What wrasse to accompany my male leopard?

[tikilover]

I have a male leopard wrasse, blue side wrasse, coral beauty, lemon peel angel, small Kole eye, pair of small clowns, flame hawk, and diamond goby. I wanted to finish tank with a female leopard but now considering a Naoko instead. Thoughts?

75 gallon , 4+year established tank, ideal parameters

 

[tbrown]

If you haven't been there already, most of the wrasse-heads and gurus are over at the wrasse lovers thread. That's a great place to ask these types of questions as well.

In the meantime: what type of wrasse are you looking for? What would be the purpose - utility, movement, color...? What's the budget? Are you specifically trying to decide between the female Leopard or Naoko or open to other suggestions?

@Slocke @i cant think are both good idea givers especially where wrasse are concerned.

The Wrasse Lover's Thread!

I love me some wrasse's, so I want to see everyone's wrasse pictures! Please share! I've been practicing my fish taking.. Snapped a decent one of my Naoko Wrasse, still need to polish up on my skills though! Edit: Forgot my earmuff! Colors since this picture have really improved!

www.reef2reef.com

 

[tikilover]

Literally my first post- thanks for the suggestion. I’m open to other suggestions for wrasse Color and compatibility are my priorities.

 

[tbrown]

Literally my first post- thanks for the suggestion. I’m open to other suggestions for wrasse Color and compatibility are my priorities.

It's all good! I wasn't calling you out. This is completely the right place for this thread, just offering an awesome hang out thread with a lot of knowledgeable wrasse lovers that can help you.

 

[JoJosReef]

Which leopard wrasse do you have?

 

[Fish Styx]

My answer will always be "another leopard".

 

[JoJosReef]

My answer will always be "another leopard".

Good advice! And here I was debating on another leopard or not, too!

 

[Rugops]

Pintail Wrasses are really personable. Able to hold its own (relatively).

 

[Slocke]

Another leopard is a good suggestion but I would go with a different species of leopard. My suggestions for fairies I already have pointed out in this diagram.

Then a small species of flasher like a blue or a filamented flasher

Finally has would consider a peaceful Halichoeres like the radiant.

 

[Fish Styx]

^ He's probably the most knowledgeable wrasse person here. You're in good hands!

 

[Slocke]

^ He's probably the most knowledgeable wrasse person here. You're in good hands!

Thanks I’ll take that until @i cant think shows up

 

[Fish Styx]

Until @i cant think shows up

Fair point.

 

[i cant think]

I have a male leopard wrasse, blue side wrasse, coral beauty, lemon peel angel, small Kole eye, pair of small clowns, flame hawk, and diamond goby. I wanted to finish tank with a female leopard but now considering a Naoko instead. Thoughts?

75 gallon , 4+year established tank, ideal parameters

I agree with what the others have said, you’re pretty good with most other species of wrasse.
One risk you have is the Cyanopleura, he’s likely to be boisterous towards smaller flashers and fairies. So if you were to add some of them to the tank then I recommend using an acclimation box.

You shouldn’t have any issues adding sand sleeping species like other Leopards, Halichoeres, maybe (if you don’t feel too scared) Anampses.

Just a couple species I’d recommend considering;
Halichoeres iridis (As Slocke has mentioned)
Halichoeres leucoxanthus
Halichoeres marginatus
Halichoeres biocellatus
Cirrhilabrus naokoae (This should cope well but definitely use an acclimation box just in case)
Cirrhilabrus lubbocki
Cirrhilabrus finifenmaa
Cirrhilabrus balteus
Cirrhilabrus hygroxerus
Cirrhilabrus flavidorsalis
Cirrhilabrus laboutei
Paracheilinus octotaenia
Paracheilinus attenuatus
Paracheilinus mccoskeri
Macropharyngodon bipartitus
Macropharyngodon negrosensis
Macropharyngodon ornatus
(The Macropharyngodon species’ are assuming you’ve got the meleagris already).

Depending how you feel then also look into;
Anampses meleagris
Anampses neoguinaicus
Anampses lineatus
Anampses melanurus

With the Cirrhilabrus species, pick a species from the pale orange colour on the chart above, these have even ‘aggression’ to your blue sided fairy.

 

[tikilover]

Which leopard wrasse do you have?

Macropharyngodon meleagris) I believe based on picture

 

[tikilover]

Which leopard wrasse do you have?

 

[tikilover]

I agree with what the others have said, you’re pretty good with most other species of wrasse.
One risk you have is the Cyanopleura, he’s likely to be boisterous towards smaller flashers and fairies. So if you were to add some of them to the tank then I recommend using an acclimation box.

You shouldn’t have any issues adding sand sleeping species like other Leopards, Halichoeres, maybe (if you don’t feel too scared) Anampses.

Just a couple species I’d recommend considering;
Halichoeres iridis (As Slocke has mentioned)
Halichoeres leucoxanthus
Halichoeres marginatus
Halichoeres biocellatus
Cirrhilabrus naokoae (This should cope well but definitely use an acclimation box just in case)
Cirrhilabrus lubbocki
Cirrhilabrus finifenmaa
Cirrhilabrus balteus
Cirrhilabrus hygroxerus
Cirrhilabrus flavidorsalis
Cirrhilabrus laboutei
Paracheilinus octotaenia
Paracheilinus attenuatus
Paracheilinus mccoskeri
Macropharyngodon bipartitus
Macropharyngodon negrosensis
Macropharyngodon ornatus
(The Macropharyngodon species’ are assuming you’ve got the meleagris already).

Depending how you feel then also look into;
Anampses meleagris
Anampses neoguinaicus
Anampses lineatus
Anampses melanurus

With the Cirrhilabrus species, pick a species from the pale orange colour on the chart above, these have even ‘aggression’ to your blue sided fairy.

I have interest in a Melanarus as well. Naoko seems to have an interesting personality which is why I was drawn to it. Color wise I love Melanarus or Christmas. Ruby longfin is pretty for a smaller one. I just want to keep the harmony in the tank.

 

[JoJosReef]

Black leopard wrasse would be a nice complement to the meleagris. I think the Xmas Halichoeres claudia has a better reputation for being peaceful long term than the melanurus. Pictures don't do justice for the radiant wrasse Halichoeres iridis.

 

[tikilover]

Black leopard wrasse would be a nice complement to the meleagris. I think the Xmas Halichoeres claudia has a better reputation for being peaceful long term than the melanurus. Pictures don't do justice for the radiant wrasse Halichoeres iridis.

I’ll have to look those up! Thanks

 

[tikilover]

Another leopard is a good suggestion but I would go with a different species of leopard. My suggestions for fairies I already have pointed out in this diagram.

Then a small species of flasher like a blue or a filamented flasher

Finally has would consider a peaceful Halichoeres like the radiant.

Ok given the fish I already have and my tank size- can I get a Melanarus?

 

[tikilover]

I agree with what the others have said, you’re pretty good with most other species of wrasse.
One risk you have is the Cyanopleura, he’s likely to be boisterous towards smaller flashers and fairies. So if you were to add some of them to the tank then I recommend using an acclimation box.

You shouldn’t have any issues adding sand sleeping species like other Leopards, Halichoeres, maybe (if you don’t feel too scared) Anampses.

Just a couple species I’d recommend considering;
Halichoeres iridis (As Slocke has mentioned)
Halichoeres leucoxanthus
Halichoeres marginatus
Halichoeres biocellatus
Cirrhilabrus naokoae (This should cope well but definitely use an acclimation box just in case)
Cirrhilabrus lubbocki
Cirrhilabrus finifenmaa
Cirrhilabrus balteus
Cirrhilabrus hygroxerus
Cirrhilabrus flavidorsalis
Cirrhilabrus laboutei
Paracheilinus octotaenia
Paracheilinus attenuatus
Paracheilinus mccoskeri
Macropharyngodon bipartitus
Macropharyngodon negrosensis
Macropharyngodon ornatus
(The Macropharyngodon species’ are assuming you’ve got the meleagris already).

Depending how you feel then also look into;
Anampses meleagris
Anampses neoguinaicus
Anampses lineatus
Anampses melanurus

With the Cirrhilabrus species, pick a species from the pale orange colour on the chart above, these have even ‘aggression’ to your blue sided fairy.

Leaning to a Melanarus- do you think that will work with what I already have? My original intention was to get a female leopard but I love the color of the Melanarus and Christmas wrasses.