Mandarin / Leopard Wrasse Synergy?

[Cantonesefish]

I've been researching the leopard wrasses, and it seems that they rely heavily on tiny crustaceans and pods in their diet, similar to the mandarin fish. I'm considering a mandarin as well - would the two fish essentially be competing for the same food source? If so, would each of them get enough food in a 72 gallon with a fuge and plenty (about 70 lbs) of live rock?

Thanks,
Chris

 

[scumonkey]

I have a leopard wrasse "Potters" in my 112 with 165lbs of live rock...
the pods before the wrasse looked like a ghetto apartment at night when the lights get turned on.
Now I'm lucky to even see one!

 

[cateyes]

they both will be snacking down on the pods and the wrasse will probable out compete the manderin for them... if you can get a manderin that will eat frozen/prepared foods you will have a much better chance of success with keeping them..

i have two leopard wrasses and two manderins in my 120, luckily one of the manderins, a male, has been eating pellets and frozen for years, i added a small female about a month ago in hopes she would learn from him,, so far so good with them all... good luck

 

[KURTIS T]

I have tried a leopard wrasse twice. The first one refused to eat any prepared food. My second one loves misyss shrimp.

It's a beautiful fish..especially under halides

 

[Just Jim]

I've had 4 leopard wrasses over the years. My oldest died after about two years. She was huge 5+" when I got her, so she was probably really old as it was. I made the mistake of introducing a young blue star that I saw at TFP. I couldn't let someone else buy it and kill it so I introduced it into the tank. Right now I have one female blue star (the one from TFP) and one male cook island, that I've had for over two years. They both eat flake (formula two) mysis, and blood worms. I think bloodworms are the best food to get these beauties eating...

 

[Cantonesefish]

Thanks for all the input, it's good to hear from people with experience.