Wrasse Questions

[Onedeadbob]

Couple wrasse questions for you wrasse nuts out there :bigsmile:

1. I want to include some different wrasse species in my 180g. I’m interested in Flame, McCoskers, and Blue Flasher. Is it possible to keep these 3 types together or would there be too much aggression?

2. How many of each species would be appropriate; would like to do 1 male of each and a couple females (2 or 3) for each.

3. For the flame wrasse, if I purchase 3 females (cheaper than 2 females and 1 male), how much aggression should I expect while one of them is becoming male? Is it about the same as with 2 juvenile clowns and the dominant one is becoming female? I just experienced the change with my 2 black and white occellaris; they beat each other up! I was worried about them for a while.

Thanks for any help!

 

[FishLipz]

Oh boy, another wrasse man on here. These are just my experiences and are in no way gospel.

1. Yes you can keep all three together. Nice choices by the way, these are three of my favs. You may see some aggression between the flashers, but in a 180 there should be enough room for them to get out of eachothers way.

2. I like pairs or harems just like you said. 1 male and 1-3 females.

3. If you add all the females at the same time (it's gonna be better this way) they will probably squabble a bit until a hierarchy gets established. You should be fine

 

[RogerWilco357]

ahh that is what I wanted to know ..I too would love to have alot of wrasse in my tank and anthias ..which wrasse are you looking forward to getting ?

 

[Onedeadbob]

Oh boy, another wrasse man on here. These are just my experiences and are in no way gospel.

1. Yes you can keep all three together. Nice choices by the way, these are three of my favs. You may see some aggression between the flashers, but in a 180 there should be enough room for them to get out of eachothers way.

2. I like pairs or harems just like you said. 1 male and 1-3 females.

3. If you add all the females at the same time (it's gonna be better this way) they will probably squabble a bit until a hierarchy gets established. You should be fine

If I am going to add the species at separate times, which order should they be introduced to the tank? or maybe a better question, how about ordering them from least aggressive to most aggressive (add the least aggressive first I believe).

 

[Onedeadbob]

ahh that is what I wanted to know ..I too would love to have alot of wrasse in my tank and anthias ..which wrasse are you looking forward to getting ?

I think the wrasse I am looking forward to the most would be the McCoskers, but i really like the blue flasher and the flame :bigsmile:

 

[Alattner]

keep us updated on this because i would love to know how it works adding three to your tank i would like to add multiple wrasses to my 220 when i get it up

 

[akabryanhall]

I have seen great success just keeping males present, not sure if keeping harems will be the best with similar wrasses, such as the blue and mcCoskers. Not sure but couldnt this cause more problems?

 

[Onedeadbob]

I have seen great success just keeping males present, not sure if keeping harems will be the best with similar wrasses, such as the blue and mcCoskers. Not sure but couldnt this cause more problems?

That is what I am worried about!

What about only 2 harems, say McCosker and Flame or Blue Flasher and Flame? Are those 2 species different enough that they would be ok in a 6' tank?

 

[FishLipz]

I think you could pull off all three as long as you aren't doing big groups and just pairs. A 180 should be enough space. If you really don't want to press your luck, and good luck catching a wrasse in a 180 if you need to, go with the flasher first then the flames IMO. My male flame is very testy about anything thats added into the tank now that he is settled.

 

[dougers31]

We just helped a guy tear down his 120 and I believe he had 2 and possibly three 4+ in wrasses in there... best part is he gave'em away along with all his livestock.

 

[FishLipz]

If you want to see how many you can keep together check out Brad Syphus' collection here.

WMAS Message Board - July TOTM "Tile man" 2009

 

[akabryanhall]

I think either do the flame and mcCosker harem, or stick with males only and throw the blue flasher in the mix

 

[Brad Syphus]

You will be fine with all 3 species. Add the flame fairy wrasses last, they are fairy wrasses and totally different than flasher wrasses. The flashers are much smalller. So, I would go blue, Mckosker, flame.

 

[FishLipz]

^^^Trust this guy.....he'll save your wrasse :xd:^^^

 

[Onedeadbob]

Thanks for all the replies everyone!

I think either do the flame and mcCosker harem, or stick with males only and throw the blue flasher in the mix

I am giving serous thought to going this route; I would hate to get them into the tank and then find out it is not working.

You will be fine with all 3 species. Add the flame fairy wrasses last, they are fairy wrasses and totally different than flasher wrasses. The flashers are much smalller. So, I would go blue, Mckosker, flame.

Thanks for the info Brad! If I decide to try all 3, I appreciate the correct ordering :bigsmile:

On a side note, I am really interested in seeing your tank sometime. Are you going to be on the Utah Reef "reef tour" this spring? I didn't make the trip up from Boise last year, but I think I might do it this time around.

 

[Brad Syphus]

Thanks for all the replies everyone!



I am giving serous thought to going this route; I would hate to get them into the tank and then find out it is not working.



Thanks for the info Brad! If I decide to try all 3, I appreciate the correct ordering :bigsmile:

On a side note, I am really interested in seeing your tank sometime. Are you going to be on the Utah Reef "reef tour" this spring? I didn't make the trip up from Boise last year, but I think I might do it this time around.

That's a very good question. My daughter is getting married April 16th and the reef tour is on the 9th. I've been on thee tour for the last 6 years, but I might have to miss this one. I haven't decided yet.
But you don't have to wait for the tour. If you make it down to SLC. just let me know, you are more than welcome to stop by.

 

[Alattner]

That's a very good question. My daughter is getting married April 16th and the reef tour is on the 9th. I've been on thee tour for the last 6 years, but I might have to miss this one. I haven't decided yet.
But you don't have to wait for the tour. If you make it down to SLC. just let me know, you are more than welcome to stop by.

just skip the wedding and go on the tour it will be worth it. btw i am just joking your daughters wedding is more important