Yellow Coris wrasse...reef safe?

Discussion in 'Tropical Fish' started by chef & toast, Nov 11, 2007.

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  1. chef & toast

    chef & toast Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2007
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    Location:
    toronto
    i was wondrering if this little guy is reef safe. my lfs told me no, but they also have 2 in with their zoanthid polyps. also the same guy at the lfs said that my diadema {sp?} basselet was reef safe and convinced me to get either it or a 6 line wrasse for my 29 gallon reef. i went with the basselet and i am returning him tomorrow because of the damage he did to my bicolor blenny that i just bought today {which again, i was told would be fine with the basselet}......help please!!!!
     
    chef & toast, Nov 11, 2007
    chef & toast, Nov 11, 2007
    #1

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  2. BaxterS80

    BaxterS80 Pajama Cardinal

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    One thing I have learned over the years is that many LFS employees are not as knowledgeable as they would have you believe....

    Also, no generalizations can be made when it comes to "reef safe." Every tank and its environment is unique and what may work in one may not work in another. All it takes is adding that next fish or coral to change the balance of any tank.
     
    BaxterS80, Nov 11, 2007
    BaxterS80, Nov 11, 2007
    #2
  3. target001

    target001 Skunk Shrimp

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    South Australia
    i have a yellow coris wrasse in my reef tank he's fine with the reef only ever see him pick at the rocks, never the corals

    that said some people suggest they are not reef safe
    personally ive never had any trouble with them doing any damage to anything
     
    target001, Nov 12, 2007
    target001, Nov 12, 2007
    #3
  4. mattgeezer

    mattgeezer Montipora Capricornis

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    they are cool reef fish!!! love the colour ;D
     
    mattgeezer, Nov 12, 2007
    mattgeezer, Nov 12, 2007
    #4
  5. amcarrig

    amcarrig Super Moderator

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    We've got one in our tank and it doesn't pick on any of the corals.
     
    amcarrig, Nov 12, 2007
    amcarrig, Nov 12, 2007
    #5
  6. pstroh

    pstroh Plankton

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    I have one in my 125g reef tank. He is great, he sleeps in, in the morning then comes out and hangs with the crowd. He does not nip at the corals at all.
     
    pstroh, Jul 30, 2009
    pstroh, Jul 30, 2009
    #6

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  7. Screwtape

    Screwtape Tonozukai Fairy Wrasse

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    I think the halichoeres genus are sometimes listed as non-reef-safe because they might eat feather dusters and maybe some small shrimp or inverts.
    Also pet-peeve of mine, it's not a really a coris, I hate whoever named it that. :)
     
    Screwtape, Jul 30, 2009
    Screwtape, Jul 30, 2009
    #7
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  8. horkn

    horkn Giant Squid

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    100% spot on. Many species of halichoeres will eat feather dusters, and that is what makes them to be listed as not reef safe.

    IMHO, the fact that the halichoeres wrasses eat flatworms makes them excellent reef citizens, and will never allow flatworms to take over a tank.

    Yes, the yellow coris wrasse is not a coris wrasse at all, that is one of my biggest pet peeves as well:) True Coris wrasses are far from reef safe.

    Other halichoeres wrasses are radiant wrasses, neon wrasses, christmas wrasses, melanurus wrasses, and a few others.
     
    horkn, Jul 30, 2009
    horkn, Jul 30, 2009
    #8