About small wrasses of all sorts: owner experiences and wisdom.

[OllieNZ]

Placement and size of the black rear spots re the white lines seems to be one of the most significant differences in marking.

The lines through the eyes are what stand out to me.

Cheers guys,
I should have been a more detailed in my original post.
The jawline and overall jaw structure are another major difference.

When you're in a shop and being assured what you're purchasing is true to label. You've a rough idea what the fish you're looking for is like it can be easy to get burnt. I've done this personally with African shell dwellers. I requested a specific species and what was ordered in for me was a completely different species (with a very different behaviour and social structure) but close enough in size color and markings that I put the differences down to stress in the shop tank. The physical differences were very subtle and I found out afterwards there were certain tells that could be used to identify the 2 species even when stressed and virtually devoid of markings.

If you're still with me after that ramble.
The major differences between a slingjaw and possum wrasse. (for those that aren't aware)
Possum; tops out around 2.5 inches and is a model citizen, if a tad cryptic.
Slingjaw; hits 14 inches (maybe larger), will eat anything that fits into it's large and highly protrusible mouth. It's jaws can extend around half the fish's body length and are designed for getting into crevices. So you can kiss your clean up crew and any small fish good bye.

Not an identity mistake you want to make. I'm not sure on the availability of slingjaw wrasses, especially juveniles, if they are limited then the opportunity for misidentification will be minimal.

 

[Wildorca]

Interesting. I have a 6-line wrasse and it's not very aggressive. That may be because it's living with an Azure Damsel and a Maroon Clown in a little 29G (yes, I plan to upgrade soon). I'll have to double-check the stocking order if someone is interested.

Though, my 6-line might be more passive than others. If he/she isn't hunting along the liverock he's usually hiding. He doesn't eat much when I feed pellets (mainly because he's so passive/shy compared to the two other fatties in the tank). When I feed Rod's pacific plankton he'll take a big chunk and take it down to his spot in the rocks where he sleeps. He forms a mucous cocoon when he sleeps (freaked me out the first time I saw it).

None of my fish are full grown so that might be why I haven't had any major problems with aggression yet.

Maybe you got lucky and got a passive 6 line. I'll never have one again! I had it with an ocy clownfish, and an azure damsel. It killed my azure damsel. I just sent it back to the LFS.
Good luck!

 

[tjm9331]

What would you guys suggest for a unique wrasse for a 75 gallon fowlr, preferably one that doesn't burrow in the sand.

When I say unique I mean something that is not a regular like the McKoskers or Lubbocks, hope that makes sense lol I basically am looking for something not everyone has or would have

 

[gone fishin]

I like my Naoki, Temmincki, or a C. melanomarginatus. The last one may be borderline for the 75g

 

[SnoopyDaPimp]

I have a 6-line wrasse and it's not very aggressive.

Same for me. Mine shares a tank with a zebra eel, dog face puffer and two platinum clowns with tons of space. I assume that is why I see no signs of aggression. It goes about business as normal. Even when I feed shrimp, squid, etc... he does not get aggressive with the clowns fighting for food before I feed the eel.

 

[vikinglord13]

Maybe you got lucky and got a passive 6 line. I'll never have one again! I had it with an ocy clownfish, and an azure damsel. It killed my azure damsel. I just sent it back to the LFS.
Good luck!

You may be right. My rockwork seems to be pretty large compared to the size of the tank. Like I said he hides a lot and swims relatively close to his sleeping space. Fortunately the Clownfish has claimed the corner of the tank has his/hers and the Damsel pretty much takes the other part.

Also, I have to give you props for your avatar picture. If my memory serves correctly we had a puzzle of that exact picture when I was younger.