All About Reef Safe Wrasses

Hey thanks for the reply,

Price is not a huge issue (I am willing to pay for something that is worth it). But as always the lower the better, I suppose.

Now I am also looking into the Orange-Back Fairy, it is rather appealing.

Any suggestions on one of them? I guess I am worried about ever seeing a McCosker flash as there would only be one of them and I am thinking the showy Orange-Back might be a good option because it's colors are always on display. But perhaps I could get both...

I only have a 26g bowfront (LED Ecoxotic canopy) reef system so I have to choose my occupants wisely in order to get the most bang for the few amount of fish I can accommodate. I only have a Royal Grama now.

Thanks so much! Great to have some friendly advice

 

The Orange-Back's have some very nice saturated coloration to them, and you are correct; those bright colors are always present, flashing or not. Yes, keeping a fairy and flasher with each other is acceptable and will often cause each to flash occasionally.

Unfortunately, however, neither species is well suited for a 26gal. There's only a handful of fairy's I'd recommend for a 40 gal tank, and none really for anything under 30 gallons. Some people will recommend flashers for 30gal tanks; others will claim they need more lateral swimming space. I do tend to agree with the later group.

About the only species I could recommend for that small of a tank are Pseudocheilinus ataenia “Pink-Streaked Wrasse” or one of the Wetmorella genus (Possum wrasse).

 

See I was wondering about that but several other people told me it would be okay? I seem to be getting lots of conflicting information here it seems. Some of the books I have consulted said around 30g was acceptable for 3.5" and under, and my LFS said one of those wrasse's would be fine...

 

Rule #1 of reefkeeping: Unless the employees are trusted hobbiest amongst the local reefing community, believe nothing the LFS tells you. They are always looking for a better way to make a dollar. If you cramp a fish in a little tank and it doesn't last but a few months, you'll be back to buy another.

 

Sad, that is not what I want! So Pygmy Possum? Six-lined a possibility? (My book says 10g minimum but they have been known to eat ornamentals)

Hope I am not harassing you too much, thanks for all of your advice (and patience with newbie questions)

 

No harassment at all; you're fine.

A sixline is a possibility, but I think of them as devil fish. I wouldn't worry about any ornamentals with them, but I would worry about one turning into a big bully once established in the tank. They can become rather aggressive, and will likely squabble with the gramma.

 

Great write-up evolved. Super useful!

Quick question on stocking - I have a 180 sps dominant tank that I purposely over bought on the skimmer because I both like fish and like to feed. My fish in this tank consist of a few larger fish (pyramid butterfly, powder brown surg, genicanthus angel and a large borbonius anthias) and I want the rest of the tank to consist of wrasses and smaller reef fish. My list as of now consist of:
bathyphilus
linneatus
flame
rhomboid
orangeback
radiant
hoevens
mccoskers or filamented

My question is - am I pushing it with this list? See any potential problems? Any substitutions you can think of? Additions that will works well?

Thanks!

 

Hi there,

No, I don't think your pushing things too badly there, but I would cut off the list at that point. Your picks and combination looks alright to me. The bathyphilus is typically the most aggressive out of those (but not terribly); I'd add that one last or towards the end. Beyond that, things look alright to me.

I would urge you to cover your tank (if not already), and use an acclimation box for each addition along the way. The acclimation box is a great way to curve any potential aggression with a multitude of wrasses.

 

Thx for this, read it awhile back, but didn't have wrasse plans so didn't comment. Now that you've forced me into 2 from DD, i gave it a read again! Good stuff.

Have to go to Lowes tomorrow for my cover.

BTW, thanks for answering ALL those questions on my "you're Evil thread" and thanks again for the help. In return, you will be getting a bill from DD to the tune of $these better be cool. lol thx again man

 

Hey, is it hard to keep a leopard wrasse? On live aquaria its expert only but doesn't say why. Also, is. My tank too small? It's a 46 g bf with 2 clowns and 3 dartfish all levels are fine.