ID this Wrasse

[Anthonius]

Hey all I just needed an ID on this wrasse and whether or not I should keep it in a future fully stocked reef tank. Hes already really aggressive towards most fish making the main point of his day to pick at and chase others across the entire tank. Yesterday I was filming some footage of a blue leg hermit switching a shell and sure enough he swooped in and just ate the defenseless hermit and made him for a $3.00 snack. Anyways below is a video (I apologize now for my shaky hands and poor skills at focusing) but if anyone can ID this fish I would love that and greatly appreciate it and any comments that come with the ID. If you could also provide some reference material with the ID I would be even more greatful.

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[fishguy597]

It's a fairy wrass wich one I'm not sure. Very pretty fish I was about to pull the trigger on one last week. If he's a bully Im glad I didnt. Good luck.

 

[Anthonius]

Yeah i know its a fairy... no exact IDs?

 

[LemonLemon]

it is a female.

and i believe it's a female of Cirrhilabrus filamentosus.

the problem with fairy wrasses is that most females look identical.

 

[bradleyj]

It's a juvenile fairy, so it's hard to give you a positive ID. My guess would be a Condei.
But that's just a guess.

 

[bradleyj]

It's a juvenile fairy, so it's hard to give you a positive ID. My guess would be a Condei.
But that's just a guess.

 

[Anthonius]

ok if its either of those types why is it so aggressive? and if it is those types are they normally aggressive?

 

[niter]

It does look like the fairy wrasse we had a while back but ours was very gentle!

 

[Anthonius]

well i guess i am just going to trap this thing... not sure what to do with it. I would hate to give it to petco but I dont want to take it all the way out to omaha where i bought it. any recommendations for a much more docile wrasse or two?

 

[LemonLemon]

any idea where the wrasse came from?

indonesia, philippines, vanuatu etc? do you know?

that could zone in on it's ID much more easily. this one is not as difficult as some other female fairy wrasses.

it's definitely not in the rubriventralis complex, so we can eliminate all species from that complex.
it's definitely not in the marjorie/flavidorsalis complex so we can eliminate all species from that complex.

it's the female of either a tonozukai, filamentosus or condei. somewhere along those lines. a confirmation on the location will make things easier.

if it is tonozukai or filamentosus, which i'm quite sure it is, then it's very aggressive. this two species are horrible.

you can replace it with a more peaceful fairy wrasse. do a search on the genus cirrhilabrus. most are peaceful but not all. so be sure to do research!