new wrasse requirements

[Enki]

I am getting a male line spot flasher wrasse, Paracheilinus lineopunctatus, today from DD and I was looking to see what best practices are for taking care of the new dude.

--what is the best method for QT and for how long should I have in QT?
set up: I have a 20 gallon long which I made a cover out of a window screen kit.
I have a power head, heater and live rock.


--what is a good food suggestion? I feed my display pemysis they love it, but the food is on the larger size.

--I want to get some females and it looks like I can get some Line spot Flasher Wrasse, from Liveaquaria, but they are not sexed just sized as medium.
Any suggestions as to how to acquire the females? How many females to get?

Any other suggestions to other wrasse to have with the line spot flasher wrasse?

Thanks

 

[Crna]

I was looking at that line spot, but already have a fish in the QT, so I decided to wait. Cool that someone here got him!

 

[Rutrag]

As far as your QT, I would keep him there at least two weeks. Getting females in nigh impossible unless you buy a pair or trio. You can keep male flashers of another species with him without too much issue. I would advise that you introduce any new flashers by way of an acclimation box, just in case things start off in a rough patch. Most smaller frozen foods are fine, as are small pellets.

 

[Deinonych]

So you're the one that snagged him! I was thinking about picking him up along with the P. cyaneus I received from DD today.

I start off all new additions with Hikari mysis as well as Cyclopeeze. The Hikari mysis are much smaller than the PE Mysis brand.

As far as females go, you may run the risk of them turning male eventually. Probably better to get a few males of different species. They will flash at each other. I would second the recommendation to use an acclimation box with any new additions.

Congrats on your new acquisition. That one is a beauty!

 

[Enki]

Deinonych any suggestions on species?

Adding more males sounds great since the flashing is a behavior I would like to see. I know the flashing will keep the family happy with me having the aquarium.
When I received the line spot flasher wrasse I thought he was dead. no movement nothing. I drip acclimate him with my normal procedure and it looked like he was a goner.
I even waived my fingers in the water and he never moved. When I was getting ready to admit he was gone I added some more light to the room, I acclimate with ambient light only in the room, I could see his eyes moving. I kept up with my acclimate and added to the qt.
Now he seems great. He is eating PE Mysis and Spectrum Thera +

If I get more males any suggestions as to if I can quarantine them in the same tank?
I will probably get them from dd as well.
Thanks

 

[Deinonych]

Any of the Paracheilinus spp. would be compatible, so it comes down to personal preference. I like P. mccoskeri, P. carpenteri and P. filamentosus, personally (in addition to the P. cyaneus I have currently). You can QT them together, but get an acclimation box just in case.

 

[Deinonych]

This is a great write-up about reef-compatible wrasses: http://www.3reef.com/forums/tropical-fish/all-about-reef-safe-wrasses-122261.html#.UqzU0uK1EwB

 

[evolved]

This is a great write-up about reef-compatible wrasses: http://www.3reef.com/forums/tropical-fish/all-about-reef-safe-wrasses-122261.html#.UqzU0uK1EwB

Thank you!

 

[hogfanreefer]

My Linespot is the most passive of my 6 wrasses. The pecking order goes melanurus, H. claudia, orange back fairy, McCoskers flasher, Lubbock fairy. He doesn't bother anything and no one really bothers him. I just wish he was more assertive because he never flashes!

 

[Deinonych]

Thank you!

Welcome. Your extensive knowledge is worth sharing!