Has anyone kept a Pinkface Wrasse (Thalassoma quinquevittatum) in a reef tank?

[frankpayne32]

Like the title say, I love this fish but they are listed as "reef compatible with caution". I'm not concerned with the fish eating snails, crabs, shrimp, etc. as fish are more of a priority for me than inverts. However, I have a mixed reef with SPS, LPS, clams, and zoanthus that I don't want being eating. Any experience with actually keeping this fish with corals would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Frank

 

[Stuart60611]

As you can see from my signature, I house a pinkface wrasse. My tank is now a total fowlr. However, since I have had this fish, I have had in this tank with him some frogspawn and torch coral. I had an algae issue thereafter and elected to get rid of these corals so as to keep my nutrient level lower and battle the algae through extended lights out periods. The pinkface paid no attention to these corals.

 

[frankpayne32]

Thanks Stuart60611. Anyone else kept this fish with corals?

 

[tcmfish]

They aren't really coral eaters by nature. Most people who keep larger wrasses in reefs are worried about inverts, like crabs, seastars, snails, urchins, and shrimp etc.

 

[tcmfish]

dbl post.

 

[SDguy]

They aren't really coral eaters by nature. Most people who keep larger wrasses in reefs are worried about inverts, like crabs, seastars, snails, urchins, and shrimp etc.

etc = small fish and eyeballs of tankmates, IME, with this genus.

 

[AquaKnight]

Have kept two Thalassoma, a Goldbar that was fine with SPS/LPS and Gorgonians, and a Lunare that was in more of a mixed reef. The Lunare did some damage to xenia and yellow polyps. He left regular zoas alone.

 

[frankpayne32]

etc = small fish and eyeballs of tankmates, IME, with this genus.

Wow that scary. Have you had that happen in your tank? Define small fish, like really small gobies or chromis? I have a shoal of about a dozen chromis in my tank. Would these be snacks for the wrasse? Anyone else have this fish attack other fish? Thanks very much to all who replied.

 

[SDguy]

Wow that scary. Have you had that happen in your tank? Define small fish, like really small gobies or chromis? I have a shoal of about a dozen chromis in my tank. Would these be snacks for the wrasse? Anyone else have this fish attack other fish? Thanks very much to all who replied.

WAYYYY back when I worked at a LFS we often had issues with Thalassoma hardwicke, Thalassoma lunare, and Thalassoma lutescens eating small (bite sized) fish, and removing eyes from tankmates. Back then these fish were always considered FO tank type fish, not for reefs. I'm not sure what would have changed in the last 20 years to make this no longer true

Granted, your particular species I cannot say did these things, but just wanted to put my experience out there.

 

[frankpayne32]

WAYYYY back when I worked at a LFS we often had issues with Thalassoma hardwicke, Thalassoma lunare, and Thalassoma lutescens eating small (bite sized) fish, and removing eyes from tankmates. Back then these fish were always considered FO tank type fish, not for reefs. I'm not sure what would have changed in the last 20 years to make this no longer true

Granted, your particular species I cannot say did these things, but just wanted to put my experience out there.

I appreciate your experience. I realize it might be a risk but it seems like a lot of the info I'm reading on them is that they are not reef safe but very few have actually kept them in a reef. Hopefully I can find someone that has done so. Thanks again.

 

[IFbettas]

I would not get one unless all of your other fish are equally large, active, and aggressive. Thalossoma wrasses are extremely aggressive. Some wrasses in that genus also flip rocks over in search of food. This could equal dead corals in a reef tank.

 

[Stuart60611]

I have housed two pinkfaces and one bannana from this genus. I have kept them with both damsels and a tomato clown without incident. However, wrasses did show some aggression toward them from time to time, as well as pretty much all the fish in the tank. I have found that this genus is particularly harsh on new tankmates so I think a lot of success of keeping peace is obtained by adding this genus as the last fish.

 

[frankpayne32]

Thanks for all the replys. As beautiful as the fish is I'm gonna pass and try to stick with a more peaceful tank. Thanks again.

 

[luv4qt1004]

i hate it when theres a fish u want but u cant put it in your tank

 

[frankpayne32]

Yeah how bout it? I love pufferfish and eels as well. But I guess it's a matter of what you want more. And right now I'd rather keep a large community then a tank with a few impressive specimens. Oh well...

 

[RGrycki]

I bought this fish yesterday as a Christmas Wrasse. Thinking it was an Haliechoeris, but instead after further research it turns out to be Thallasoma. Very active fish, very hungry, no problems with corals, but he was in the tank for only 12 hours. Here's why... Only an hour after waking up he picked out the most dominant male wrasse in my tank to choose to battle with. He eventually chased my male Flame wrasse into the overflow and after that he had to go. A piece of mysis and size 12 hook later, and he now resides in my sump. Fortunately I only paid $50 for him and apparently market value is closer to $100 so I may be able to recoup all of my funds.

 

[SDguy]

Yeah how bout it? I love pufferfish and eels as well. But I guess it's a matter of what you want more. And right now I'd rather keep a large community then a tank with a few impressive specimens. Oh well...

Sounds like it's time for that second tank

 

[frankpayne32]

Sounds like it's time for that second tank

Haha oh no. I just spent way more than I should have on putting a 125 in wall. Maybe one day...