Tank focused on flasher/fiary wrasses

[GoldeneyeRet]

I have been thinking of setting up my 120 again. It has been down for about 5-6 years.

I had thought I wanted to build it around anthias, but the more I read the more I think I want 4-5 Fairy/Flasher wrasses. I would like to keep a high load of small, peaceful fish, the wrasses being the focal point. I would chose my final equipment set-up and the rest of my livestock around these wrasses.

The question is which fairy/flasher wrasses should I consider? I want them to be the smaller and more peaceful of the group. I would also like them to be differing in color (from one another)as much as possible. I am going to limit the cost to the more moderate or cheaper species as well. maybe up to around $80 each, but the cheaper ones are preferred. l would also consider spending more if there was a real benefit to a more expensive species but from what I can see the moderate priced ones have plenty to offer. There are no stores here that have any, so I have to rely on pictures and I know that really doesn't do them justice.

From what I have read, here are some initial thoughts: Lubbocks and orange backed fairies, maybe the flame? flashers seem easier to chose as they are smaller but a lot of them look somewhat alike from the pictures. Linespot and blue look interesting. The mckoskers, carpenters and several others all seem to look similar and it seems as many might work in this plan.

I appreciate any feed back regarding selecting and keeping these wrasses. Which ones will fit my plan the best? All opinions are very welcome and thanks for the help in planning my fish list.

Thanks

 

[hogfanreefer]

With these criteria my choices would be C. lubbocki, C. aurantidorsalis/luykyuensis and C. rubrimarginalis. For flashers P. flavianalis and P. lineopunctatus.

That would give you 3 distinctly different colored fairies and 2 very different colored flashers. The last two fairies get a little larger but with the small lubbocki and the small flashers you have plenty of room in your size tank.

JMO.

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

Thanks for the advice hoganreefer, That's exactly the kind of advice I was looking for. After looking at each of these more closely, I think it looks like a perfect grouping for me.

Anyone else have any other ideas?

Thank a lot!

 

[hogfanreefer]

If you want to get a little frisky with the money, substitute a C. lineatus for the rubrimarginatus and a P. octaenia for the flavianalis

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

Hmm..... the C. lineatus looks similar to the rubrimarginatus but maybe quite a bit more attractive. It is twice the price, is it twice as nice? (actually 4x the price, but that wouldn't rhyme) A definite possibility.

I looked up Pseudocheilinus octotaenia at first and for a second I thought you were cray! Then I realized my mistake. Is the Paracheilinus ocotaenia more aggressive? I am reading it might be and although it should be compatible with the other wrasses, how is it with other small fish? It does look very attractive.

Thanks for the suggestions, I am open to any other s as well.

 

[evolved]

I have been thinking of setting up my 120 again. It has been down for about 5-6 years.

I had thought I wanted to build it around anthias, but the more I read the more I think I want 4-5 Fairy/Flasher wrasses. I would like to keep a high load of small, peaceful fish, the wrasses being the focal point. I would chose my final equipment set-up and the rest of my livestock around these wrasses.

The question is which fairy/flasher wrasses should I consider? I want them to be the smaller and more peaceful of the group. I would also like them to be differing in color (from one another)as much as possible. I am going to limit the cost to the more moderate or cheaper species as well. maybe up to around $80 each, but the cheaper ones are preferred. l would also consider spending more if there was a real benefit to a more expensive species but from what I can see the moderate priced ones have plenty to offer. There are no stores here that have any, so I have to rely on pictures and I know that really doesn't do them justice.

From what I have read, here are some initial thoughts: Lubbocks and orange backed fairies, maybe the flame? flashers seem easier to chose as they are smaller but a lot of them look somewhat alike from the pictures. Linespot and blue look interesting. The mckoskers, carpenters and several others all seem to look similar and it seems as many might work in this plan.

I appreciate any feed back regarding selecting and keeping these wrasses. Which ones will fit my plan the best? All opinions are very welcome and thanks for the help in planning my fish list.

Thanks

You could have more than 4-5, if you choose carefully.

Availability and price will be your limiting factors.

Cyaneus and lineopunctatus are also very similar to the casual observer; the shape of the tail is the main difference.

You might find this useful: http://www.3reef.com/forums/tropical-fish/all-about-reef-safe-wrasses-122261.html

With these criteria my choices would be C. lubbocki, C. aurantidorsalis/luykyuensis and C. rubrimarginalis. For flashers P. flavianalis and P. lineopunctatus.

That would give you 3 distinctly different colored fairies and 2 very different colored flashers. The last two fairies get a little larger but with the small lubbocki and the small flashers you have plenty of room in your size tank.

JMO.

That would be a suitable plan.

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

Thanks for that link to your article, but more thanks for writing it. I found it early on in my search for these fish and have it close at hand every time I go looking for wrasses.

As far as having more, I am seeing how these can be addictive, I already want about 20 of them!

Thanks for all the help.

 

[velvetelvis]

Nothing useful to add, but be sure to post pics when the tank is stocked! It sounds like it's going to be beautiful.

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

velvetelvis haha awesome name! I will post some pics, but it will be a looong time before any fish arrive. I havent even started set up yet!

 

[d-man]

IMO lineatus is one of the prettiest hands down. A beautiful male golden rhomboid as well, but price is up there.
My favs in my tank are my male red velvet(tank king), rhomboid, attenuatus, cf lancelatous and my blue spot tamarin.
I have mant more, but these are my tank wrasse favs.
Next on the list will be a lineatus.

 

[capt85]

I just picked up a C. rubrimarginalis that was mislabeled at the LFS and I am VERY happy it was mislabeled. Once in QT this is a beautiful fish and was very luck to get it at the price I did. I would recommend sticking with the C. rubrimarginalis instead of the C. lineatus because of the price.

I also loved having Halichoeres chrysus (yellow "Coris" wrasse). I had a pair and the males coloration on his face was beautiful!! And he ate flat worms

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

Thanks for the useful advice everyone. I do appreciate it!

I am still listening if there are any further ideas! I do think the options listed so far are convincing enough for me to move forward. Im going to haul the tank inside tonight and see what redesigns and changes I need to make! I don't have to make any final decisions on fish for months, but having some specific options helps a lot.

The project begins!

Thanks again to everyone for the help.

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

With these criteria my choices would be C. lubbocki, C. aurantidorsalis/luykyuensis and C. rubrimarginalis. For flashers P. flavianalis and P. lineopunctatus.

So it looks like this combination is roughly what I will go with, Thanks for the advice! Any other suggestions as far as the wrasses are still welcome!

I was just out drilling holes in my tank and wanted a break so I am searching for more stocking suggestions. This time on suitable tank mates for these wrasses.

What gets along well with these? Again, tank is a standard 4' 120. A few of my favorites might have some problems:

Yellow assessor , A flavissimus,( I had one for years and loved it) Is this in too much of the same niche that it will lead to problems?

Orchid Dottyback, P.fridmani: Never had one but I think they are stunning. Too aggressive for the wrasses? If this doesn't work, would a black capped basslet be a possible substitute? I had a royal Gramma once and he was aggressive but only in his small territory.

Nemateleotris, firefish Again, never kept one but I like them. Are they too shy for this stocking list?

These are the ones that I really like that I am most unsure about. I am open to any advice or suggestions!

Thanks again wrasse lovers, you have me so fired up!

 

[eatbreakfast]

Yellow assessor , A flavissimus,( I had one for years and loved it) Is this in too much of the same niche that it will lead to problems?

Orchid Dottyback, P.fridmani: Never had one but I think they are stunning. Too aggressive for the wrasses? If this doesn't work, would a black capped basslet be a possible substitute? I had a royal Gramma once and he was aggressive but only in his small territory.

Nemateleotris, firefish Again, never kept one but I like them. Are they too shy for this stocking list?

These are the ones that I really like that I am most unsure about. I am open to any advice or suggestions!

Thanks again wrasse lovers, you have me so fired up!

The Assesor and Firefish should be fine with fairy and flasher wrasses, I have kept them in the past with wrasses with no problem, and I always have firefish with them and they do just fine. I would recomend adding the assesor and firefish before the wrasses though.

The orchid dottyback is one of the more peaceful dottybacks and usually behave themselves with wrasses, just add the wrasses before the dottyback.
If you decide to go for the gramma instead, I have also had success keeping them with wrasses without issue so you should be fine there as well.

 

[hogfanreefer]

I have both a fire fish (N. magnifica) and a Royal Gramma with my wrasse without problem. The fire fish is shy and should be first in as noted above. The gramma will occasionally do his open mouth display but only right in front of his hidey hole.

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

Awesome feedback, thanks.
One of my other favorites is a Randall goby. I had one paired with a shrimp for a long time, will not be getting a shrimp this time.

Here are some others I see that could be part of this community, let me know if you see any problems or have any suggestions.

Rainford goby, Had one, enjoyed it
Clown goby, perhaps the green or black-- Never had one
Barnacle or tailspot blenny, never kept a blenny other than a PIA LMB
Mandarin? never had one, don't really love them but my wife likes them.

Any problems that you see? Any other suggestions to add some variety?

Thanks again for all the help.

Back to drilling I go, sure does take a while!

 

[hogfanreefer]

Wow, I also have a Randall's goby as well as a Yasha's (both with pistol shrimp) and they do fine with my 9 wrasse (including 3 Halichoeres).

If you want a mandarin, stay away from Halichoeres. My 3 make sure copepods don't last long in my tank. Fuge is crawling with them but hardly ever see anything but really scared amphipods in my DT.

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

Hmm.... I had not considered the Halichoeres. It is getting harder to choose...

 

[hogfanreefer]

This is my Vrolik's wrasse. He's a little bigger than this pic now.

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

That's is a beautiful fish! What are the other 2 Halichoeres you have? And how big is that Vroliks?