Trio of Fairy Wrasses

[deweyhowell]

Is it better to get a trio of the same type of fairy wrasse (1 male, 2 females) or 1 each of 3 different varieties?

Just wondering about differences in coloration, behavior, aggression in the 2 scenarios.

This will be for a 180 gal tank with suitable aquascaping and tank mates.

 

[Deinonych]

Best to get 3 males of different species. Females of the same species are more likely to turn male in captivity, resulting in bullying and possibly death.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

I vote for 3 different species males. This gives you great variety of fish species. Thankfully the wrasses allow us to mix. Have you read this thread yet? If not, it's a great read.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1973892

 

[WayneL333]

I have had a trio of Earlie's for a pretty long time. It's been my experience that Earlie's don't show aggression towards other fairy's like some others do. I have a pretty large tank 300+g though.

 

[sde1500]

Piggy backing this thread as I have a similar question. I'd like to do two wrasses, different species. Any issues mixing a flasher and a fairy wrasse in the same tank? Going to be a 65 gallon tank. Thanks!

 

[microlady]

Watch out with some species. C. rubriventralis is pretty aggressive, and so are others. Add them at the same time.

 

[Duke4life]

I have 3 fairies and a flasher in a 125. All have yet to transition with the flasher being the most interesting to watch as he swims around flashing all 3 and 2 firefish. Always research as some a little more aggressive than others.

 

[nuxx]

Best to get 3 males of different species. Females of the same species are more likely to turn male in captivity, resulting in bullying and possibly death.

Always had pretty good luck with two females of the same species... although I have a feeling our female Flame is turning male :sad2:

 

[Dayson]

I have 6 different wrasses in my 180g with no problems.

 

[eatbreakfast]

In most cases getting different species is best, as stated before most females turn to males and there can be aggression issues toward consexuals.

For sure there are some species that can be more aggressive toward close relatives. Research and a social acclimation box can go a long way to preserving new fish.

 

[kennytze]

I have three super male fairy wrasses in a 180 gallon tank. I put a Lineatus and a Labouti in a couple of months ago. They got along from the start and still do. I added a Scott's Australian a week ago and all hell broke loose. The Lineatus chased the Scott's for the first two days and then I thought the Scott's was going to kill the Lineatus for the next two days. Now, after five days all three get along great. Go figure!

 

[hogfanreefer]

4 fairy, 2 flasher, 1 leopard and 1 halichoeres in a 72x24 tank. I'm not through yet. At least two more flashers eventually.

 

[childress5tyler]

What did you end up choosing?

 

[scooter31707]

As stated above, I would go with 3 different males.

 

[Optionman]

1 red coris
1 green coris
1 red headed solar fairy
1 6 line
1 mystery

 

[scooter31707]

1 red coris
1 green coris
1 red headed solar fairy
1 6 line
1 mystery

You have to be specific about red coris. The red coris I am thinking about gets big and very aggressive and would probably kill all the other ones you listed. 6-Line can be hit or miss with their aggression.

 

[Optionman]

You have to be specific about red coris. The red coris I am thinking about gets big and very aggressive and would probably kill all the other ones you listed. 6-Line can be hit or miss with their aggression.

It's a juvenile red coris. I know not totally reef safe but had an adult in another reef 20yrs ago and it's my favorite. He is friendly with everyone but likes flipping rocks and unattached corals. Price I pay to put up with his beauty.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[scooter31707]

It's a juvenile red coris. I know not totally reef safe but had an adult in another reef 20yrs ago and it's my favorite. He is friendly with everyone but likes flipping rocks and unattached corals. Price I pay to put up with his beauty.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

At this time was he in there with other wrasses?

 

[Optionman]

in my 90 gal reef from 20 yrs ago the red adult coris was the only wrasse if that was your question.

my current reef (150 gal + 25 gal sump) has the 5 wrasses listed above and they seem to be fine with one another so far. its fun to watch the last 5 minutes before the lights go off...the red coris buries himself first, then the green one goes underground, and then the red headed fairy wrasse dives beneath a large green cabbage coral as the lights go out. the 6 line and mystery wrasses dont seem to sleep beneath the sand like the other 3.

 

[hogfanreefer]

Fairy wrasse don't sleep in the sand. Are you sure the red head isn't a Halichoeres rubricephalus?

https://www.bluezooaquatics.com/productDetail.asp?did=1&pid=9539&cid=290