Flasher Wrasses and Firefish
- Thread starter Baldguy
- Start date
rrnowwho
New member
I have a Helfrichi and a purple Firefish in my 110 with a male Flame wrasse and male Pylei wrasse. No problems at all. The wrasses don't even notice them. They are out all the time. The flame was first then firefish and last was the Pylei. It's been about 8 months with all 4 of them.
I hope thats not true as I have 3 firefish and am thinking about adding a flasher wrasse.
LFS didn't think there would be a problem when I told him my current stocking list
MCCOOL
Active member
I'd be Leary of any advice from a store that doesn't see a stocking problem with 3 firefish. 2 will surely pair off and kill the third.
As to the original question, I've kept firefish with Chirrilabrus, halichoeres, and Macropharyngodon species wrasses without issue, though never with a flasher wrasse.
reefjunkie42
Wrasse junkie
well please do the wrasse a favor and upgrade his living space, trade it to a local reefer who can properly house it, or sell it back to the LFS he diserves atleast 60 gallons to swim MIN....
rlman41299
Member
i have a red velvet, rhomboid, flame, lineatus, mystery in my tank and the last one in was a Helfrichi. after 15 months, helfrichi is still alive and they don't even notice him.
Gee, I did not know that those were flasher wrasses. I better go back and read.
Yes, very much so. If the firefish is settled in, your odds go way up. If the firefish is added after it is highly problematical.
Again, if the firefish are there first and settled in, it will likely work.
el aguila
Member
There are many variables like tank size, aqua-scaping, other fish, etc, but I have a purple fire fish with a Carpenters Flasher and there is no problem at all between them.
Here again my firefish was in there first. After a year, I'm still stocking my tank. Started with most peaceful and moved up the ladder to those which were a little more agressive.
Here again my firefish was in there first. After a year, I'm still stocking my tank. Started with most peaceful and moved up the ladder to those which were a little more agressive.
I'm not so sure I can agree with that.
I bought these three firefish over a year ago (maybe even longer) and have not had any issues of agression
JaneG
New member
Scott Michael's book suggests 20g for flasher wrasse.
Dr. Hiroyuki Tanaka suggests a tank size of 60 x 30 x 30cm (about 14g). He's the expert on wrasse and has even described species. I think he would know better than you so I don't think you can say they mandatorily need 60g. Flashers will use up all the swimming room they get, whether it be 20g or 200g, but from what I've observed, they are not "tang swimmers" - they seem to stay in one spot and cruise around and then move to the next spot. I've seen firefish with flashers with no problems myself, but I would only do so if the firefish has been established...
From experience I`ve lost one. I would have rescued the firefish if it wasn`t hiding in the back of my tank for 3-4 weeks. It wasn`t a flasher but it was a fairy that stressed it. They were in a 180 gallon with very light stocking. The firefish was just not comfortable with my wrasse around.
Steven
Steven
reefjunkie42
Wrasse junkie
Are these for 1 fish only? I dont think id add more than 1 or 2 fish to a 15-20 gal anyway. I presumed the OP would have a tank with more than just the mccroskii! So put that in your pipe and smoke it:rollface: really though I am not disputing anything DR. Hiroyuki Tanaka has written or said, because I do agree he is the source for Labridae fishes. I am simply stating what mine does, which is swim back and fourth in my 5 foot tank by 2 foot tank. So yes they may be able to LIVE in that size environment, but is it OPTIMUM. These fish were in a body of water larger than anything any of us have in our home aquarium so who are we to say what is enough space anyways. I bet if you asked the fish he'd want a bigger tank:debi: anyway back to the OP's question, I believe if you add the firefish 1st you will be better off in the long run to having them coexist together.-RJ42
reefjunkie42
Wrasse junkie
verbatim from live aquaria:
Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 3"
Color Form: Blue, Orange, Red, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Africa, Maldives
Family: Labridae
What do these Quick Stats mean? Click here
overview
The McCosker's Flasher Wrasse is an attractive reef-safe wrasse sure to be the star of your aquarium. This hardy wrasse species adapts well to established home aquariums, making it a beautiful and active addition. The vibrantly colored male McCosker's Flasher Wrasse is predominantly red/orange with blue, horizontal stripes that complement its yellow stomach. The orange dorsal fin is accented with red, yellow, and blue and features a single elongated ray. A gorgeous, red band across the orange anal fin creates an impressive and bold color palette. The female coloration and overall appearance is more subdued. The females also do not feature the large dorsal and anal fins.
The McCosker's Flasher Wrasse requires a 55 gallon aquarium (or larger) with a tight-fitting lid since it is a jumper. Often found along reef slopes and rubble zones, the McCosker's Flasher Wrasse will often swim near the bottom and tends to form small groups where a male swims back and forth between groups of females. The colors of an adult male intensifies during courtship and he may flare or "flash" his fins to attract females. At this time, we are only able to obtain and offer male McCosker's Flasher Wrasse. We recommend only one male per aquarium display.
The McCosker's Flasher Wrasse diet should include vitamin enriched frozen mysis shrimp, vitamin enriched frozen brine shrimp, and other meaty foods along with a high quality marine flake and marine pellet food.<
Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 1" to 1-3/4" Medium: 1-3/4" to 2-1/2" Large: 2-1/2" to 3"
Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 3"
Color Form: Blue, Orange, Red, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Africa, Maldives
Family: Labridae
What do these Quick Stats mean? Click here
overview
The McCosker's Flasher Wrasse is an attractive reef-safe wrasse sure to be the star of your aquarium. This hardy wrasse species adapts well to established home aquariums, making it a beautiful and active addition. The vibrantly colored male McCosker's Flasher Wrasse is predominantly red/orange with blue, horizontal stripes that complement its yellow stomach. The orange dorsal fin is accented with red, yellow, and blue and features a single elongated ray. A gorgeous, red band across the orange anal fin creates an impressive and bold color palette. The female coloration and overall appearance is more subdued. The females also do not feature the large dorsal and anal fins.
The McCosker's Flasher Wrasse requires a 55 gallon aquarium (or larger) with a tight-fitting lid since it is a jumper. Often found along reef slopes and rubble zones, the McCosker's Flasher Wrasse will often swim near the bottom and tends to form small groups where a male swims back and forth between groups of females. The colors of an adult male intensifies during courtship and he may flare or "flash" his fins to attract females. At this time, we are only able to obtain and offer male McCosker's Flasher Wrasse. We recommend only one male per aquarium display.
The McCosker's Flasher Wrasse diet should include vitamin enriched frozen mysis shrimp, vitamin enriched frozen brine shrimp, and other meaty foods along with a high quality marine flake and marine pellet food.<
Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 1" to 1-3/4" Medium: 1-3/4" to 2-1/2" Large: 2-1/2" to 3"
