suitable wrasse

[skyshrimp]

Hey guys I've had my 75 up and running for about 6 months. I have a reef tank and every thing is fine so far, I just wanted you all sugesstions on what would be a small reef safe wrasse thanks in advance and feel free to ask any quesrions about my system for wrasse compatability.

 

[revaltion131]

What other fish do you have? Is a chance of eating shrimp okay? What kind of substrate do have?

 

[skyshrimp]

My other fish are two damsels, 2 perc clowns,a banded sleeper govt, yellow watchman Toby and pistol shrimp, two peppermint shrimps. I plan on getting a cleaner shrimp and i wouldnt want him to eat that. My substrate is caribsea reef sand and its about 1-2 mm in size and 4 1/2 in deep. I know they sand dive and sleep in it would this hurt a wrasse?

 

[revaltion131]

Sorry, I forgot to ask the biggest question: do you have a lid? Wrasses are big jumpers and with two damsels, I could easily see it being chased and jumping. What species are the damsels and how recently were they added to the tank?

Your sand should be fine for any sand-sleeper. The depth seems quite a bit too much in general but what we're concerned with for wrasse purposes is being around 2" deep and fine-grain, which yours is.

 

[skyshrimp]

Yes and no for the lids. During the day when i am watching the tank i keep the lids off so oxygen can better reach my tank. At night I put the lids back on when I'm sleep or going to work. The damsels are a yellow tail and a black and white striped. But if need be they can be sent to another home for better keeping. They've been with my tank since a month into set-up(5 months)

 

[rbonick]

No top = no wrasses in my opinion. If you decide to get one, I would strongly suggest building a lid out of window screen frame and bird netting. I even tried egg crate and they could jump through 1/2 inch holes.

 

[rbonick]

Also, wrasses tend to eat shrimp.

 

[snorvich]

Also, wrasses tend to eat shrimp.

Fairy and flasher wrasses do not eat shrimp. However, with no lids, they will be history.

 

[revaltion131]

My thoughts would be to return the damsels (could be problems for any new fish anyway) and get 2-3 fairy/flasher wrasses. However, as Steve said, they're toast without a lid, and a good one at that. I've lost five fish in the course of thinking my top was closed enough.

 

[timmytimtim]

I have a cleaner wrasse with an open top tank. I know they can jump, but i've had this guy for about 6 months. I got the cleaner wrasse so it could keep the tangs clean and it's never bothered my cleaner shrimp, or coral banded shrimp.

 

[rbonick]

Fairy and flasher wrasses do not eat shrimp. However, with no lids, they will be history.

I've seen my Lineatus Fairy Wrasse eat 2 peppermint shrimp. Maybe if the shrimp are already established but as soon as I set them free in the tank, both were devoured.

 

[snorvich]

I have a cleaner wrasse with an open top tank. I know they can jump, but i've had this guy for about 6 months. I got the cleaner wrasse so it could keep the tangs clean and it's never bothered my cleaner shrimp, or coral banded shrimp.

Longevity is no barrier to jumping.

 

[Ralph ATL]

Longevity is no barrier to jumping.

exactly.............just make a screen top from some window screen at home depot..........

 

[LKGRenegade22]

I've seen my Lineatus Fairy Wrasse eat 2 peppermint shrimp. Maybe if the shrimp are already established but as soon as I set them free in the tank, both were devoured.

Did you just drop the shrimp in and he ate them immediately?

 

[MadOTC]

I have had a Radiant Wrasse in my tank for over a year now. He shares it with 3 Ocellaris Clownfish, 2 Yellowtail Damsels, a Green Mandarin and a couple crabs. I haven't had any problems at all with the wrasse bothering other fish or with it jumping out of the tank. It has also been fine with the crushed coral in the tank. Whenever it gets spooked it disappears into the substrate for a couple hours.

 

[rbonick]

Did you just drop the shrimp in and he ate them immediately?

The first one before it even hit the bottom of the tank. The second one about a minute later. Granted they were small and the Lineatus is a super male over 4 inches.