Cleaner Wrasses

[LobsterOfJustice]

Other than survivability issues, are there problems with keeping these fish? I'd always head they were difficult, but there are a number of local people I know who have kept them, and the store I work at has got them in several times and they always eat frozen mysis.

I'm thinking about picking one up, but is there any detail I'm missing? Do they bother large fish by trying to clean them often? Aggression issues, etc?

 

[lman]

My current one has been in the tank for 12 months. The last one jumped out. Make sure they eat in the store. My fish seem to enjoy the attention from the wrasse especially the large Tangs. Only aggression I have seen is with similar shaped gobies like sissortails and fire fish. If they bother a large fish to much they will chase the wrasse away.

 

[loglew]

Mine is also great, he does have some issues with my midas blenny, but nothing that draws to much concern.

 

[AuroraDrvr]

Do they bother large fish by trying to clean them often?

Yes.

 

[Kahuna Tuna]

The lack of captive survivability in this species is huge and most of them perish before they even reach the retailer. They dont ship well and often come in very beat up or emaciated. I have heard of fish that do survive pestering tankmates but I dont think this is common, most of them simply dont survive long term. There is also some evidence that large scale collection of this species in a given area can have negative effects on the local reef fish population. I think this is one of those fish that we hear more success stories about because they do have a much better chance of survival in a reef tank rather than a typical FO system. Like others have said if you can get a nice plump one that is eating prepared food you can keep this species but that is difficult find with this fish.

 

[snorvich]

Well . . . first of all, they have no effect on parasite control, which most people think is not the case. In a large tank, with many fish that LIKE to be "cleaned", they probably don't pester the fish too much; however not all fish like to be cleaned. In a smaller tank, especially with fish that will not allow cleaning e.g. clownfish, they can pester tank mates. As mentioned survivability is poor. The african imports seem to do the best. Watch out for "mimic" cleaners that actually harm fish.

 

[bussea02]

I had one for about 4 years before he decided to take a dive into the basement sump. He was housed with some pretty small fish and only rarely did he pick anything off them.

At the time i was completely oblivious to some of the difficulties people had with them, so i guess i was just lucky. Was housed in a 90g.

 

[MrTuskfish]

Well . . . first of all, they have no effect on parasite control, which most people think is not the case.

Amen! In fact, like UV, they may even be harmful to some hobbyists by giving them a false sense of security. I'll never forget buying some used stuff from someone who quit the hobby. He didn't think he needed a QT "because he had cleaners and UV'' and lost a tankful of fish to a parasite infestation. I did get a great deal on some good, useful stuff; though.

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

I don't want one for parasite control, I just think theyre neat fish.

It would be in a 180 with a few large fish and several other small fish.

 

[a.stebel]

Had my cleaner for 2 years so far. He far from a cleaner, doesn't ever touch the other fish. He is first in line to pick at nori though.

 

[snorvich]

Angelfish, especially, enjoy being cleaned. Many butterfly fish do as well. UV, for a single tank, is IMO a waste of money, but for tanks that share water (which I do NOT recommend), there is value prophylactically between tanks.

 

[Scott-CapeCoral]

I have a big cleaner wrasse, 3 inches + in my 34 Gallon solana.. He is as healthy as they can get. He's the first to the top to eat right out of my hand, which is anything I feel like giving them at the time. Yesterday a fly fell into the water and was buzzing around the surface. the cleaner came up and tore that fly to shreds.. There isn't anything this thing wont eat, so far. As far as pestering the other fish, he's doesn't. However the fish in the tank are the same size as him so maybe that's why he won't pick at them. I'm sure if there were some large tangs in my tank he would be nipping at them. As of now, it's been a great fish to have. I love watching it dart through the rocks hunting amphipods and copepods.

 

[lananthony]

Yesterday, for the first time since being in the tank, my new wrasse had his first cleaning session with my Foxface. It was pretty neat. The Foxface completely raised all of his spines turned to his side and allowed the Wrasse to clean him up for about 5 sec.

 

[JeF4y]

I have nothing to add other than that I giggle like a 3rd grader everytime I read that someone wants a "cleaner wrasse"

(don't get it? read it outloud.. maybe a little fast..)

 

[sly fox]

I have nothing to add other than that I giggle like a 3rd grader everytime I read that someone wants a "cleaner wrasse"

(don't get it? read it outloud.. maybe a little fast..)

hahhaha i never noticed that before...

they are one of my fav fish actually...i think cos i used to see them in the saltwater shop as a child