Adding wrasses to tanks already with wrasses?
- Thread starter gsiegel
- Start date
How big are your existing Wrasses and how long have they been in the tank? I personally think you should be fine since all your existing wrasses tend to be peaceful and your tank is a good size. The only one I'd be a little worried about is the Lineatus if he is a big guy and well established. There are endless possibilities as into what you can add. I would just say if you do go ahead and add more wrasses go with what you like. I think everyone will have an opinion as to what wrasses they like and at the end you won't know what to go with. :spin3: But at the end a good acclimation and introduction should give you no problems imho.
beachbreak
New member
Use an acclimation box and leave the new wrasse in it until all the others ignore it. Even then you run the risk of serious harassment by well established fish of the same genus. You should be doing this with every new fish that has an established fish of the same size/shape/family in the tank. It will save you some headache and money in the long run.
Andyf30
Member
The lineatus and exquisite wrasses are very peaceful and should be no problem in a tank that big. as far as the xmas goes I have no experience. It should be ok though. In a tank that large wrasses have plenty of room to hide. I personally have 2 wrasses and a hogfish in a 40 breeder and only had aggression issues for less than 12 hours. As soon as the lights came on the next day everyone was happy with each other
gsiegel
New member
Lineatus is big 4-5 inches but only in the DT for a week. The xmas and exquisite have been there for about 5 weeks and are 2-3 in - they are peaceful. Only concern I had was that the xmas and melanarus are same species but I have read that they should be peaceful even with their own species.
beachbreak
New member
Not a problem at all. Carefully drill some holes in the side for a little extra flow through it. I've got a buddy that uses one. He turns it upside down so waste passes through the grates and into the display.
In regards to linneatus aggression; I read all the time how gentle linneatus are. While mine is definitely a mellow fish that gets along great with everyone, he is the king of the tank and will destroy any cirrhilabrus that enters the tank now. Just a heads up.
gsiegel
New member
Lineatus has only been in the tank a week
My greater concern was whether it is ok to add a melanurus with a tank that already has a xmas wrasse being that they are the same species. The xmas is peaceful with the other fish including no issue with the lineatus which entered the tank afterwards.
My greater concern was whether it is ok to add a melanurus with a tank that already has a xmas wrasse being that they are the same species. The xmas is peaceful with the other fish including no issue with the lineatus which entered the tank afterwards.
DustyReefer
New member
I wouldn't worry about it at all if it's a 280 gallon tank. I'd probably do the acclimation box if your really worried, but I don't think you'd see too much aggression IMO
bullitr
broke but happy
An acclimation box is by far the best way to introduce new fish.
+1
I still have about 40 wrasse in my tank and acclimation box really help introducing new wrasse.
Good luck.
a.browning
New member
What is the actual species name of the xmas? Xmas can be a common name for a handful of wrasses, including the melanurus. As long as you're not adding a second male of the same species, most wrasses mix very well, with a few exceptions due to aggression. You may get some chasing/flashing the first day or so, but once they settle out dominance, things normally go well. I have a dozen wrasses mixed together, added one at a time and never used an acclimation box. I always add the new wrasses at lights out (after QT of course), that way they have the whole night to adjust to chemistry/settle in without the other wrasses to harass them.
gsiegel
New member
Thanks - I currently have a Halichoeres claudia, to go along with the Cirrhilabrus exquisitus (looks like from Maldives) and a georgeous
xl Cirrhilabrus lineatus (my absolute favorite). With the wrasses you have which other do you really like that play well with others and have the vibrant colors? I am contemplating adding a couple more - now leaning away from the melanurus being similar to the Halichoeres claudia?
Also ok to add smaller flashers with the larger other wrasses that already occupy the tank?
evolved
Wrasse Nut
Would be a coin toss.
Should be, but always use an acclimation box. Flashers can be spooky, so until they realize those bigger fishes aren't trying to eat them, they'll need to adjust to seeing them.
In my 120g tank is a lineatus wrasse bullied by a melanurus. The lineatus seemed confident for its first 3 months, but is now just hassled. For 2 years the melanurus had been peaceful, until a few weeks ago. Nothing was changed other than water, so what could **** it off? It seems too fat for assault.
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