Halichoeres Chrysus & ornamental shrimps

[kes_reef]

Commonly referred as "yellow coris wrasse", though it's really a member of the Halichoeres genus.

Have you ever kept or knew someone who had this fish with an ornamental shrimp such as a cleaner, blood, or peppermint?

Did it consume the shrimp(s)? What was the approximate size of the wrasse? How long have you had it together in the same tank? What about emerald crabs?

It is generally classified as "reef safe" and most do not mention whether it will eat ornamental shrimps. Some stated that it MAY be a threat but I'm wondering if this a case in which a full-grown adult (5-6"), already established in a tank, attacks a small shrimp such as a glass anemone, sexy dancer, or pistol shrimp? I'd like to hear your experiences. Thanks!

 

[Kolognekoral]

Never had a problem with this species, other than occaisional jumping! Actually, I've kept Coris formosa with shrimps to a sub-adult and there were no problems. Of course, a hungry fish is not a reef-safe fish, so make sure they get enough to eat, which is typically not a problem with these fishes.

 

[Dizzle63]

I had a very small one (1 1/2 inches) in with two fully grown (3 inch) skunk cleaners and despite heavy twice daily feedings, the shrimp still got eaten. I did have a peppermint survive, but that was due to it being super sneaky.

 

[kes_reef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12487961#post12487961 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Kolognekoral
Never had a problem with this species, other than occaisional jumping! Actually, I've kept Coris formosa with shrimps to a sub-adult and there were no problems. Of course, a hungry fish is not a reef-safe fish, so make sure they get enough to eat, which is typically not a problem with these fishes.

Yeah, I've heard of its tendency to jump out. A coris formosa? Wow, that was pretty daring. What happened to it? Thanks for your input.

 

[A sea K]

I have had mine for 14 months now. When first introduced to the system I already a Fire cleaner shrimp, since that time I have added a Skunk cleaner and 4 Sexy shrimp. I can't recall when I put the Sexy's in but it has been at least 4 months. I have not had any issues to date and the wrasse is at least 4".

Evidently mine is staying female. She has doubled in size since I got her but has yet to show any of the facial markings.Not postive if this is conclusive on sexing these wrasses but I seem to recall the markings were on the males only. Does anyone know if this is correct?

 

[Kolognekoral]

Well, the C. formosa did jump! I had been planing to pass it on to a friend, but he tried to make the move without me. Didn't work.

 

[kes_reef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12488311#post12488311 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Dizzle63
I had a very small one (1 1/2 inches) in with two fully grown (3 inch) skunk cleaners and despite heavy twice daily feedings, the shrimp still got eaten. I did have a peppermint survive, but that was due to it being super sneaky.

Sorry to hear that. Did you actually see the attack? Were there other potential predators in the tank?

 

[Dizzle63]

I did not see it happen, but they both started with missing antennae. Then one died one day with the other following shortly thereafter. Both times, the shrimp were dead in the tank without being completely eaten. I had the shrimp for over a year and got them at a small size. Since that time, I have added two other skunks after the wrasse jumped out and have not had a problem with these two. During the time when the shrimp died, no other inverts died nor did they show signs of distress. While I did not see them get attacked, I do believe that the wrasse was the culprit.

 

[kes_reef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12490643#post12490643 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by A sea K
I have had mine for 14 months now. When first introduced to the system I already a Fire cleaner shrimp, since that time I have added a Skunk cleaner and 4 Sexy shrimp. I can't recall when I put the Sexy's in but it has been at least 4 months. I have not had any issues to date and the wrasse is at least 4".

I'm surprised that it didn't go after your sexy shrimps, especially since it was already established before adding them. Thank you for your input!

 

[kes_reef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12491933#post12491933 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Dizzle63
I did not see it happen, but they both started with missing antennae. Then one died one day with the other following shortly thereafter. Both times, the shrimp were dead in the tank without being completely eaten. I had the shrimp for over a year and got them at a small size. Since that time, I have added two other skunks after the wrasse jumped out and have not had a problem with these two. During the time when the shrimp died, no other inverts died nor did they show signs of distress. While I did not see them get attacked, I do believe that the wrasse was the culprit.

Yeah, really sounds like the wrasse was the perpetrator. Btw, what other fish do you have in your tank and what size is it?

 

[Dizzle63]

I have a royal gramma and a purplefirefish that were added before the new shrimp and an african flameback angel that was added at the same time.

 

[will16]

I have had this wrasse for about 6 months along with a pair of blood shrimp and a pair of cleaner shrimp. Never had a problem... although he did jump but got him back in in time to recover.

 

[kes_reef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12497863#post12497863 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by will16
I have had this wrasse for about 6 months along with a pair of blood shrimp and a pair of cleaner shrimp. Never had a problem... although he did jump but got him back in in time to recover.

That's great you were able to get it back in the tank. Do your blood shrimps pair up, like the cleaner, or do they keep their distance from one another?