adding a second fairy wrasse

[a.browning]

I have a 55 gallon reef with about 100lbs of rock with many hiding places. I currently have a Ruby Head Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus cyanopleura.. I believe). I am very interested in the Solar Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus Solarensis) and was wondering if its possible to add one in to my tank with the other wrasse. I have seen many tanks with a mixture of fairy wrasses but I'm sure many of them were added at the same time, not added in later. My Ruby Head has never picked on a single fish, if that helps. Should I risk it?

 

[snorvich]

Ah, different question. C. solorensis can be very aggressive towards other fairy wrasses. And without a female, will lose some coloration.

 

[a.browning]

Thanks snorvich. Would he still be agressive if he was the second of the 2 added? Would also be the last fish introduced to the tank.

 

[dwarf_angels31]

Do it!

 

[markster33139]

I too am interested in this because I have the same fish. He is the only fairy wrasse in the tank, and I wanted to add another down the road if possible. I was told by my LFS that it would be no problem to add another as fairy wrasses are very peaceful with each other. Not saying I buy this entirely, so it's good to hear other opinions.

 

[snorvich]

I too am interested in this because I have the same fish. He is the only fairy wrasse in the tank, and I wanted to add another down the road if possible. I was told by my LFS that it would be no problem to add another as fairy wrasses are very peaceful with each other. Not saying I buy this entirely, so it's good to hear other opinions.

Many fairy wrasses are peaceful. C. solorensis is not, C. scottorum is worse. Those that are "blue" tend to lose coloration absent a female and tend to be more aggressive. In any case, you need a social acclimation box for adding new fish.

 

[Psyops]

I took mine out and put it in the sump for 3-4 weeks. Then added the new Wrasse at the same time with the sump wrasse to the DT. They did not even care that the other was present. Maybe I got lucky.

 

[albano]

Many fairy wrasses are peaceful. C. solorensis is not, C. scottorum is worse. Those that are "blue" tend to lose coloration absent a female and tend to be more aggressive. In any case, you need a social acclimation box for adding new fish.

+1...should not be a problem, but accliimation box is highly recommended!

 

[snorvich]

I took mine out and put it in the sump for 3-4 weeks. Then added the new Wrasse at the same time with the sump wrasse to the DT. They did not even care that the other was present. Maybe I got lucky.

You shuffled the cards. Territories were unestablished. Still, down the road, some of the aggressive ones wake up and become aggressive.