Wrasse trio

[56longroof]

I'm hoping to add a trio of wrasse soon. What species (if any) would be the best bet to try? I was thinking Carpenters but I'm open to suggestions.

 

[i cant think]

I'm hoping to add a trio of wrasse soon. What species (if any) would be the best bet to try? I was thinking Carpenters but I'm open to suggestions.

Definitely none of the fairies/flashers. They are often all male when brought in and most can’t identify females of those species.

Also, doing trios of same species if it’s your first time with wrasse is highly unrecommended. The reason for this is if you don’t know the transitioning signs then you’ll likely end up with a bunch of males who fight to the death. The other thing that adds to the (already quite low) success rate is the tank size.

 

[56longroof]

Definitely none of the fairies/flashers. They are often all male when brought in and most can’t identify females of those species.

Also, doing trios of same species if it’s your first time with wrasse is highly unrecommended. The reason for this is if you don’t know the transitioning signs then you’ll likely end up with a bunch of males who fight to the death. The other thing that adds to the (already quite low) success rate is the tank size.

Thanks. Would a pair work and if so what species do you reccomend? If not reccomended at all, what would you advise for a mixed reef?

 

[i cant think]

Thanks. Would a pair work and if so what species do you reccomend? If not reccomended at all, what would you advise for a mixed reef?

Pairs tend to work worse.

Best thing to do is a mix of different species of wrasses rather than 1 species.
Here’s my main tank with I think 14 wrasses in total.

 

[Reefer1978]

Definitely none of the fairies/flashers.

How come none of these?

 

[Dburr1014]

How come none of these?

Definitely none of the fairies/flashers. They are often all male when brought in and most can’t identify females of those species.

When you end up with all males it just a matter of time only one left swimming.

 

[JoJosReef]

@i cant think if OP is not restricted to fairies/flashers, would a pair of leopards work?

 

[i cant think]

How come none of these?

Fairies/Flashers when grouped (same species) are most likely to transition and if you don’t know the signs (which in many cases aren’t all that obvious) you could end up with a full war.

 

[blecki]

If the tank is big enough a trio / larger group of Halichoeres will work. Halichoeres tend to be more mild-mannered and will tolerate similar species as long as they aren't too similar. I'd stay away from the bigger species, but have a trio of Canary, Xmas, and Vrolik's in my tank now. Just have to be careful that the fish you get are actually what you think they are - for example there are multiple species called 'christmas wrasse' in the hobby and one of them gets to be a foot long (and ugly) - you need to be extra sure you're actually getting Halichoeres ornatissimus which stays small (and gorgeous) and not a juvenile Thalassoma trilobatum. And I swear the importers just kinda... pick names out of a hat for these guys sometimes.

 

[56longroof]

I am planning on adding a leopard wrasse once the pod population has increased. I would definitely be open to a pair or trio.

 

[56longroof]

If the tank is big enough a trio / larger group of Halichoeres will work. Halichoeres tend to be more mild-mannered and will tolerate similar species as long as they aren't too similar. I'd stay away from the bigger species, but have a trio of Canary, Xmas, and Vrolik's in my tank now. Just have to be careful that the fish you get are actually what you think they are - for example there are multiple species called 'christmas wrasse' in the hobby and one of them gets to be a foot long (and ugly) - you need to be extra sure you're actually getting Halichoeres ornatissimus which stays small (and gorgeous) and not a juvenile Thalassoma trilobatum. And I swear the importers just kinda... pick names out of a hat for these guys sometimes.

The tank is a 150 gallon tall. Are there any Halichoeres more desirable over another? I like the yellow or Vroliks.

 

[JoJosReef]

Babi is quite desirable (Halichoeres pallidus). Then there's the jeweled wrasse (Halichoeres lapillus), but that one was previously classified as Macropharyngodon and then reclassified as Halichoeres, but a lot of people still call it a leopard. Regardless, very desirable.

 

[Cthulukelele]

If you find healthy, eating, aquarium acclimated specimens, leopard wrasse also usually get along well with one another.

 

[blecki]

For leopards, I could see them not liking a halichoeres that happens to have a similar stripey pattern.

Are there any Halichoeres more desirable over another? I like the yellow or Vroliks.

Whatever you want to look at really. Most of the genus (that is actually available for sale) is honestly relatively cheap for a reef fish. Like the $40-$50 range online. Sometimes the rarer kinds go for as much as $150. Only real downside of these wonderful fish is their relatively short lives.

 

[Baldguy]

Op, to be clear it's ok to have 3 flashers and/or 3 fairy wrasses as long as tank is big enough and species are different. Example .... 3 McCoskers flashers are a big NO. 1 McCoskers, 1 Line Spot and 1 Red Tail are good together.

 

[Cthulukelele]

Op, to be clear it's ok to have 3 flashers and/or 3 fairy wrasses as long as tank is big enough and species are different. Example .... 3 McCoskers flashers are a big NO. 1 McCoskers, 1 Line Spot and 1 Red Tail are good together.

I agree my only caveat is GET A SOFT NET LID. With multiple different fairies/flashers you will definitely get some light chasing even if they mostly get along and they love to chase each other out of the water often at high speeds. No lid = definitely floor. A glass/plastic lid they can hit hard enough to hurt themselves

 

[blecki]

All of this advice is gone if you get a six line.

A six line won't bother the bigger hali or leopard (once they grow up) but they seem to have a personal vendetta against flashers.

 

[blecki]

I agree my only caveat is GET A SOFT NET LID. With multiple different fairies/flashers you will definitely get some light chasing even if they mostly get along and they love to chase each other out of the water often at high speeds. No lid = definitely floor. A glass/plastic lid they can hit hard enough to hurt themselves

They don't even need to be chased. Sometimes they just gotta zoom.

Straight up.

Vrolik wrasse likes to jump up onto the eurobrace and wiggle around under the mesh lid. Swear I'm going to find it stuck there one day dead.

 

[i cant think]

All of this advice is gone if you get a six line.

A six line won't bother the bigger hali or leopard (once they grow up) but they seem to have a personal vendetta against flashers.

They definitely bother even grown leopards, large Halichoeres are often ignored but they are also often equally as boisterous.

 

[blecki]

They definitely bother even grown leopards, large Halichoeres are often ignored but they are also often equally as boisterous.

I think the big difference here is I have never seen a halichoeres who doesn't fight back when bullied.