wrasse female (M. bipartitus)
2. Splendid pencil wrasse male (P. splendens)
3. Exquisite fairy wrasse male (C. exquisitus)
4. Pink streak wrasse male (P. ataenia)
5. Pink streak wrasse female (P. ataenia)
6. One spot foxface M/F? (S. unimaculatus)
7. Copperband butterfly female (C. rostratus)

Here is what I plan to add later that isn't available from Dr. Reef or I'm getting from Biota (Gift Card):
1. Radiant wrasse juvenile (H. iridis)
2. Blue flasher wrasse (P. cyaneus)
3. Mandarin

I'm going to ask Dr. Reef: (a) what is your success rate with the following wrasses?; (b) do you have any of the following wrasses QT'd and available?; (c) Do you have juveniles/females of the following wrasses?

Candidates:
1. China pearl black-backed wrasse (A. neoguinaicus) -- by itself
2. Royal flasher wrasse (P. angulatus) -- + small goby
3. Linespot flasher wrasse (P. lineopunctatus) -- + goby or dragonette
4. Adorned wrasse (H. cosmetus) -- + goby or dragonette
5. Hooded flame fairy wrasse female (C. bathyphilus) -- by itself
6. Carpenter flasher wrasse (P. carpenteri) -- + goby or dragonette
7. Lubbock's fairy wrasse (C. lubbocki) -- + goby or dragonette

Due to my credit, some of these wrasses I could combine with a small goby or dragonette (ruby dragonette--only concern is if it will do well with the upcoming Biota mandarin).

Tank is 48x20x20 83 gallon:

Thanks!

 

[i cant think]

Discussing with Dr. Reef about replacements for the dead wrasses (3 so far). I mostly don't want another dead fish. Soliciting opinions about the options below.

First, here's the order history:
1. Royal flasher wrasse (P. angulatus) -- didn't make it out the facilities
2. Linespot flasher wrasse (P. lineopunctatus) -- didn't make it out the facilities
3. Hooded flame fairy wrasse female (C. bathyphilus) -- DOA

Second, here is what's currently in the tank:
1. Blue star leopard wrasse female (M. bipartitus)
2. Splendid pencil wrasse male (P. splendens)
3. Exquisite fairy wrasse male (C. exquisitus)
4. Pink streak wrasse male (P. ataenia)
5. Pink streak wrasse female (P. ataenia)
6. One spot foxface M/F? (S. unimaculatus)
7. Copperband butterfly female (C. rostratus)

Here is what I plan to add later that isn't available from Dr. Reef or I'm getting from Biota (Gift Card):
1. Radiant wrasse juvenile (H. iridis)
2. Blue flasher wrasse (P. cyaneus)
3. Mandarin

I'm going to ask Dr. Reef: (a) what is your success rate with the following wrasses?; (b) do you have any of the following wrasses QT'd and available?; (c) Do you have juveniles/females of the following wrasses?

Candidates:
1. China pearl black-backed wrasse (A. neoguinaicus) -- by itself
2. Royal flasher wrasse (P. angulatus) -- + small goby
3. Linespot flasher wrasse (P. lineopunctatus) -- + goby or dragonette
4. Adorned wrasse (H. cosmetus) -- + goby or dragonette
5. Hooded flame fairy wrasse female (C. bathyphilus) -- by itself
6. Carpenter flasher wrasse (P. carpenteri) -- + goby or dragonette
7. Lubbock's fairy wrasse (C. lubbocki) -- + goby or dragonette

Due to my credit, some of these wrasses I could combine with a small goby or dragonette (ruby dragonette--only concern is if it will do well with the upcoming Biota mandarin).

Tank is 48x20x20 83 gallon:

Thanks!

I’d go for the Hooded flame, the others are fairly easy to grab but the two sand sleepers if you can, source from an LFS - China’s especially don’t ship well, I think he usually ships 2 tamarins and most of the time 1 passes away if not both.

 

[i cant think]

Oh, also my Flasher Friday candidate…

Yes, that guy is only 2.5-3 inches and already with the “supermale” colours (even in his resting phase he keeps the colour) :rolling-on-the-floor-laughing:

 

[i cant think]

Shes home ;)

 

[Slocke]

Discussing with Dr. Reef about replacements for the dead wrasses (3 so far). I mostly don't want another dead fish. Soliciting opinions about the options below.

First, here's the order history:
1. Royal flasher wrasse (P. angulatus) -- didn't make it out the facilities
2. Linespot flasher wrasse (P. lineopunctatus) -- didn't make it out the facilities
3. Hooded flame fairy wrasse female (C. bathyphilus) -- DOA

Second, here is what's currently in the tank:
1. Blue star leopard wrasse female (M. bipartitus)
2. Splendid pencil wrasse male (P. splendens)
3. Exquisite fairy wrasse male (C. exquisitus)
4. Pink streak wrasse male (P. ataenia)
5. Pink streak wrasse female (P. ataenia)
6. One spot foxface M/F? (S. unimaculatus)
7. Copperband butterfly female (C. rostratus)

Here is what I plan to add later that isn't available from Dr. Reef or I'm getting from Biota (Gift Card):
1. Radiant wrasse juvenile (H. iridis)
2. Blue flasher wrasse (P. cyaneus)
3. Mandarin

I'm going to ask Dr. Reef: (a) what is your success rate with the following wrasses?; (b) do you have any of the following wrasses QT'd and available?; (c) Do you have juveniles/females of the following wrasses?

Candidates:
1. China pearl black-backed wrasse (A. neoguinaicus) -- by itself
2. Royal flasher wrasse (P. angulatus) -- + small goby
3. Linespot flasher wrasse (P. lineopunctatus) -- + goby or dragonette
4. Adorned wrasse (H. cosmetus) -- + goby or dragonette
5. Hooded flame fairy wrasse female (C. bathyphilus) -- by itself
6. Carpenter flasher wrasse (P. carpenteri) -- + goby or dragonette
7. Lubbock's fairy wrasse (C. lubbocki) -- + goby or dragonette

Due to my credit, some of these wrasses I could combine with a small goby or dragonette (ruby dragonette--only concern is if it will do well with the upcoming Biota mandarin).

Tank is 48x20x20 83 gallon:

Thanks!

My hooded flame is the only Dr Reef wrasse from my last order that did well

 

[JoJosReef]

My hooded flame is the only Dr Reef wrasse from my last order that did well

You came back for me!

 

[JoJosReef]

You came back for me!

Opps, wrong reply

 

[JoJosReef]

My hooded flame is the only Dr Reef wrasse from my last order that did well

I'm thinking of keeping it simple and getting a wrasse of the same price so I'm not risking one out of two DOAs and repeating the process.

So it would be the neoguinaicus or the bathyphilus. If he's not having any bathyphilus in a while, I might consider the neoguinaicus--would that be compatible in the tank? Wasn't in my original plan, but... eh!

 

[i cant think]

And a better shot of my new girl… any guesses?
Currently thinking a female Nahackyi out of the 3 species just due to the amount of black and the spikes she has in her dorsal.

 

[Slocke]

A new bad boy!!

New video · Saturday, May 3, 2025 🎬

Tap to view!

photos.app.goo.gl

 

[i cant think]

A new bad boy!!

New video · Saturday, May 3, 2025 🎬

Tap to view!

photos.app.goo.gl

She is gorgeous

 

[Slocke]

She is gorgeous

She really stands out more than other fish!! Too bad this tank is going through a really bad caulerpa outbreak

 

[rzimm33]

And a better shot of my new girl… any guesses?
Currently thinking a female Nahackyi out of the 3 species just due to the amount of black and the spikes she has in her dorsal.

Some of these popped up this weekend for order my LFS let me know about. A bit pricey at $285 for a medium male

 

[Slocke]

The new tusk eats her veggies just like the H marginatus and G varius. The rest don't for some reason. Also, it has no ranking in the dominance tree, just like the hogfish. Maybe bodinae are to separate from the other wrasses to care?

Dominance tree:

1. N taeniourus
2. T lunare
3. H marginatus
4. G varius

 

[rzimm33]

So I decided to order my 3 last wrasse for my system. Anymore, and I think I might be pushing it. All 3 will be in an acclimation box for 2-4 days.

Have the following on the way:

Cirrhilabrus Lineatus (Australian)
Paracheilinus Rubricaudalis
Paracheilinus Cyaneus

Currently have in my system:
Cirrhilabrus isosceles
Cirrhilabrus rubeus
Paracheilinus octotaenia
Halichoeres chrysus

Other tank fish inhabitants:
Yellow tang
Tailspot Blenny
Longnose Hawkfish
Tiger Watchman Goby

The only other fish that has been on my wishlist is a Magnificent Foxface. Because I think they’re gorgeous, and to combat bubble algae.

If I were able to get 1 more wrasse it would definitely be a type of flame wrasse. Since Jordani is out of the question, probably a Nahackyi or Bathyphilus.


Right now the hierarchy in my tank is Yellow Tang on top followed by Hawkfish. Of the wrasse, they are actually all pretty civil with one another and never even really chase eachother.

 

[Gjedde]

So I decided to order my 3 last wrasse for my system. Anymore, and I think I might be pushing it. All 3 will be in an acclimation box for 2-4 days.

Have the following on the way:

Cirrhilabrus Lineatus (Australian)
Paracheilinus Rubricaudalis
Paracheilinus Cyaneus

Currently have in my system:
Cirrhilabrus isosceles
Cirrhilabrus rubeus
Paracheilinus octotaenia
Halichoeres chrysus

Other tank fish inhabitants:
Yellow tang
Tailspot Blenny
Longnose Hawkfish
Tiger Watchman Goby

The only other fish that has been on my wishlist is a Magnificent Foxface. Because I think they’re gorgeous, and to combat bubble algae.

If I were able to get 1 more wrasse it would definitely be a type of flame wrasse. Since Jordani is out of the question, probably a Nahackyi or Bathyphilus.


Right now the hierarchy in my tank is Yellow Tang on top followed by Hawkfish. Of the wrasse, they are actually all pretty civil with one another and never even really chase eachother.

What is your tank size? Your stocking will be somewhat similar to my 150 5’ er. Especially if you get the foxface.

 

[rzimm33]

What is your tank size? Your stocking will be somewhat similar to my 150 5’ er. Especially if you get the foxface.

My main system is a 120 4x2x2 with a 30 gallon sump (Waterbox infinia reef 150.4) which is what this stocking list is for.

If any fish start to outgrow the tank or become a problem, I can move them to a 125 6’ system.