To wrasse or not to wrasse

[DmitryB]

I wanted to add a wrasse to my 170, only reef safe. I had settled on Melanurus because of the coloration (green!), but then a closer look revealed this reef safe wrasse will eat shrimp, which I don't want to sacrifice. Ditto Christmas wrasse. So what other colorful, small-ish and totally reef safe wrasses does that leave? Obviously not a Sixline. Any green ones left? (There is a surprisingly small number of green fish! But it seems to be the most common coral color.)

 

[mmorrison55]

Pin tail wrasse, or for that matter, most any of the ‘fairy’ wrasses should leave your shrimp alone.

I had a rosyscale wrasse and it lived with my bloodshrimp for as long as the wrasse lasted in my tank, about 4 months. After it dies, I replaced it with the pintail and it’s been in my tank now for about 8 months.

The blood shrimp has been in my tank since I started it. In Jan 2025

 

[mmorrison55]

Caveat. Just make sure your wrasse is not too large when adding and your shrimp too small. Otherwise, they should be fine.

 

[DmitryB]

Caveat. Just make sure your wrasse is not too large when adding and your shrimp too small. Otherwise, they should be fine.

Always something with these wrasses!!

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

What did you come up with?

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

I have a full-ish grown Timor Wrasse with a Blood Shrimp and it doesn't bother the shrimp at all.

Nassarius snails however...

Of course there is the green coris wrasse, which I believe is fairly similar to a yellow coris wrasse but still should be kept with caution around some smaller inverts.

 

[CheifReeferNB]

Rhomboid wrasses are neat with hints of green.

Ornate leopard wrasses are awesome with striking green and orange contrast. Of course those come with the caveat of difficulty.

 

[Fishing Reefer]

Love my leopard wrasse