Creating a Melanurus Wrasse Pair

[jharte]

I currently have a 3.5" Melanurus male. He is doing quite well and I really like the fish. I was wondering if it would be possible to add a female, given that he has already been in the tank for a couple of months. Also, if this was possible, would they swim together or simply just tolerate each other?

Thanks in advance!

 

[eatbreakfast]

What size tank? That will better answer will they tolerate one another.

It can be done but in most cases I would advise against this. They will not swim together. They may tolerate each other, but it is unlikely, as the male is already established.

Many species of Halichoeres are Haremic and female Melanurus wrasses are often found together. But male Melanurus wrasses are more often found singly.

Your best bet for getting a pair would be to get 2 females and let them sort out who the male will be.

 

[jharte]

Sounds good, thanks for the quick response.

 

[triggreef]

I tried this with 2 females and qt'd them in a 90g. For a week until one tried to kill the other. Then I separated and had to end up putting them in separate tanks.

Best place for melanurus btw imo is Bluezooaquatics. Idk if they get them from a different area but so much more brilliantly colored than any others I've seen. I had one from them, I had to google to make sure if it was a richmond or melanurus. Unfortuneately I lost that one in qt I believe to an ammonia issue I fudged up with a bad alert badge.

 

[airtime23]

On a side note, are these types of wrasses considered "reef safe"?

 

[Rutrag]

On a side note, are these types of wrasses considered "reef safe"?

They generally don't bother corals or clams, but tend to pick off the clean up crew. (Snails, hermits, shrimp.)