Bluehead Wrasse

[clsanchez77]

Is this fish reef safe? Will it work in my plan?
Thalassoma bifasciatum

etropicals states that it is with caution. Will it be eating crabs and shrimp?

I am laying out details on my new reef and trying to come up with a long term stocking goal so that I can have apropriate equipment (lighitng skimmer & such) as well as determine stocking order and/or pace.

I want to setup a sort of biotope and would like to do something local to me, currently planned on a caribbean mushroom biotope but now rethinking.

Anyway if this fish is in fact "reef-safe" (the magic word) and will my 90g tank can accomidate it, I would be interested in adding it to my stocking list.

The current list includes:
Cherub Angel (mated pair)
Blue Chromis (schoal possible - but at least 1)
Red-Lipped Blenny (single)
Swissguard/Peppemint Basslet (single)

Other possibilities include:
Royal Gramma (harem - may be dropped)
Bluehead Wrasse (not definite - single)
Flamefish (Flame Cardinal - single or mated pair)

Overall, I want a pretty light stock

Thanks, Chris

 

[techigirl78]

To my knowledge, most of the Thalassoma are aggressive and will go after shrimp, crabs, and possibly snails and calms. But, I don't have personal knowledge regarding the bluehead.

 

[clsanchez77]

Thanks, Anyone else?
If you have one, will they be fine with shrimp or is it a bad idea?

 

[techigirl78]

I wouldn't take a chance.

 

[Monkeyfish]

The bluehead will not harm corals, but will most likely go after shrimps, crabs and snails. They get more aggressive as they get larger and may attack smaller fish.

ANY angel you put in your tank has the possibility of going after corals.

 

[clsanchez77]

The cherub is generally better behaved than most, but thanks for the concern. Plus I won't be heavily stocked on the SPS and won't have clams.