Neon Wrasse Reef Safe?

[justjosh]

A friend gave me a juvenile Yellow Headed Wrasse (Neon wrasse) and it has been in my quarantine tank for about three weeks now. Everything I have read says "Reef safe with caution." So how risky is it to add him to my 20L that has all types of corals? He is only a little more than an inch long.
Any feedback is appreciated.
-Josh

 

[small alien]

I think the caution is more about your clean up crew than your corals. The only way this wrasse will hurt your corals is if it flips them looking for lunch. Halichoeres spp. Wrasses are not coral nippers.

 

[snorvich]

I think the caution is more about your clean up crew than your corals. The only way this wrasse will hurt your corals is if it flips them looking for lunch. Halichoeres spp. Wrasses are not coral nippers.

Exactly.

 

[justjosh]

Awesome, thanks for the response. In he goes!

 

[small alien]

Pics, please.

 

[zachk]

I have a 5+ inch one that cruises the tank for about 5 hours a day and then buries itself. It has killed every shrimp in the tank before or after it's arrival and has snacked on many snails and hermits.

 

[justjosh]

The only shrimp in the tank right now is a skunk cleaner. At the size the wrasse is now, I don't think it could hurt the shrimp. Once it gets larger I will remove it. It is really barely an inch right now.

 

[zachk]

I'm sure it will be fine for awhile but it will grow quickly and then systematically destroy your inverts. Otherwise, mine is kind of a wuss around the other fish. He was EXTRA interested in a group of 1/2" Chromis I put in a few months back, though. I think he may have dined on 1 before I got them all pulled.

Also, mine LOVES to be cleaned by Neon Cleaner Gobies. If you can, add one or a pair. I'm pretty sure they associate together in the ocean.

 

[small alien]

Do you own a camera, sir?

 

[justjosh]

Yes yes, sorry I have been out of town, just got home yesterday. I plan to add him to the DT this week.

 

[small alien]

:wavehand: