Fairy Wrasses Suitable for a 36" Tank

[Darth_Tater]

I'm slowly adding fish to my 40 gallon tank and I've been looking at Fairy Wrasses. I see vastly different size requirements on the different online retailers and wanted some first hand experience.

So which (if any) Fairy Wrasses are suitable long term in a 36" long tank?

 

[eatbreakfast]

The rubriventralis complx, which includes rubriventralis, joanallenae, and naokoae, as well as the lunatus complex which includes lunatus, cf. lanceolatus, johnsoni, and squirei, another species that should work would also be rhomboidalis.

 

[NyReefNoob]

all fairy wrasse's would be ok in a 36" long tank

 

[evolved]

I'm with TJ's suggestions.

I wouldn't put any Cirrhilabrus species longer than 4" at maturity in a 3' tank.

 

[CoralsAddiction]

I'm with TJ's suggestions.

I wouldn't put any Cirrhilabrus species longer than 4" at maturity in a 3' tank.

+1. I probably wouldn't put supermale Lineatus or Pink Margin fairies in a 3ft tank. There are plenty of smaller ones that are colorful and suitable.

 

[GimpyFin]

I agree with the others here. Most any smaller ones would be fine. Stay away from larger ones like Lineatus, scott's fairy, etc.

 

[Darth_Tater]

The rubriventralis complx, which includes rubriventralis, joanallenae, and naokoae, as well as the lunatus complex which includes lunatus, cf. lanceolatus, johnsoni, and squirei, another species that should work would also be rhomboidalis.

Thanks for the advice! There seems to be a pretty good consensus here which I didn't really expect. Now I have to ask a stupid question to make sure I understand it since I hated biology and didn't pay any attention to it.

When you're talking about the Rubriventralis complex you're referring to a group within Cirrhilabrus, correct?

I'm with TJ's suggestions.

I wouldn't put any Cirrhilabrus species longer than 4" at maturity in a 3' tank.

Oops, I guess you kind of clarified for me already. Thanks again!

 

[Spork3245]

+1. I probably wouldn't put supermale Lineatus or Pink Margin fairies in a 3ft tank. There are plenty of smaller ones that are colorful and suitable.

I absolutely agree but also want to add the Red Velvet Fairy Wrasse and (debatably) Rose Band Fairy Wrasse to your list. Both can get over 4".

 

[eatbreakfast]

Thanks for the advice! There seems to be a pretty good consensus here which I didn't really expect. Now I have to ask a stupid question to make sure I understand it since I hated biology and didn't pay any attention to it.

When you're talking about the Rubriventralis complex you're referring to a group within Cirrhilabrus, correct?

Correct.

 

[Darth_Tater]

Ouch, most of those recommended fish are quite a ways out of my budget! There is a Local-ish FS that regularly advertises Naoko males for $99. Maybe I'll have to go check them out.

 

[Spork3245]

Ouch, most of those recommended fish are quite a ways out of my budget! There is a Local-ish FS that regularly advertises Naoko males for $99. Maybe I'll have to go check them out.

What's your budget?

 

[Darth_Tater]

Ok, you caught me. I'm just cheap I suppose. I just can't see myself paying $100+ for a fish that's only going to be 3" long. Even if it's a pretty one.

 

[Spork3245]

Ok, you caught me. I'm just cheap I suppose. I just can't see myself paying $100+ for a fish that's only going to be 3" long. Even if it's a pretty one.

Are you willing to go with a flasher wrasse instead? McCosker's are great, active, colorful and cheap.

 

[Darth_Tater]

I've looked at Flashers. They just all seem to be the same orange-ish color. I had a McCosker's for a while but it seemed pretty cramped in this tank (I'm not sure why I think a larger fish, AKA Fairy Wrasse, would do better). I'd like to find a purple fish and not many outside the Wrasses are purple. Then again, not many of the smaller Fairies have much purple either from what I've seen.

I didn't realize that female Fairies will turn into males without any male wrasse around, so that's a cheaper solution I'm looking into. I'm tempted by the female Cirrhilabrus Balteatus on DD right now...

I really really like the color of Cirrhilabrus cf Cyanopleura, but they get too big.

 

[eatbreakfast]

For purple consider a purple tilefish.

 

[Spork3245]

I've looked at Flashers. They just all seem to be the same orange-ish color. I had a McCosker's for a while but it seemed pretty cramped in this tank (I'm not sure why I think a larger fish, AKA Fairy Wrasse, would do better). I'd like to find a purple fish and not many outside the Wrasses are purple. Then again, not many of the smaller Fairies have much purple either from what I've seen.

I didn't realize that female Fairies will turn into males without any male wrasse around, so that's a cheaper solution I'm looking into. I'm tempted by the female Cirrhilabrus Balteatus on DD right now...

I really really like the color of Cirrhilabrus cf Cyanopleura, but they get too big.

Look at Blue Flasher Wrasse. There are a couple on DD last I checked. Sounds like the coloration and price-point you're looking for.

 

[Darth_Tater]

For purple consider a purple tilefish.

Oooh, I like these very much! Unfortunately my sandbed is only 1" deep and with my luck one would kill itself hitting the tank bottom.

The 40 Breeder is a great tank, but I keep finding myself frustrated by the limited number of marine fish that can be kept in it! Maybe I'll just have to be content with a purple Firefish instead of a Wrasse, even though Firefish are kind of boring.

 

[Spork3245]

Look at Blue Flasher Wrasse. There are a couple on DD last I checked. Sounds like the coloration and price-point you're looking for.

Hmmm, actually the one that's left is more reddish/orange with a little purple. The one they had previously was very pink/purple/blue. (I actually almost purchased him but decided against it as I have a Rose Band Fairy Wrasse and felt the coloration was too similar) I'd keep watching for one though as they can fit the coloration you're looking for and would be fine in a tank your size.

 

[skiwez]

You could add what Live Aquaria calls the Ruby Head Fairy Wrasse or Cirrhilabrus cf cyanopleura I got 2 but LA sold them to me as a red headed salon fairy wrasse (Cirrhilabrus solorensis) another suggestion would be the Yellow Flanked Fairy wrasse Cirrhilabrus lyukyuensis

You should be able to get any of these 3 for $40 or less each if your buying at a LFS

 

[Spork3245]

Oooh, I like these very much! Unfortunately my sandbed is only 1" deep and with my luck one would kill itself hitting the tank bottom.

The 40 Breeder is a great tank, but I keep finding myself frustrated by the limited number of marine fish that can be kept in it! Maybe I'll just have to be content with a purple Firefish instead of a Wrasse, even though Firefish are kind of boring.

What about a Pink Streaked Wrasse? It's a possum wrasse but is a super laid-back and peaceful fish. Make sure none of it's tank-mates are aggressive though as it's usually shy at first from what I've read. You could also look into a Mystery Wrasse, but goodbye shrimp.
You also have non-wrasse options like a Royal Gramma available.