Melanurus/invert compatibility question

[lcs]

I have an established, mature Melanurus wrasse. Even though my tank is a 125, I really like porcelain crabs and the anemone shrimps and am considering adding one. Will they become lunch?

 

[Dmorty217]

I think you should be ok, mine doesn't pay any attention to any invert in the tank. He enjoys chasing his reflection all around my tank

 

[ca1ore]

Just try to get the crab or shrimp into the tank at night so the wrasse doesn't see it. I made the mistake one time of pouring my newly acquired CUC down through the water column - it was a slaughter!

 

[Dmorty217]

Just try to get the crab or shrimp into the tank at night so the wrasse doesn't see it. I made the mistake one time of pouring my newly acquired CUC down through the water column - it was a slaughter!

+1 while he is sleeping in the sand at night is without question the best time to add them.

 

[HumbleFish]

Just try to get the crab or shrimp into the tank at night so the wrasse doesn't see it.

+2 My Mel doesn't mess with cleaner shrimp or any of my pistol shrimp. Snails, though, are another matter.

 

[lcs]

Just try to get the crab or shrimp into the tank at night so the wrasse doesn't see it. I made the mistake one time of pouring my newly acquired CUC down through the water column - it was a slaughter!

Oh no, poor CUC! :facepalm: :lolspin:

He never bothered my cleaner (but he was pretty big) and hasn't gone after my snails, I think he did get more than a few hermits, but I can't be sure.

When I come across a crab or shrimp I'll give it a try and definitely add at night! Good call.

 

[HiImSean]

Mine use to go after stuff when he was in a smaller tank. Since upgrading and feeding more he leave everything alone. He nipped at some peppermint shrimp and turbo snails when I first put them in. In my old tank he would eat astrena stars and various snails.

 

[hogfanreefer]

Mine investigates anything new in the tank...and I mean ANYTHING. He considers anything that comes from my hand to be food till proven otherwise. I have four shrimp (two blood, two cleaners) 3 or 4 pistol shrimp (two that I put in a couple other hitch hikers) and he hasn't threatened them at all.

I used to think he was killing my snails but when I found and removed two large polyclad worms the snail deaths stopped for the most part.

I bet you will be fine adding it at night.

 

[Dmorty217]

Mine never messed with my pistol or cleaner shrimp either