Lyretail/Moon/Lunare Wrasse Addition?

[BlueWorldJeff]

There is a lunar wrasse at my LFS that is about 5-6" and beautiful. I'm wondering if it would be a smart addition to my tank:

180 gallon (6x2x2) mixed reef, 3 live rock pillars, sea floor special grade sand

Current livestock:
Dejardini Sailfin Tang (Largest)
Blonde Naso Tang (Latest addition, 3 weeks ago)
Yellow Eye Kole Tang
Leopard Wrasse
Flame Angel
Black & White Ocellaris x2
Blue Chromis x2

Ultra Gold Maxima Clam
Sand Sifting Starfish x2
Serpent Starfish x2 (I think, never see them)
some Trochus snails and small hermits

I read that the Lunar wrasse is coral safe, but will eat inverts. Like starfish and clams or just snails? Will it mess with the leopard wrasse (Female)

I like the size and movement of the Lunar Wrasse, I have alot of swimming room in my tank, but a ton of hiding places in live rock.

I am adding more live rock soon

I am also debating on a foxface as well

 

[evolved]

Not advised. A big, aggressive species that's a voracious motile invert eater. Will harass the leopard for sure.

 

[BlueWorldJeff]

Not advised. A big, aggressive species that's a voracious motile invert eater. Will harass the leopard for sure.

Yeah, thats kind of the message I was getting from my research.

Are there any large wrasses like a lunar that are better suited for my tank and play nice with inverts/other wrasses?

 

[evolved]

Are there any large wrasses like a lunar that are better suited for my tank and play nice with inverts/other wrasses?

What do you consider large?
Anything of the Thalassoma genus, like the lunar, should be taken off your consideration list.

Some species of Cirrhilabrus reach 5-6", if you consider that large. Most of them would be fine choices.
http://www.3reef.com/threads/all-about-reef-safe-wrasses.122261/

 

[nereefpat]

Most larger wrasses can, of course, eat your snails and hermits.

There are some bigger members of the family that are less aggressive. How about a tusk? What about one of the bigger Halichoeres spp like a checkerboard?

 

[evolved]

What about one of the bigger Halichoeres spp like a checkerboard?

The Halichoeres species which exceed 6" can get rather rough on motile inverts too.

 

[nereefpat]

No doubt. Looks like Jeff has a decision to make. Wrasses or snails.

 

[Dromon]

Good decision not to go wit the Lunar. My local LFS has a giant shark tank where they throw in the really aggressive fish that customers return. There's always Dascyllus damels and Lunar wrasses in it.

 

[snorvich]

Not advised. A big, aggressive species that's a voracious motile invert eater. Will harass the leopard for sure.

This.

 

[BlueWorldJeff]

No doubt. Looks like Jeff has a decision to make. Wrasses or snails.

I only have maybe 4-5 trochus snails and probably less hermits. I don't rely on them for cleaning really.

I am more worried about a predator eating my maxima clam or starfish.

What I liked about the lunar wrasse is it's free swimming nature. How it is always moving and diving in and around rocks. I do have tangs that provide plenty of movement, but they are always stopping and looking at me for food when I enter the room!

 

[BlueWorldJeff]

What do you consider large?
Anything of the Thalassoma genus, like the lunar, should be taken off your consideration list.

Some species of Cirrhilabrus reach 5-6", if you consider that large. Most of them would be fine choices.
http://www.3reef.com/threads/all-about-reef-safe-wrasses.122261/

What are the category 2 Reef Safe Halichoeres wrasses?

I'll take a look at the Cirrhilabrus as well.

 

[evolved]

What are the category 2 Reef Safe Halichoeres wrasses?

I'll take a look at the Cirrhilabrus as well.

All of the ones listed are a good start.

 

[BlueWorldJeff]

Great Article. A Halichoeres in the 7" range that left my inverts alone would be great!

H. richmondi looks good, although I like the shape of the H. melanarus better.

The H. marginatus would be my pick if it didnt pick at inverts when older.

Others smaller beauties - H.chrysus, H. iridis, H. chloropterus and H. claudia, WOW!

Which one of these would have movement most like the Lunar Wrasse?

 

[BlueWorldJeff]

H. melasmapomus is another one!

 

[BlueWorldJeff]

Most larger wrasses can, of course, eat your snails and hermits.

There are some bigger members of the family that are less aggressive. How about a tusk? What about one of the bigger Halichoeres spp like a checkerboard?

Whats up with the H. hortulanus (checkerboard)? Good looking fish with some size!

 

[BlueWorldJeff]

I think I am going to go with the checkerboard wrasse. Just buy it small and see what happens. What do you think?

 

[BlueWorldJeff]

I think I am going to go with the checkerboard wrasse. Just buy it small and see what happens. What do you think?

Do they look different depending on where they come from? I've seen Fiji and Sri Lanka

 

[nereefpat]

I think it sounds like a good choice. Snails and hermits may eventually become snacks, but I think the bigger inverts will be fine. Will be a pretty and unique fish.

Sorry, can't help you with possible regional color variations.

 

[BlueWorldJeff]

Went to the LFS on Saturday to get food and they had a small (3") marble wrasse in a display tank. They said it had been there for a month and a half. I dont recall ever seeing it. I didnt get it on saturday, just wanted to think about it.

I came back on sunday for it. They showed me how it ate and it ate well. I took it home, acclimated and put it in the tank.

It hung out for a bit, didnt get harassed by any other tank mates and then later it was gone. I'm guessing it went into the sand. I dont see it in the overflow, sump or on the floor. We'll see if and when it comes out for food. I have 2" of sea flor special sand so plenty of room for him to hide and feel safe.

Its a good looking fish and the pattern will only get more intricate on it as it gets older is what I understand. I'll post a pic once he comes out