The Wrasse Lover's Thread!

[KJoFan]

Released my new lineatus male into my tank this week, no aggression thus far, also just picked up a Macropharyngodon negrosesis, (she went right into the dt I don’t qt leopards), now I have a potters, a Melagris and a bipartisus

Until I grab a pic of both my new fish, here is my massive melagris female

You always have such huge wrasses! All are the biggest I've seen. You really must spoil them. :)

I lost my Potter's a little while back to what I can only assume was a bad case of flukes and they are so hard to find, let alone a healthy one, I'm bummed about it.

 

[saltyhog]

Great video @Mike_J ! I love it that the Flame was standing up to the Lineatus! Mine that I bought as a small female is flashing and standing up to the dominant fairy in the tank now. I bet he becomes top dog soon.

 

[evolved]

Does this indicate the rubeus is nearing the end of his life? How long do they typically live? What kind of signs do they show when they are about to go?

It could be nearing the end, but not necessarily. Dynamics can/do change between fish as they all get older. IME, once they start to "look old", you've got about a year left. In the final months, they'll lose girth and get pretty thin.

Soory I have a melanurus wrasse. I was curious if they would be okay with other wrasse or not?

Usually fine, but some specimens are not very tolerant of other Halichoeres. Other genera shouldn't be an issue.

But, is there any chance of reintroduction at this point (after x amount of time in QT to let my other fish recover) or will it likely be better off rehomed?

Mmm, maybe. When completely removing them, it can sometimes reset things. But simply putting them in an acclimation box once they've reached that point has never made any difference for me.

 

[ngoodermuth]

Mmm, maybe. When completely removing them, it can sometimes reset things. But simply putting them in an acclimation box once they've reached that point has never made any difference for me.

In your opinion, would another fairy wrasse maybe make a difference as well? I was thinking about putting a top on my frag tank and moving the lineatus down there temporarily. Meanwhile, finding a fourth fairy to QT. Once QT is finished, either add the new wrasse first... then the lineatus? Or both at the same time? Any particular wrasse that might work best to help keep the lineatus in check? The jordani and pintail are both extremely docile... but, my LFS does have a rubrisquamis I could maybe pick-up? Any other recommendations? I would REALLY love to find a way to make this work...

 

[dwest]

In your opinion, would another fairy wrasse maybe make a difference as well? I was thinking about putting a top on my frag tank and moving the lineatus down there temporarily. Meanwhile, finding a fourth fairy to QT. Once QT is finished, either add the new wrasse first... then the lineatus? Or both at the same time? Any particular wrasse that might work best to help keep the lineatus in check? The jordani and pintail are both extremely docile... but, my LFS does have a rubrisquamis I could maybe pick-up? Any other recommendations? I would REALLY love to find a way to make this work...

I’m following this. I was hoping to get a lineatus to round out my collection of the more passive fairies and some flashers. I would have expected the lineatus to behave. Now I’m rethinking this.

Good luck!

 

[ngoodermuth]

I’m following this. I was hoping to get a lineatus to round out my collection of the more passive fairies and some flashers. I would have expected the lineatus to behave. Now I’m rethinking this.

Good luck!

Thanks... I seem to have a knack for getting the "abnormally aggressive" of the "peaceful" fish... It could very well be because I usually buy females rather than males to save a little money. I think the females are a bit more boisterous because they are constantly challenging the males to transition.

 

[erk]

It could be nearing the end, but not necessarily. Dynamics can/do change between fish as they all get older. IME, once they start to "look old", you've got about a year left. In the final months, they'll lose girth and get pretty thin.

Yeah, this guy is starting to look "old." Not sure how to explain what old looks like for a fish, but he has begun to lose some girth. If this is the case, then I'm guessing I've got about 6 months left.

 

[dwest]

Thanks... I seem to have a knack for getting the "abnormally aggressive" of the "peaceful" fish... It could very well be because I usually buy females rather than males to save a little money. I think the females are a bit more boisterous because they are constantly challenging the males to transition.

Interesting. I buy the females as well.

 

[saltyhog]

I think it's just bad luck! I have a couple of Cirrhilabrus that were bought as females (C. jordani, C. exquisitus) and they are no more or less aggressive than their species would be expected to be.....then again I could just be having good luck.

 

[evolved]

In your opinion, would another fairy wrasse maybe make a difference as well? I was thinking about putting a top on my frag tank and moving the lineatus down there temporarily. Meanwhile, finding a fourth fairy to QT. Once QT is finished, either add the new wrasse first... then the lineatus? Or both at the same time?

Adding another could make it better, but definitely add them at the same time.

Any particular wrasse that might work best to help keep the lineatus in check?

Does anyone have a crystal ball I could borrow? :)

I’m following this. I was hoping to get a lineatus to round out my collection of the more passive fairies and some flashers. I would have expected the lineatus to behave. Now I’m rethinking this.

Good luck!

I've had 4 different ones over the years, and I've never had one that's very aggressive. One was a medium amount of aggressive, but not that bad.

Not sure how to explain what old looks like for a fish, but he has begun to lose some girth.

Yeah, me either - but I'd say your thoughts sound about right.

I think it's just bad luck!

Agree!

 

[aherre07]

So I have a super Male labouti wrasse that was just not having any part of my recently added pintail wrasse. I had placed the pintail in an acclimation box for about a week or so and decided to release the it when the labouti stopped showing interest in it. The minute I opened the box the labouti was not having any part of the pintail. The pintail swam right back into the box luckily which is where I left him for another week.

Plan b was going to be to find a lineatus, flame and radiant wrasse asap to be added all at once and release the pintail at that time. Well as my luck would go I would find 1 of the wrasse at a time but never all 3 at the same time.

All the while the pintail is in the acclimation box. So today I went to my LFS and they had a really nice carpenter's so home it came. I released the pintail and carpenter's at the same time, meanwhile I came up with plan c.

Plan C: put the labouti into the acclimation box while the pintail and carpenter's settle in. Search for those wrasse mentioned above, put them in the tank and then re-release the labouti. First part of plan c was a success and the labouti is now residing in the acclimation box. So now time to find a few more wrasses to keep the labouti distracted when released back into the display. Wish me luck

 

[Geebs19]

Hey all. Just got my first wrasse, melanurus wrasse. Love the color and the activeness of this guy. Anyways I was curious to know what you would recommend for a few other wrasses? I just love how active they are and hoping adding activeness will bring my shy fish out.

 

[Jcarvallo]

Quick questions.
I already have a male solon and a male lubbocky, a melanorus, a yellowfin flasher and one halichoeres leucoxanthus.

Do you think those 2 could have problems being introduces to my tank? (150cmsx60cmsx50cms)

 

[evolved]

Quick questions.
I already have a male solon and a male lubbocky, a melanorus, a yellowfin flasher and one halichoeres leucoxanthus.

Do you think those 2 could have problems being introduces to my tank? (150cmsx60cmsx50cms)

Which 2? Sorry; question isn't clear. But all of those should be okay together.

 

[Jcarvallo]

My bad... Wrong forum....
Sorry

 

[MIKE NY]

So I have a super Male labouti wrasse that was just not having any part of my recently added pintail wrasse. I had placed the pintail in an acclimation box for about a week or so and decided to release the it when the labouti stopped showing interest in it. The minute I opened the box the labouti was not having any part of the pintail. The pintail swam right back into the box luckily which is where I left him for another week.

Plan b was going to be to find a lineatus, flame and radiant wrasse asap to be added all at once and release the pintail at that time. Well as my luck would go I would find 1 of the wrasse at a time but never all 3 at the same time.

All the while the pintail is in the acclimation box. So today I went to my LFS and they had a really nice carpenter's so home it came. I released the pintail and carpenter's at the same time, meanwhile I came up with plan c.

Plan C: put the labouti into the acclimation box while the pintail and carpenter's settle in. Search for those wrasse mentioned above, put them in the tank and then re-release the labouti. First part of plan c was a success and the labouti is now residing in the acclimation box. So now time to find a few more wrasses to keep the labouti distracted when released back into the display. Wish me luck

Good luck...I have tried all those plans you have mentioned, but sometimes it just doesn’t work out. A large tank and multiple feedings does help......

 

[jake_francis]

So I have a super Male labouti wrasse that was just not having any part of my recently added pintail wrasse. I had placed the pintail in an acclimation box for about a week or so and decided to release the it when the labouti stopped showing interest in it. The minute I opened the box the labouti was not having any part of the pintail. The pintail swam right back into the box luckily which is where I left him for another week.

Plan b was going to be to find a lineatus, flame and radiant wrasse asap to be added all at once and release the pintail at that time. Well as my luck would go I would find 1 of the wrasse at a time but never all 3 at the same time.

All the while the pintail is in the acclimation box. So today I went to my LFS and they had a really nice carpenter's so home it came. I released the pintail and carpenter's at the same time, meanwhile I came up with plan c.

Plan C: put the labouti into the acclimation box while the pintail and carpenter's settle in. Search for those wrasse mentioned above, put them in the tank and then re-release the labouti. First part of plan c was a success and the labouti is now residing in the acclimation box. So now time to find a few more wrasses to keep the labouti distracted when released back into the display. Wish me luck

What works for me sometimes is going dark. Turn the lights off, cover the glass with paper to prevent lights shining into the tank for 2 days. And feed multiple times a day.

 

[aherre07]

Thanks for the tips on getting these wrasses to mesh well. I will keep an eye on them once I release the Labouti back into the display

 

[Utkarsh]

180g having
Carpenter flasher wrasse
Labout's fairy wrasse
Exquisite fairy wrasse
Yellow and purple wrasse (H. Leucoxanthus)

Can i add another halichoeres, preferably Melanurus wrasse (H.melanurus) or Red lined wrasse (H.biocellatus)

 

[Leo58]

I have a question for the wrasse experts here. I have two dragonets in the tank already so what kind of wrasse can I keep that won't compete with them for pods? I would appreciate the advice.