Anyone kept a Halichoeres hortulanus wrasse?

[SecretiveFish]

I am thinking of adding one to my 150 as my final fish and was looking to see what their temperament is like as well as general experiences with them. Also, do they really get 11 inches in length?

Current fish occupants in tank:
- Marine Betta
- Kole Tang
- Indigo Hamlet
- Matted Filefish
- Flame Angel
- Flame Hawkfish
- Green Mandarin
- Ocellaris Clown
- Lawnmower Blenny

Other occupants:
- Serpent Starfish
- Tuxedo Urchin
- Very large coral banded Shrimp
- Small hermit crabs and snails
- Assorted corals

Since I already have 3 reef safe with caution fish, what is one more :lolspin: I realize a flasher/fairy wrasse would be less risky, but I really, really like the Halichoeres family of wrasses.

 

[dadonoflaw]

i kept mine for a year. mine was pretty agressive. shrimp and crabs will be destroyed. as it get morecomfortable it gets bolder. great fish but i wouldnt keep it with small crabs and shrimp

 

[evolved]

The larger Halichoeres (such as this one) tend to be quite a bit more aggressive and also tend to really like ornamental inverts.

Look towards the smaller Halichoeres for something better behaved (4-5" at adulthood).

 

[RJT]

That's a shame because that is a great looking fish.

 

[SecretiveFish]

Thanks for the feedback. Looking like this fish will be a pass... You confirmed all my concerns about this fish.

I will just have to keep an eye out for one of the smaller Halichoeres wrasses to be my last fish. That is OK, there are lots of pretty ones.

 

[beachbreak]

This fish is a stunner! Totally under-appreciated due to its "potential" size and the halichoeres stigma.

I've had one for a year or so. Grows quickly - probably the second largest fish in my group now at ~5". Aggression wise he is mid pack in my tank. I don't have hermits in my tank anymore so I can't comment on that but it would be safe to say that he will consume them. I have 3 halichoeres in my tank so if any snail falls and lands upside-down it's a goner. All of my fish are fine with my cleaner shrimps. The shrimp were in there before the wrasses so this may have helped them survive.

not my fish and not my pic - just an example of what this fish can become

 

[hybrid]

absolutely beautiful picture