Thoughts on Radiant Wrasse?

[Charley Diesing]

Well I saw a Radiant Wrasse in my LFS and was immidatiely in love... After doing some research they are considered not fully reef safe...

Does anyone here have experience? What risk am I at? Are they like Dwarf angels, where it justs a case to case basis?

Currently my tank has...

Corals:

Soft corals, Zoas, and LPS.

Inverts:

Fire cleaner-shrimp, Snails, hermits, GTBA

 

[jaa1456]

It's not the corals you have to worry about but rather shrimps, hermits, clams and snails. I would pass on this fish just because of the survival rate. They are known to be poor shippers and majority have short life spans in aquariums. I know some people have had them for awhile and are able to keep them alive. But as for eating the above mentioned items every fish is different.

 

[Beach Bum 70]

Have one and love it ... Doesn't touch any corals

 

[Moort82]

Had one for years as have a few of my friends. Not noticed that they aren't anything but hardy and never seen any signs of them not being reef safe. If they do have a nip then i wouldn't expect it to be on coral but feather dusters and small hermits might be at risk but i've certainly not seen any signs of this. I also wouldn't hesitate about getting another.

 

[Charley Diesing]

Had one for years as have a few of my friends. Not noticed that they aren't anything but hardy and never seen any signs of them not being reef safe. If they do have a nip then i wouldn't expect it to be on coral but feather dusters and small hermits might be at risk but i've certainly not seen any signs of this. I also wouldn't hesitate about getting another.

Do you have shrimps? That's really what I'm worried about.

 

[chrissreef]

shrimp, snails and survival rate imo

 

[beachbreak]

I've got cleaner shrimp, a couple of scarlet hermits, snails and small urchins. Mine doesn't mess with anything other than pods. I've even added a cleaner after he was settled in and he didn't mess with the shrimp at all. Awesome fish.

 

[Dazed1]

I saw 2-3 at my LFS as well today and just loved them. Sad to hear that they are not shrimp/snail safe

 

[flfireman1]

I saw 2-3 at my LFS as well today and just loved them. Sad to hear that they are not shrimp/snail safe

I wouldnt say they are not shrimp/snail safe. I think the only time you have to worry about the wrasse bothering shrimp is if you have very small shrimp and a very large radiant wrasse.

Most of the Halichoeres species are not considered reef safe because of the possibility of them picking off a shrimp when they mature. I think this is unjust as they are awesome fish and usually get along well with most fish and other wrasses. I own 3 different Halichoeres and they have yet to bother any of my fire shrimp, cleaner shrimp, snails, emeral crabs and even peppermint shrimps.

They do however, erradicate flatworms and other pests in the aquarium.

I would not hesitate to buy it, if you find a specimen that is eating and has no damage to the mouth. They are usually aggressive eaters and hardy.

Good luck.

 

[roni]

Have one, done well for me. Eats flatworms. hasn't touched my anemone crab or cleaner shrimp. Can't vouch for small snails and hermits.

 

[albano]

have mine for over 5 years...one of the largest fish/wrasse in my tank...bothers no one...I wish he would pick on my coral banded shrimp!

 

[Charley Diesing]

I wouldnt say they are not shrimp/snail safe. I think the only time you have to worry about the wrasse bothering shrimp is if you have very small shrimp and a very large radiant wrasse.

Most of the Halichoeres species are not considered reef safe because of the possibility of them picking off a shrimp when they mature. I think this is unjust as they are awesome fish and usually get along well with most fish and other wrasses. I own 3 different Halichoeres and they have yet to bother any of my fire shrimp, cleaner shrimp, snails, emeral crabs and even peppermint shrimps.

They do however, erradicate flatworms and other pests in the aquarium.

I would not hesitate to buy it, if you find a specimen that is eating and has no damage to the mouth. They are usually aggressive eaters and hardy.

Good luck.

Thank you everyone for all the replies! I think im going to go for it. You seem very specific about the 'Mouth'. What exactly am I looking for? Some sort of disease?

 

[Dazed1]

Nice! Good to know.

do they do well with red headed salon wrasse? I have a medium sized red headed and the radiant would be my next choice.

 

[flfireman1]

Burrowing wrasses are sometimes poor shippers because they attempt to borrow themselves constantly while in the shipping bag/container. In doing so they damage themselves generally to the mouth area.

When purchasing, inspect the mouth for damage, dislocation or other obvious signs. On more than one occasion I've seen radiant wrasses with missing lower jaws and grossly dislocated mouths.

 

[beachbreak]

Burrowing wrasses are sometimes poor shippers because they attempt to borrow themselves constantly while in the shipping bag/container. In doing so they damage themselves generally to the mouth area.

When purchasing, inspect the mouth for damage, dislocation or other obvious signs. On more than one occasion I've seen radiant wrasses with missing lower jaws and grossly dislocated mouths.

Perfectly put fireman.

You'll know damage when you see it. A good key is to look for white coloration in the mouth area on an otherwise "colored" face or a dislocated jaw. Pass on ANY halichoeres that shows any form of mouth damage.

I've got 3 halichoeres (iridis, chrysus and melanurus) and they all get along great among themselves and with all of the cirrilabrus as well.

 

[Moort82]

Do you have shrimps? That's really what I'm worried about.

I don't as i have a scarlet hawkfish and i'd be more worried about that eating them. All the others i know about are kept with shrimps without problems.