puddingwife wrasse - need opinion

[Monkeyfish]

I recently pruchased a juvenile about 2.25 inches long. He was sold to me as something different of course, but that's what I get for not IDing it myself before purchasing.

Anyway... does anyone have experience with this fish? I know that they can get to be quite large (20 inches in the wild) and eat molluscs and hermit crabs. Will they go after starfish? Do they harrass other fish as they get bigger?

I'm trying to decide if it's worth putting him in the tank. The wrasse would be going in a 180 FOWLR with anthias, filefish and fairy and flasher wrasses. I may add a few soft corals in the future. Any input would be appreciated.

 

[BBraker]

The adult size you saw is for a "supermale". This is some sort of a hormonal thing that happens with some males in the wild, no worries about it growing that large in an aquarium. I don't recall seeing a captive one longer than 12" that wasn't collected at a larger size.

I don't see it causing any problems in your FOWLR, and they are o.k, around softies....watch it with small inverts like shrimp, etc.

Bill