Multiple Wrasse w/ Dragonets feeding question

[mkoop]

Hello everyone, have a question in regards to wrasse.

I plan to introduce two pairs of wrasse, I have decided on:
Exquisite Fairy Wrasse - Cirrhilabrus exquisitus
McCosker's Flasher Wrasse - Paracheilinus mccoskeri

I plan to keep a male and female of each species. I was originally planning to introduce the four simultaneously but I fear it will be too dramatic of an impact to my pod population so I am taking a step back and would like some input on this. My main concern is a detriment to the pod population and ultimately the feeding ability of my dragonets.

In regards to the dragonets I am currently keeping:
1 Spotted Mandarin - Synchiropus picturatus
1 Ruby Red Dragonet - Synchiropus tudorjonesi

Both dragonets currently feed on pods as well as supplement pe mysis.

Tank is a 180 mixed reef with a 75 sump, fuge is roughly 40g controlled low flow. Skimmer > return < fuge set to allow me to provide a place to cultivate the pods.

Currently I would estimate between 5-10,000 pods in fuge (this is a guess obviously but they are absolutely covering 4 mid sized pieces of live rock as well as making a large chunk of chaeto their home. Display is populated with pods currently as well. I have built several transportable pod hotels (live rock contained in gutter guard) to move from fuge to display to supplement display pods if need be.

I think the current plan or route I would like to conduct is add the Fairy Wrasse (Male and Female) to QT and then into the display, followed by the McCosker's male and female being introduced to QT then ultimately display in succession (so roughly introduced to display 6-10 weeks apart). I feel this would allow me ample time to determine if I need to further supplement pods.

I guess I'm just looking for a bit of guidance from wrasse keepers, will these 4 simply be to much to keep with 2 dragonet? Can this be successful with my current set up or am I pushing the limits?

I guess as stated my biggest concern is the wrasse decimating the pod population to the point that all is left for the dragonets is supplemental food (pe mysis) which I would prefer not to be their main food source.

 

[Reefmedic79]

I think you should be fine adding them all at once.

How much LR do you have in the DT?

To add about flashers and I believe fairy wrasses would be the same. My club hosted a meeting with Tony Vargas as a speaker and he informed that these wrasses tend to get too frisky with their female counterparts when there is only one to occupy their time. He suggest having at least 3 females to every male, to prevent the death of the females due to exhaustion of being mated with so frequently. He also states that a lot of wrasses can be kept in a relatively small system as long a sufficient filtration and feeding are maintained.

 

[mkoop]

I think you should be fine adding them all at once.

How much LR do you have in the DT?

To add about flashers and I believe fairy wrasses would be the same. My club hosted a meeting with Tony Vargas as a speaker and he informed that these wrasses tend to get too frisky with their female counterparts when there is only one to occupy their time. He suggest having at least 3 females to every male, to prevent the death of the females due to exhaustion of being mated with so frequently. He also states that a lot of wrasses can be kept in a relatively small system as long a sufficient filtration and feeding are maintained.

Very interesting information, I am going to have read a bit more about that. So essentially I would be looking at 4 of the same species in order to provide the highest quality of life for the fish, I'm not entirely sure I want 8 wrasse in my tank in the end so maybe I need to figure out which of the two species I prefer.

In regards to your question I have between 220-235 lbs of live rock in the tank at any given time, I have a few smaller pieces that I am currently rotating into and out of the fuge to maintain my pod population in the display.

 

[Ron99]

Hopefully you can get your mandarins on prepared food. I have a female I've had for years. She takes pellets, mysis, bloodworm etc. Basically anything I put in there. Makes life easier

 

[mkoop]

Hopefully you can get your mandarins on prepared food. I have a female I've had for years. She takes pellets, mysis, bloodworm etc. Basically anything I put in there. Makes life easier

They are both eating pe mysis frozen currently, though I have read some studies and opinions that they may not get all of the nutrients they need from frozen alone, thus my concern about the pod population.

I'm likely just over thinking. I appreciate all of the feedback.

 

[Reefmedic79]

They are both eating pe mysis frozen currently, though I have read some studies and opinions that they may not get all of the nutrients they need from frozen alone, thus my concern about the pod population.

I'm likely just over thinking. I appreciate all of the feedback.

If it were the only they were eating I would be worried about nutrient deficiencies. While you are probably overthinking it, in this situation, it's good that your worried about the proper diet of your inhabitants. With that said, with over 200lbs of LR, I think you will have little issue with keeping the mandarins fed, even more so because they are eating prepared foods. Also, I personally don't see an issue with having 8 wrasses added, although I would do it 4 at a time, if you decide to go for it. I've got 3 McKosker's (lost 1 due to shipping stress) in my 40B with 8 other small fish without issue. Flasher's do stay pretty small.

As for the other info I mentioned, I've never read or found in other evidence to support the claims that Tony made, but he is pretty well known on the subject of aquarium wrasses, and I know he frequents RC and other forums, although I don't know his screen name.

 

[Paul B]

Thats easy. I built this feeder which keeps all my smaller fish happy and my dragonettes spawning. It dispenses newborn brine shrimp all day.

Here is a video.






Here they are spawning.

 

[dread240]

Paul, what size mesh and where did you get it at for that feeder?

I have a 75 and want a mandarin but I run very little rock in my tank, but nothing else really competing for it

 

[Paul B]

It's an old net, I think a stocking would work

 

[Psyops]

I have about 15 different wrasses in my 180. They are single species and I don't have any issues with each one harrasing the other. I did introduce my mystery wrasse last. I like the variety. I have friends that have one male and one female flasher and other wrasses in their tanks, no issues. It's just your preference.

Alex

 

[MBC2012]

No to highjack the thread - but Paul B can you explain how you made the feeder. I looked at the video and I couldn't get enough info to figure it out.

 

[mkoop]

No to highjack the thread - but Paul B can you explain how you made the feeder. I looked at the video and I couldn't get enough info to figure it out.

No worries at all - I was hoping there was a DIY for it, would love to get that set up as well.

 

[Paul B]

It should all be in here http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2253223&highlight=mandarin

 

[dread240]

Might be a stupid question, but is it possible to just drop a container in like that with some brine shrimp eggs and let 'em hatch in there?

 

[Paul B]

It is possible and would work. You would just have to remove it every day to clean out the egg shells. My design has a tube going to the surface with a funnel on the top so I just pour in baby brine shrimp every day.

 

[MondoBongo]

It's an old net, I think a stocking would work

i used pantyhose for mine. works very well. cheap, and easily sourced.