fairy wrasse harem/chromi shoal...suggestions needed

[Serioussnaps]

Fairy Wrasse Harem/Chromi Shoal
Hows it going. I am starting a 55 G SPS(mainly Acro) reef over from a softie reef. Now that I have all my equipment I was thinking about which fish to put in. I have thought about a shoal of chromis(like 4 or 5) or a harem of fairy wrasses. When i say fairy wrasses I dont mean the larger species of wrasse(like Scott's and what not), but in particular I am speaking of

-C. filamentosus(Whipfin Fairy wrasse)
-C. rubripinnis (Red fin fairy wrasse)
-C. cyanopleura(blue sided fairy wrasse)

These fariy wrasses avg. about 1.5"-2.75" according to most sources.

If you need a refresher as to what exact species I am referring to check here:

www.marinecenter.com

and

www.fishlibrary.info

My questions are as follows:

1) I have a Copperband Butterfly that I have had for 2 years and I will probably keep him in the SPS tank. (as a side note)
-Can i keep a harem of one of these smaller species(like 1 male and 2 females) in a 55g tank?with a CBB?
2)I know I can do a shoal of 4 or 5 chromis in the 55 with the CBB but can i do the shoal, the fw harem, and the CBB. Just the shoal of chromis and the harem of fairies?
3)Those who keep fairy wrasses or particularly these species---How bad are they at jumping out of your tanks? How do you remedy this, but keep the light over the tank for your coral?
4)So really--a shoal, harem and a cbb or a shoal and harem---or just a shoal and CBB(FW harem possible?) or just a harem and CBB(if it is possible but not with chromis)

Here is my setup and physical circumstances so that you can better assess the question.

-55g as i stated
-Tunze stream 6000 with single controller and two returns (plenty of flow as i said its gonna be SPS)
-dual overflows(one for sump with skimmer and other for a 30 g refugium)
-T5 lighting(fixture not retro)
-lots of live rock(how much swimming space should be allowed)
-no canopy
-blah blah blah Im long winded(careful attention to detail and finesse=success)

Thank you everyone I hope that i can get all the info based upon your experiences.

 

[Fairy Wrassler]

I will try and help with the wrasse part of your equation....

I think that all those wrasses will get bigger than that. The adult sizes that I am getting from Rudie Kuiter's book (plus my own experience) would indicate:

-C. filamentosus(Whipfin Fairy wrasse) - 3.2"
-C. rubripinnis (Red fin fairy wrasse) - 3.5"
-C. cyanopleura(blue sided fairy wrasse) - 4.3"

Perhaps these are small differences but probably crucial with multiple fish in 55 gallons.

My main concern with keeping fairy wrasses in your setup would be jumping. Fairies will jump. I have read of various solutions to keep fish from jumping including various rigs using any egg crate etc., but the only thing I will trust is glass lids. These fish can jump through gaps smaller than themselves and will attempt to regularly. If the T5s you are running will provide sufficient light without generating too much heat you may be okay, but halides can cause heat problems with glass lids.

I have not kept C. filamentosus as a harem, but I have kept them with other species of fairy wrasse and have had to remove them due to excessive aggression. They are known to be one of the more aggressive members of the genus. My experience is that they are fine with other fish, but have problems with other wrasses.

In my opinion fairy wrasses usually require some zooming room to be happy, and a 55 might be too small for them.

If you can solve the jumping problem, you may wish to look at flasher wrasses (Paracheilinus) as an alternative to fairies. They are typically smaller, require less space, are very attractive and live quite happily in groups. Groups of male flasher wrasses can be kept together with plenty of attractive flashing but without excessive violence.

I hope this helps. Best of luck

 

[Serioussnaps]

Thank you...I have switched over after much reading last night to 3 flasher wrasses...either 1 male and 2 females or 3 females and let one become the male.

I dont think it is gonna be feasible due to my light loving coral.. I may try glass tops since I do have T5's and heat is not an issue, plus I have two open sumps and overflows for gas exchange.
I think eggcrate will cut down on light and wont assure me of keeping the flashers in the tank...so glass it is if i decide.

Hopefully somone will come up with a brilliant idea. Can I build an electic fence for these little bastards?

 

[RichConley]

Do you have a canopy snaps? I've kept a few, adn still do (fairy wrasses) and I have an opened top canopy that is about 12" tall. Never had any problems with them jumping.


I also dont keep any overly aggressive fish with them. I think thats more of an issue than their natural propensity to jump. They spook easily, and thats why they jump. Flashers are worse than fairys.

A trio/harem of lubboks would be nice, and theyre on the small size.

My Cyanopleura is up over 4" now, and still has his juvie white nose, so kuiter's numbers are a little low.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7685413#post7685413 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RichConley
I also dont keep any overly aggressive fish with them. I think thats more of an issue than their natural propensity to jump. They spook easily, and thats why they jump. Flashers are worse than fairys.

Ditto that advice. I'd avoid even one single Chromis in a 55 with these Wrasses.