Potential Wrasses

sg1838

sg1838

New member
Well, I've been researching my next fish for the better part of a month, and I THOUGHT i had decided upon a Wrasse for my next fish. Here are what I believe to be the top 6, in order:

1. Exquisite Wrasse (Cirhilabrus exquisitus)
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+1378+318&pcatid=318
2. Yellow-Flanked Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus lyukyuensis)
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+1378+2242&pcatid=2242
3. Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse (Paracheilinus carpenteri)
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+1378+329&pcatid=329
4. Christmas Wrasse (Halichoeres ornatissimus)
http://www.marinecenter.com/fish/wrassealsoseehogfish/christmaswrasse/
5. Melanurus Wrasse (Halichoeres melanurus)
http://www.marinecenter.com/fish/wrassereefsafe/melanuruswrasse/
6. Red Velvet Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus rubrisquamis)
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+1378+1409&pcatid=1409

The reason why I say I THOUGHT one of these would be my next fish is because I thought I would be able to find one that was reef safe, hardy, and peaceful to other tank mates. But, the more I researched, it seems there may not be any such thing as the perfect Wrasse:

1. The Exquisite Wrasse can supposedly become aggressive.
2. The Yellow-Flanked Fairy Wrasse is supposedly difficult to get.
3. Christmas Wrasse may not be reef safe.
4. The Melanurus Wrasse may supposedly hassle inverts.
5. The Red Velvet Wrasse can supposedly be difficult to care for.
6. The Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse is supposedly aggressive and should be the first fish introduced to the tank (I already have 6 fish in my tank).

Then, I read this thread (that's been stickied, which tells me that people think that there is good information contained in here) that basically states that Flasher and Fairy Wrasses should be left to "experts" only:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1157901

I may not be a total beginner, but I don't consider myself an expert either.

So, am I being over-paranoid here, or are none of my choices really suitable for my reef tank? I'd love to hear some feedback from some of you that know more about this species than me, and hopefully from some of you that have had specific experiences with one or more of these fish.

Thanks...
 
Any of the flasher wrasses would be great additions. If you're able to, see if you can get a male with a few females. He'll put on incredible displays for you! If you've never seen a flasher wrasse "flash" in person, it's amazing.

One caveat: Be sure that your tank is covered, and I would make sure that your overflow is covered with gutter guard.
 
Hi Jason, I've had a Tricolor Fairy Wrasse for a few months now and it is very peaceful and reef safe in my 150 gallon tank. The colors on this fish are beautiful.

You're a smart cookie doing research before aquiring one.
 
I agree with Carol. Any of the Fairy Wrasses would do fine. I like the look of the Scott's best. As you know, I have a McCosker's and am very pleased with him. He was timid for a few days, but now he's out in the water column and he flashes at feeding time. He's an appetite wrapped in fins and eats everything I throw in there. Come over and see him sometime. MO has some nice wrasses in stock including a few Leopards and I think at least one Fairy; at least they did a week or so ago.
 
Jason I used to have a Mystery Wrasse in my 150. He quickly became my favorite fish and I never had any problems with him. I was pretty upset when i ended up finding him on my carpet.
 
Gary Majchrzak said:
Jason- I would post what wrasses you want to get and we'll give a recommended order for introducing them.
Click to expand...

Gary, the 6 specific wrasses listed in my original message. I'm not planning on getting all 6 obviously, and I never even really thought that I would get more than one from the wrasse genus (i.e. I might get a male and 2 female Carpenter's Flasher Wrasses). But, I guess I could probably get 2 different species, such as an Exquisite (Cirrhilabrus exquisitus) and a Carpenter's (Paracheilinus carpenteri).

Anyway, the 6 specific species listed in my original message are the ones I am most interested in. The others species I like less for one reason or another (appearance, hardiness, reef safeness, ability to get along with other tank mates, price, etc.)
 
Last edited:
As a note, other fish I am considering after the Wrasse (I figured the Wrasse would make the best next addition) are an Angel, possibly another Tang, and a Hawkfish (though it is highly unlikely that I would add ALL of these). I was also considering a couple of Firefish, and an Engineer Goby, but I don't want my Diamond Goby competing with the Engineer Goby for territory, and I want to add some larger fish to the tank (the reason why I eliminated the Firefish).
 
1. Exquisite Wrasse (Cirhilabrus exquisitus)
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...318&pcatid=318
2. Yellow-Flanked Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus lyukyuensis)
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...42&pcatid=2242
3. Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse (Paracheilinus carpenteri)
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...329&pcatid=329
4. Christmas Wrasse (Halichoeres ornatissimus)
http://www.marinecenter.com/fish/wra...ristmaswrasse/
5. Melanurus Wrasse (Halichoeres melanurus)
http://www.marinecenter.com/fish/wra...lanuruswrasse/
6. Red Velvet Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus rubrisquamis)
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...09&pcatid=1409


introduce Carpenter's FIRST.

all of the Cirrhilabrus you listed CAN be kept together but all of them have a similar temperment (ie: none are timid).
introduce them all at once or (in order over time) from smallest to largest.

I'd stick with only one of those Halichoeres. Add Halichoeres LAST.
 
Would you add the Wrasses before the other fish I listed (another Tang, Angelfish, Hawkfish, etc.), or after? And if I understand you correctly, I could keep a Cirrhilabrus AND a Halichoeres? Having a few Carpenter's Flasher Wrasses now and then adding a Christmas or a Melanurus later would be cool. But, I don't want to overstock my tank, and I do want to have the largest variety of genus in my tank as possible (without overstocking, and assuming their all reef safe, somewhat easy to care for, and everybody will get along).

Thanks...
 
Added a melanerus wrasse to my 90 gallon about 4 months ago and it has been a model citizen. tiny snails are at risk but otherwise non of my inverts have been harrases in any way. Oh and it totally cleared out a ptramid snail issue within 2 weeks. Love this fish
 
perhaps i just got lucky but I have nothing but praise for my radiant wrasse (Halichoeres iridis). never bothered a fish or coral and I have it was softies, sps, clowns, tang, psuedos, jawfish, cleaner wrasse fire fish and snails and crabs. He is a model citizen and at about 6 inches he is the largest fish in the tank, length wise at least. I think you'll be very happy with the Halichoeres when the time comes they are incredible fish and very entertaining. Good luck.
 
I had a Radiant Wrasse. It was a great addition.

I would not make generalizations about a whole family of wrasses based on the experience of one fish.
 
Gary Majchrzak said:
Depending on species of Tang and Angelfish these might be better off added last.

For example: add Powder Tang LAST of all.
Click to expand...

Thanks for reaffirming Gary - this is what I was planning. Though after talking with John at MO yesterday, another Tang probably isn't in my future unless I remove the Yellow Tang (unlikely).

I picked up the Longnose Hawkfish yesterday that I had been coveting, as well as a Hi-Fin Red Banded Goby and Red Banded Pistol Shrimp. John & Sue at MO spent a bunch of time with me yesterday, and I am very happy with my purchases so far. But, a Wrasse is in my future in the very near term (though probably after I get back from Europe).
 
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