Another wrasse stocking question

[adamwheel]

I have a 5.5 ft DIY 178 gal coming to fruition soon and 29 gal QT currently has 2.5" chevron tang doing very well. 38 gal sps reef ready for the upgrade as well.

I would like to add 3 rhomboids or lineatus to start my wrasse population in the new build.

I'm thinking of purchasing all females and introducing them to QT at the same time. Waiting for one to change to male is appealing.

I want to do the best thing for the fish though (acclimation box in possession already for subsequent additions).

Would purchasing one male and 2 females be smarter?

Is a pair a better move than 3?

Thanks for the advice,

Adam

 

[nikon187]

numbers are up to you. I would do all females and let them decide.

 

[RDtrack]

Lineautus females/sub males are jerks. Had one kill a full grown male rhomboid. If you want rhombboids and lineatus I would add them all at the same time. Or do one or the other.

Also someone once told me three always becomes two. I kind of agree.

 

[evolved]

You're on the right track.

numbers are up to you. I would do all females and let them decide.

And I'd agree with this, if this is what you really want to do. However:

Lineautus females/sub males are jerks.

This is very much true. For whatever reason, female lineatus are often quite nasty.

Having done the pair trio road many times myself, only to end up with all males, I don't often keep anything more than one male of any given species these days.

If I were you, I'd do one lineatus male and one rhomboid male. The tank is big enough to do a few more different species as well.

 

[aquaph8]

I'm with Hunter except female rhomboids are a great way to save about a hundred bucks and usually aren't too hard to find.

 

[adamwheel]

Thank you for the replies.

So, if I decide to go with one male of multiple species, would starting with a female still be an option (other than lineatus) and let them become males over time.

Appreciate the insight.

Adam

 

[ingtar_shinowa]

Yes! It saves you a few hundred dollars too. I picked up a female lineatus a while back and while she is brazen, she doesn't bully any of the other wrasse in my tank. She WILL however steal food out of the MOUTH of my 6.5 inch black tang.

 

[aquaph8]

Absolutely

 

[adamwheel]

Thanks. I've been planning/building this for 14 months and am trying to do it right.

It sounds like you can count on them changing.

 

[metasinapsis]

hi adam how did it go ?

Where did you purchase your wrasse - how was the qt process etc.

Let me know

 

[adamwheel]

Still in final stages but do have a "sub adult" rhomboid showing up from LA tomorrow. A little excited I am.

LA lists it as sub adult. Does that mean neither gender yet?

Cheers,
Adam

 

[Marshall O]

No, it is likely a male, just not a terminal or "super" male. Otherwise it would be listed as juvenile/female. Nice pickup either way!