Mixing Maori Wrasses?

[jd474]

No luck in the FO forum, and I know it's a long shot, but has anyone kept multiple Maori wrasses together? I would like to add 6 or so Cheilinus/Oxycheilinus sp. into an existing tank. Tank size is not an issue, and they will be housed w/other large fish.

 

[skh]

Tank size is not an issue, and they will be housed w/other large fish.

Wow, that sounds like one hell of a tank! I've read that Maoris are among the biggest and meanest wrasses around.

Edit: Have you looked at this article in case there's something useful? http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2004/3/fish

Once they acclimate, the cheeklined Maori wrasse may display combative tendencies, occasionally nipping or chasing newly introduced fish tankmates. No more than one Maori wrasse of the same species should be kept per aquarium, since fighting is likely to occur in aquarium confines. If you want to keep to Cheilinus spp. in the same aquarium, introduce them simultaneously and provide a lot of hiding places. Species that are different in shape and color will be more likely to get along than similar forms. Some Maori wrasses may also display aggression toward similarly shaped wrasses.

 

[tcmfish]

They gotta come together sometime, otherwise we'd have no more. I'm sure it could be done, but species and tank size will limit you. Sounds like either isn't a problem so whatever species you choose keep us posted.

 

[jd474]

Tim, the tank is 13 000 gal., so I'm hoping it's big enough for 6 of them. It has housed a pair of terminal dragon wrasses for several years, so I figure if they can get along with each other, and the other fish (for the most part), why not throw in some Maoris?

 

[tcmfish]

Are you referring to the Napoleon wrasse? Because I think a lot of the Cheilinus wrasses go by Maori wrasse for a common name. Either way its hard for me to think of 13,000 gallon display without seeing it, let alone a fish that big or multiples of them in a tank that size...

Is there any reason you want 6? While I think that is a good number to start with to hopefully end up with at least one of each sex, if you end up with multiple males you may run into problems. I think it would be a good idea to observe them together and then possibly remove ones that seem to be competing for dominance, in hopes that you end up with a pair or 1m/2f ratio.

 

[jd474]

I should've prefaced, but I'm not considering a Napoleon, they are just too big, and we already have one in another exhibit - so I'm not looking to add one of those. No real reason for the number, I was just looking for a group of different species, and I thought that would be a good number to start with; it may only be 3 or 4, whatever we end up getting. Luckily if we run into aggression issues, we can place them into different/bigger tanks, if need be. I just thought a reef tank w/these large wrasses would be very different, and very interesting, if it works out.