Fairy/Flasher Wrasse Intros?

[KingOfAll_Tyrants]

Hey all,

Is there a reference somewhere that gives a good and consistent bit of information about the species of either of these groups of wrasses? e.g. has dozens of different species, discusses where they are collected from, their max size, preferences, and what depths they are collected at?

I'm thinking of getting a harem (1 guy+2-3 girls) of one species for a future tank, and I'm looking for a small species that preferably comes from a shallow lagoon type habitat.

Thanks!

 

[hogfanreefer]

As a general rule harems aren't a good idea. There's a pretty high likelyhood that one or all of the females will transition in to males. Much better to get males of several different species.

There is a well known wrasse expert (who will be speaking at MACNA this year) on this forum (Evolved). He usually will take note of wrasse threads and will likely chime in. He has a great article that discusses the different wrasses and their compatibility with each other.

 

[KingOfAll_Tyrants]

As a general rule harems aren't a good idea. There's a pretty high likelyhood that one or all of the females will transition in to males. Much better to get males of several different species.

There is a well known wrasse expert (who will be speaking at MACNA this year) on this forum (Evolved). He usually will take note of wrasse threads and will likely chime in. He has a great article that discusses the different wrasses and their compatibility with each other.

Interesting; what I've read so far indicates otherwise (harems best, mutliple males of different species is a no-no), at least for these categories of wrasse. Either way, thanks for the input - contrary views are very important! - and I look forward for more.

 

[d-man]

Depends on a lot of things

Most times fairies and flashers will change to males so buying pairs and harems will end up with multiple males.

If your tank is large enough then multiple males can coexist of the same species.
Mixing different species if males are fine given 1) the typical aggression of the species and 2) how they are introduced(ie order)

Always use an acclimation box.

Hunter(evolved) did a great write up on another forum regarding all of this.

My tank is quite large and I have 20ish wrasses. Some are pairs which have stayed a pair(m/f) but since wrasses are monogamous fish, they will not swim together. Harems which have turned to m/f/submale combos and then simply single specimens

 

[KingOfAll_Tyrants]

Thanks, D-man. I found the article (first google result). It is actually a reasonably comprehensive article, as well as an even longer set of article on reefkeepers focused mainly on the taxonomy. Very interesting; not much good work is done on them, and liveaquaria is even making apparently significant taxonomic contributions.

My tank is presently non existent, and will be either 48 or 72 inches long (shorter than 48" seems to be no-go for these wrasses). Some species are very active, requiring perhaps even bigger tanks than I'm planning. My plan was to introduce a harem along with a few of the other first fish for this tank (probably not much more - a file fish, a bottom dweller of some sort and maybe a pair of clownfish, especially if I go with 72") after inital live rock curing and the buildup of a substantial enough copepod population in a fuge. But with this thread's input, I'm of course also considering multiple males. Or maybe just one fish.

It also seems that behavior (shockingly ) varies among species as well. Some are deep water; others are from shallow water rubble areas (reading about the descriptions reminds me of some places I dove in Hawaii - in particular, Place of Refuge) and even places with some calcerous algae.

Either way, this gives me a lot to think about and read about.

 

[hogfanreefer]

Interesting; what I've read so far indicates otherwise (harems best, mutliple males of different species is a no-no), at least for these categories of wrasse. Either way, thanks for the input - contrary views are very important! - and I look forward for more.

Hunter's article explains why pairs/harems don't make much sense in aquariums. The bland appearance of females and the lack of any pairing behavior make it even more attractive to house only males.

I have had as many as 8 different males in the Cirhillabrus genus and as many as 4 of the Paracheilinus genus (at the same time) in a 72x24 tank with no problems.

There are definitely species to avoid with others of their genus and some species not to mix. But if chosen wisely, one can house a surprisingly large number of these wrasses in a 6' tank.

 

[KingOfAll_Tyrants]

Thanks again for the assistance. I've done a good amount of looking, and have narrowed my choices down, which I will research more. My criteria are low price (I don't want to exceed $100/fish), mostly peaceful to other wrasses and tankmates, can be found at 10m or less (since I want my tank to simulate a shallowish area), preferably in the lagoon zones. I will keep between 1 to 3 individuals （depending on how big a tank I get; they will not be the only fish in the tank), each of different species, per the advice given here.

They are (plus my rough notes on them):

C. flavidorsalis “Yellow-fin Fairy”: One of the smallest of the genus. Often available at an affordable cost. While generally not overly aggressive, they will stand their ground quite well for their size. 2-120ft

C. lubbocki “Lubbock’s Fairy”: One of the smallest of the genus. Often available at an affordable cost. Two variants of coloration. While generally not overly aggressive, they will stand their ground quite well for their size (note Live Aquaria calls them semi-aggressive). 15-125ft

C. rubripinnis “Red-fin Fairy”: Often available, affordable. Can sometimes be mildly aggressive with other Cirrhilabrus. 2-40m

Paracheilinus carpenteri “Carpenter’s Flasher”: Usually available, moderately priced. 2-4 filaments on the dorsal fin, anal fin is pinkish in color and red on the outer part only (AKA “Pink Flasher”). Peaceful with other flashers and wrasses. 27-45m, westpac

Paracheilinus cyaneus “Blue Flasher”: Commonly available, inexpensive. Distinguishable from the P. lineopunctatus via a swept tail (whereas the P. lineopunctatus has a flat tail). Peaceful with other flashers and wrasses. Indonesia, 20 to 114 ft.

Paracheilinus filamentosus “Filamented Flasher”: Commonly available, affordable. Has many filaments on the dorsal fin and has a swept tail. Often have red stripes along the body. Peaceful with other flashers and wrasses. <30fr, most common at 70 ft. Also occurs in lagoons

Paracheilinus flavianalis “Yellow-Fin Flasher”: Usually available, inexpensive. 1-4 filaments on the dorsal fin, anal fin is yellow in color. Peaceful with other flashers and wrasses. Shallow crests to 114 ft

P. lineopunctatus “Line-Spot Flasher”: Commonly available, inexpensive. Distinguishable from the P. cyaneus via a flat tail (whereas the P. cyaneus has a swept tail). Peaceful with other flashers and wrasses. Shallow crests to 130 ft

 

[MellowReefer]

For the best article on wrasses (from Evolved, the wrasse expert), just google: "All About Reef Safe Wrasses in Aquaria" and it will come up. I can't seem to make the link work.

 

[KingOfAll_Tyrants]

Thanks. It is indeed good; i used it as a base for my survey, which led to the list above.

 

[MellowReefer]

I've had the Lubbock's Fairy for about two years. I bought a small female and it hasn't transitioned to male. Doesn't bother any other fish, very peaceful, yet active (not shy).

My only other wrasse currently is the Ruby Head Fairy (not on your list). Its my favorite fish in my tank. Also very peaceful and really beautiful and I would highly recommend.

I tried the Carpenter's flasher and it only lived about six months. Mine was so timid, just not an aggressive feeder. I tried to feed near it and it was eating some but I guess not enough. My other fish are all rated peaceful and didn't bother it at all.

 

[KingOfAll_Tyrants]

Cool, thanks! The ruby head isn't in Evolved's list. It's a very purty wrasse which I think is suitable for me. I'll put it on my list...

Thanks also for sharing your (unfortunate ) experience with the Carpenter's flasher.

 

[MellowReefer]

I think it's one of the variations of this one from his list:

C. cyanopleura “Blue-Sided Fairy”: One of the larger species in the genus (6”). Usually peaceful. There is a great deal of variation within this species depending upon collection region.

Live Aquaria has the name as: C. cf cyanopleura.

I just remembered, a while back I got an orange-back fairy and it was absolutely stunning and also very peaceful. Unfortunately it only lived a few months and I'm not sure why. Eating great one day and next day it was dead. But maybe some day I'll try another one of those.