Longfin Fairy Wrass / Royal Gramma / Yellowtail Damsel

[brett559]

Hi all,

Looking to add a few small fish to my 90g tank. I'd like to ask about the three I'm considering.

I've heard good things are wrasses. My research says the Longfin Fairy Wrasses are good (reef-safe, not too aggressive, good eaters). I'm aware that wrasses jump, although some have said this particular wrasse may be less prone to jump. I love their red coloring. Any experience with this fish?

I've also thought about a Royal Gramma basslet. Love their coloring and liveaquaria says they are peaceful and easy to keep. I've heard they can be aggressive, but I only plan on getting one. Any chance they could bother my other fish (two true perc clowns, foxface, tangs, coral beauty)? Would the royal gramma and fairy wrasse get along?

Yellowtail damsel. I've heard many horror stories about these little guys getting very aggressive. I love their blue coloring, but I'm leery of getting one. They are inexpensive and hardy (I'm told), but the aggression is a concern. How would a damsel get along with the wrasse and royal gramma mentioned above?

Your thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[toothybugs]

You should be okay with the top two.

Damsels, well, they're a-holes. Group consensus here is that we all pretty much hate 'em

 

[albano]

I've heard good things are wrasses. My research says the Longfin Fairy Wrasses are good (reef-safe, not too aggressive, good eaters). I'm aware that wrasses jump, although some have said this particular wrasse may be less prone to jump.

This statement sounds like you have no intention to cover your tank...IMO, almost every fish has the potential to jump... Tanks should be covered.

 

[Wryknow]

Tank covers are not optional with wrasses of any species IMPE. They love to carpet surf. Ditto on the damsel as well - they do not play well with others.

 

[MisterP]

One of my clown fish that I've had for 2 years jumped out and hit the floor one night while we were watching TV, luckily we were home.

Any fish can and likely will at some point jump out. Cover your tank.:facepalm:

 

[coralsnaked]

or a 12" fence

 

[brett559]

My tank is taller than most tanks - it's more of a square box than a long rectangle. Would a taller tank result in less jumping?

 

[albano]

Would a taller tank result in less jumping?

No...

 

[Coelli]

I have a young royal gramma and really like it. It was kind of being an a-hole to the firefish I just put in last night, but they've mostly sorted it out this morning. It's a gorgeous little fish too. I hear they can be shy, but mine is not shy in the slightest. He doesn't hide when I put my hands in the tank, will try to get at the food in the spot feeding tube, and doesn't freak out at people walking by the tank at all.

Then again I only buy my fish locally and try to see how skittish they are before bringing them home. My supposedly shy firefish only went into the rocks last night to sleep but has otherwise been out the whole time and mostly ignores the gramma's posturing.

 

[shesacharmer]

Damsels are jerks plain and simple. I have 1/4" mesh on my QT and my baby Blue Gudgeon managed to find a way out...I didn't find it in time. Fish jump. My Royal Gramma is a model citizen. Defends his tiny little hole in the rocks and bothers no one including my wrasses, cardinals, and one spot.

 

[brett559]

Does the gramma mostly hide? My hope is that he'll be out and about swimming around.

 

[Coelli]

Does the gramma mostly hide? My hope is that he'll be out and about swimming around.

Nope, mine doesn't hide at all. He sticks close to the rocks, but most of the time he's out about. It took him almost no time to adjust to the tank.

 

[shesacharmer]

My Gramma does not mostly hide and is very attractive. He is holed up maybe 1/3rd of the time. The rest of the time he is quite friendly and when he isn't all he does is open his mouth wide as though shouting LEAVE ME ALONE!!!

 

[JoelA7]

If you want a spark of color consider 1 Chromis instead of the damsel. Mid and open water fish so other fish are more likely to be out and less aggressive than damsels.

 

[Nina51]

i think royal grammas are often overlooked because they are so common but to me, they are one of the most beautiful saltwater fish. i have one in my 75g tank and he is always out. he has a very small territory that he guards fiercely but like shesacharmer says, he just opens his mouth wide and hollers GET OFF MY LAWN. he's all bluff, i've never actually seen him chase another fish.

i also have a red velvet fairy wrasse. he's very pretty and very social.

damsels are just jerks and while we're at it, stay far far away from any dottyback!