Can multiple male fairy wrasses of different species be kept together?

[jerod89]

I'm starting up a 150 gallon reef and was thinking about adding 3 or 4 fairy wrasses to the tank. Ideally I would like to keep all male lineatus, golden rhomboid, hawaiian flame, and scott's fairy wrasses.

Would these fish get along together? Would they lose their color without a female present? If I purchased all females would they all transition to males eventually?

 

[CoralsAddiction]

Tough call. I personally would do two or three. Best chance to minimize aggression is to add them at the same time. If you can try rhomboid or lineatus in addition to flame and Scott's bc the first two are similar in color while flame and Scott's are dominated by red and green respectively. No need to have two fish similarly shaped and colored. Having three instead of 4 will minimize territorial problems.
My 4.5" Australian Lineatus (RIP) was gorgeous and I only had one snowflake clown with him. His color was great. Having multiple wrasses they will flash at each other and keep colors...not as vivid as with harem but bright nonetheless.

 

[CoralsAddiction]

Before getting my supermale lineatus I considered a terminal male Scott's. Research showed Scott's to be the most aggressive fairy wrasse. Something to keep in mind.

 

[scuzy]

I have a rhombroid and a flame male there isn't any aggression I have them for 1.5 years

 

[Mike S]

I'd skip the Scott's if you wanted to keep other wrasses. Combining lineatus and rhomboids seems to be hit or miss. I had both in a 120 and there was some chasing between the two. When I transferred them to a 315 all hell broke loose and the lineatus killed them rhomboid before I could catch it. I've know a few others that have reported issues between the two with the lineatus being the aggressor. You will hear some success stories. If you want to try it add the rhomboid first and let it establish itself.

My lineatus has mellowed in the past several months and I have added several other fairy and flasher wrasses without issues.

 

[eatbreakfast]

The scotts is the most aggressive of the group. The rhomboid is the most peaceful so I would add him first. I have not had any issue with rhomboid, linneatus and flame wrasses interacting together.

If you buy females they are smaller and cheaper, but you do have to wait for them to transition into males, but once they do transition just being with congenerics will help them keep their colors,

 

[jerod89]

Thanks for the heads up about the Scott's. I'm looking for a good mix of colors. Does anyone have any suggestions for 3-4 wrasses that will go well together. Right now I'm considering the lineatus, flame, and maybe an exquisite.

Also does anyone now about how long it takes for a female to transition to a male? I'm trying to determine if spending the extra money on the male is worth it.

 

[adamwheel]

I think you can do several without issue. An acclimation box is a necessity however.

Labouti's can be a little aggressive but are gorgeous. I've had a Rhomboid with a Lineatus male with no issues. Rhomboids are least aggressive in my experience.

I love the orange back but have received 2 unhealthy specimens. The Halichoeres genus is definitely worth a look as well. LA lists them in the non reef safe section but I would argue otherwise.

Wrasses rival anything in my tank with respect to personality.

Good luck,

Adam

 

[albano]

The scotts is the most aggressive of the group. The rhomboid is the most peaceful so I would add him first. I have not had any issue with rhomboid, linneatus and flame wrasses interacting together.

If you buy females they are smaller and cheaper, but you do have to wait for them to transition into males, but once they do transition just being with congenerics will help them keep their colors,

+1... I have over 40 wrasses in my 450g DT , multiple males, always adding extra juvi/females

I think you can do several without issue. An acclimation box is a necessity however.

+1... After QT, add to DT with use of acclimation box

In place of the Scott's, I'd suggest an Exquisite, especially from Vanuatu if possible

 

[CoralsAddiction]

Rhomboid Fairy, Eight Line Flasher Wrasse, Vermiculate (African) Leopard Wrasse and Flame fairy Wrasse would be my choice

 

[Cici22]

I had always heard you could only have one male wrasse per tank. What is the minimum tank size you suggest for someone who wants more than one male wrasse? I currently have a 65g but am hoping to upgrade back to a 150g after I move.

 

[hogfanreefer]

You can only have one male of each species. I currently have 4 fairy wrasse (orange back, Lineatus, pink margin, Lubbock's), 1 flasher (plan 2 more) and 3 Halichoeres with zero aggression issues. All of my 8 wrasse are males.

 

[d-man]

Acclimation box and vary size
I have male Rosefascia, rhomboid, rosy scales, labouti, and a few others
Rosy scales is my biggest and he runs the wrasses, but he isn't a jerk. Only when new fish come into tank he goes a lil wild and re establishes his territory to everyone

 

[jerod89]

Thanks for all the great info everyone! I think I've settled on a lineatus, flame, exquisite, orange-back and Hoeven's wrasses. Do you think that would be a good mix of colors and personalities?

 

[Marshall O]

Thanks for all the great info everyone! I think I've settled on a lineatus, flame, exquisite, orange-back and Hoeven's wrasses. Do you think that would be a good mix of colors and personalities?

Little late to reply to this, but I do think that will be a nice mix. Besides some occasional chasing/flashing, they should all get along fine.