Looking to add 2 Wrasses bet the bathyphilus or rhomboidalis-which would u recommend?

[flameangel88]

I've max out with adding angels so I'm looking to add 2 more wrasses into a 120g that I'm slowly adding corals in. I'd like to add 2 and have narrowed down to Hooded fairy or Rhomboid fairy.

This is what I see at the moment--2 small female rhomboid and a pair (m/f) hooded fairy. Which would you recommend given that I've the following in the tank?

Trio of juv/sm Blueline angels
Coral Beauty
Pink Margin male (rubrimarginatus)
Lubbock male


Would love to hear your opinions.

 

[roktsintst]

I think that would work just fine... Just make sure you have netting over the top of your tank or your gonna lose $$$ in Wrasses very fast! I have a Rhomboid pair and the Male is Stunning!

 

[bradleyj]

Thats a tough one to choose. Both are very beautiful. Lately its been very slim pickings on the hooded fairy. I haven't seen any for sale. Although I love rhomboids and have 3 of them now.

 

[roktsintst]

Im sorry, I misunderstood Kev... I thought you said Rhomboids AND Hooded! Hmmm... Im w/ Brad, I love my Rhomboids but the Hooded might be a better combo w/ the fish you have...

 

[NCSUsalt]

i haven't seen hoodeds on any wholesale lists in a while either, and i've been keeping a sharp eye out for one for myself

 

[euod]

I would go w/ the rhomboids first because of the two females that are available. The opportunity to observe one becoming a supermale is priceless. I had both fish but the purplish against the golden yellow of the rhomboid is dreamy. The rhomboid seems hardier because I went thru three red hooded and only one rhomboid. Well, that is hard to judge since my mystery wrasse probably knocked them out.

 

[flameangel88]

Thanks for the replies.

I saw the Hooded pair from the Diver's Den Sneak Peek yesterday but it never show up for sale and today only a male was listed. I was 25 minutes late getting on the computer. Last year I saw 2 pairs available but I was not in a position to get them and been regretting ever since. Hopefully we'll see more in the near future.

I ended up ordering 2 female rhomboids and hopefully I'll get to see one transform to male.

I left out a pair of L. rubre on the 120g fish list.

 

[bradleyj]

Yea, the hooded went real fast. Before the email even came. I'm sure the pair will get a pretty penny.
Make sure to post pics when you get your ladies.

 

[bradleyj]

I haven't seen any Nahacky's for a long time also. I would like to get me another pair.

 

[iamwrasseman]

i think you will like the rhomboids more because they are much more striking in coloration and also more aquarium friendly . they usually adapt very fast to their setting and are easy going much more than the hooded that can be skittish to the point of hurting themselves by darting within the tank when scared . the hooded are a bit tougher to get used to aquarium captivity and will jump and excessively dart within the tank much more than the rhomboid will .
i have both and my single hooded seems not to have settled in after 2 years .on the other hand my rhomboid pair have always been very relaxed and visible in my tank .

 

[flameangel88]

Got them today but I think the shipping stress was bad and hopefully both will recover.

Here they are before both went into the tank. It's a 7" container.

I could never resist a juv

Didn't have anything this orange so pick up this Orangepeel for the 180

 

[roktsintst]

ver

 

[roktsintst]

very nice kevin! Those wrasses look perfect to me for just out of the bag anf that juvi flagfin is sick!

 

[iamwrasseman]

great choice ! great specimens ! good luck and please post a few pictures in a week once they get settled in and show their true colors in all their glory !

where did you get them from ,was it online or a lfs ?
~thanks for sharing ~

 

[flameangel88]

Ryan, thanks. The FF is already swimming around and grazing LRs.

Dave, thanks. Got them from Bluezoo. Will definitely post pics once they settle in.


couple of pics

the Pink Margin is always out in the front

 

[euod]

So, you're the one. Congrats. The rhomboids look great and nice size, too.
Almost picked up an orangepeel awhile back but decided to hold out.

 

[iamwrasseman]

beautiful fish ,your additions will really make the house a home for them .

 

[flying53brian]

Hi Kevin,

Your collection is over the top, I love your choice of Rhomboids, they are certainly great fish, you certainly scored there! I had one for the longest time but did not have a top on the tank and he launched across my living room one night about a 1 1/2 months ago.
I really like the Red Hooded Fairy Wrasses too, still have the female but lost the Male to the same demise.

 

[flameangel88]

Thank you all for your replies, suggestions and more importantly taking the time to share your experiences.

After seeing them in person I know I make the right decision. I haven't seen them since they went into the tank so hopefully they will come out soon unlike the female Pink Margin which never seen since intro.

 

[flameangel88]

I haven't seen the pair since the day they arrived but finally found them this morning. They were in the rubbles area and very difficult to see them as they are hidden in the bottom. Both were no more than 6" apart but with so much rocks I'm not sure if they can see each other. They appeared to be comfortable where they are hanging out.

What a relief to see both as I really thought they were dead. The day after they arrived the main circulation (rated 4,300 gph) went dead (the shaft will not turn) and thought may be they got suck in and stuck inside because I never found the body.

I'll post pics as soon as they come around and swim in the open whenever that may be.