Tell Me About Possum Wrasses

[Fretfreak13]

I've been eyeing them in the DD, they've been up for a few days. Anyone have any experience with them? LA claims they're reef-safe, but I've never heard of these wrasses before. Think one would be suitable in an established 29g with a couple clowns, a jawfish, and a mandarin? Or are they pod eaters like the six-line. No competition wanted. lol

 

[snorvich]

Well your pair of clowns, once mature will harass any fish added to that tank, so no, I do not recommend adding a possum wrasse.

 

[32mm32]

I have been looking at these too. Have not purchased one yet cause i cant find any info on them and i have a small tank...

 

[albano]

in a reef tank you will RARELY see it...they hide in rockwork 99% of the time...I've had him for 5 years, no problem, but only catch a glimpse of him every few days!

 

[Fretfreak13]

Well your pair of clowns, once mature will harass any fish added to that tank, so no, I do not recommend adding a possum wrasse.

Lots of people keep clowns with other fish. I haven't heard of that to be a reason not to add another fish. I don't mean to be argumentative, but do you have a story to share?

in a reef tank you will RARELY see it...they hide in rockwork 99% of the time...I've had him for 5 years, no problem, but only catch a glimpse of him every few days!

You've never seen it go after anything, like ornamental shrimp, clams, or corals have you? What size tank is yours in? What other tank mates?

 

[Bret61081]

Ive had one in my 95g reef for over 3 years. Didnt see it much at first now its out all the time. Great little fish. I have a very aggressive pair of GM clowns but they pay no attention to it so dont let having clowns turn you away from them. Great little fish with lots of personality!

 

[albano]

You've never seen it go after anything, like ornamental shrimp, clams, or corals have you? What size tank is yours in? What other tank mates?

No problem, with anything...
450g tank filled with 10 clams, many shrimp (coral banded, peppermint, blood) SPS LPS, softies, leathers, zoas, and over 60 fish...
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[BFG]

Bought a trio, a pair was sold in the same bag and 1 I caught in the lfs tank. Acclimatised and released them in my 120g. The odd 1 was harassed for a few week by the pair and it disappear. The pair though swims together side by side on occasion and no aggression was seen between them. Fed them exclusively with mysis.

 

[Stumped]

Lots of people keep clowns with other fish. I haven't heard of that to be a reason not to add another fish. I don't mean to be argumentative, but do you have a story to share?

You've never seen it go after anything, like ornamental shrimp, clams, or corals have you? What size tank is yours in? What other tank mates?

I had one for a while before it got stuck to a Vortech and ended up dying. I found it to be a very, very, very, very passive fish and rather reclusive. Easily the most passive fish I've seen. I think that is what snorvich was alluding to in his comment. A mature pair of clowns in a small tank can show a lot of aggression and possum wrasses are very timid/passive. Not a great mix.

Mine ate pods like crazy and was constantly hunting for them in the rock work. He was housed with a Helfrich's firefish, a Midas blenny and a small goby so competition wasn't an issue. If you want to try it, just keep an eye out for any sort of harassment from your other fish.

 

[snorvich]

Lots of people keep clowns with other fish. I haven't heard of that to be a reason not to add another fish. I don't mean to be argumentative, but do you have a story to share?

You asked for advice. You have a small tank. A pair of clownfish, once mature, will claim about a 25 gallon tank space and will be very aggressive towards other fish. The fish you are asking about is very cryptic, very passive, and will not do well with clowns, especially in a small tank. Many people also regret having that pair of clowns in a tank of a size that precludes other fish. But, hey, go for it.

 

[RealReef7]

From experience I can say they are cool fish... but they do hide ALOT. You might want to have a steady population of pods as it might get startled at first from the clowns as they are pretty aggressive feeders.

 

[Fretfreak13]

I meant I didn't want it to be competition for the mandarin, but if they do go after pods as a staple, I guess I'll have to pass on this fish. I've been searching for a very long time for a mandarin that is already trained onto frozen food, and I will not purchase one until I have seen it eat prepaired food with my own eyes. I will definely consider the possum wrasse when I upgrade, eventually.

Thanks for the advise, everyone.

 

[Korrine]

You asked for advice. You have a small tank. A pair of clownfish, once mature, will claim about a 25 gallon tank space and will be very aggressive towards other fish. The fish you are asking about is very cryptic, very passive, and will not do well with clowns, especially in a small tank. Many people also regret having that pair of clowns in a tank of a size that precludes other fish. But, hey, go for it.

I totally agree with him! I'm not even adding a clown, let alone a pair, to my soon to be 75g tank. Plus, I don't wish to be bit every time I stick my hand in the tank!!! Do a search about clown fish and aggression. These clowns are best in a tank they can truly call their own.

 

[snorvich]

Yes, Korrine, and if you are a diver, you will have had them try to take out your eyes through your mask. Still, a species tank with clownfish and a fancy carpet anemone is a gorgeous tank. Adding other fish to that becomes potentially problematical.

 

[Korrine]

Yes, Korrine, and if you are a diver, you will have had them try to take out your eyes through your mask.

A photo of that would be awesome :lmao:

I have gone diving before, just not in the ocean.

 

[small alien]

You asked for advice. You have a small tank. A pair of clownfish, once mature, will claim about a 25 gallon tank space and will be very aggressive towards other fish. The fish you are asking about is very cryptic, very passive, and will not do well with clowns, especially in a small tank. Many people also regret having that pair of clowns in a tank of a size that precludes other fish. But, hey, go for it.

Steve doesn't like to talk about it but his Uncle Louis used to live next door to a pair of spawning pink skunks and it didn't end well.

 

[palmer373]

no personal experience but a freind rocmmends possom wrasses for reef tanks, specifically SPS dominated, because he says they will help with controlling the population of either red bugs, flat worms, or bristle worms, might be forgetting one tho. either way he recommends them in reef tanks. all of his fish in his 180g SPS (cept for maybe 2 show fishes) are for helping his corals thive by eating parasites and his tank shows so im trusting him. havent done muchb research tho.

thought i might add that to help ^^

 

[small alien]

Mine was so cryptic I hardly ever saw it except at feeding time, even in a 20 gallon. Ver peaceful tank. It was not bullied. I believe they are cave dwellers in nature.

Even though I'm often tempted by the various Wetmorella spp. offered on DD, I remind myself that a fish I never see isn't that great, no matter how cool.

 

[snorvich]

Mine was so cryptic I hardly ever saw it except at feeding time, even in a 20 gallon. Ver peaceful tank. It was not bullied. I believe they are cave dwellers in nature.

Even though I'm often tempted by the various Wetmorella spp. offered on DD, I remind myself that a fish I never see isn't that great, no matter how cool.

Well, I would not say "never". With no aggressive tankmates, I see mine 4-5 times per week, but that particular fish tank is in the kitchen so there is a lot of viewing time. But they are definitely cryptic.

 

[blennielove]

I've had a possum wrasse in a "peaceful" 55 gallon with a Christmas wrasse, pair of Auraro gobies, a orange spotted blennie, and a tiger wardi goby. He was the FIRST one in the tank so it was good that he is ALWAYS out and about, but when I tried to move my Lubbocks wrasse in there, the Lubbock turned on him and terrorized him until he was hiding most of the time. I moved the Lubbock's back out.
I would say that they are shy but if placed in an appropriate setting and being one of the first fishes in to acclimate and establish himself, he is a wonderful fish.