flfireman1
Wrasse aficionado
Ive got a couple of wrasses I wanted to share with everyone. These are some of my favorite fish and are all reef safe.
First one is probably my favorite, dusky wrasse. (Halichoeres marginatus) This fish is extremely active always exploring every crevice in the rock work. It also has a very distinctive swimming style. Almost worm like and elegant. Unlike the more common yellow coris wrasse that is almost stiff like in its swimming style. (Hope that makes sense)
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The other great characteristic of this fish is that it eats reef pests. I have personally seen it pull out bristle worms from the rock work. It also did a fabulous job eating flat worms when they were accidentally introduced with a coral that I purchased. Anyone who mentions adding a six line or four line wrasse to a reef for pest control has never owned a dusky wrasse. These fish do a far better job with pest control minus the devil attitude (In my experience and opinion).
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This fish is also a great tank inhabitant, very peaceful and has never attacked any newly introduced fish including other wrasses. The only time I get some slight aggression is doing feeding time where he doesnt like other wrasses in his general area when eating. This is usually just a quick chase and has never lead to any actual fighting or biting.
Live aquaria lists them as non-reef safe, or for fish only aquariums. The reason being is that they are suppossed to be invert safe with caution. At this point mine is housed with a fire shrimp, 2 cleaner shrimp, 4 peppermint shrimp, a coral banded shrimp and 3 emeral crabs and has never showed any interest in any of them. I do realize that this may change as the fish gets larger, but for now they seem fine. Besides, I like the fish more than the shrimp.
The next wrasse is a Hoevens wrasse, or Melanurus wrasse (Halichoeres melanurus) Another great wrasse for pest control.
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Again, great fish, I added him last since I had read that sometimes they may bully other wrasses. Ive had him for approx 6 months and is extremely peaceful and passive.
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I would say both fish are farely easy for even beginer aquarist and they have voracious appetites. I have never had an issue with these fish not eating. Unlike the more popular leopard wrasses that tend to be a bit troublesome to get started eating.
These last two pics are just some random fish shots of my other fish. Hope you enjoyed!!
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<a href="http://s1041.photobucket.com/albums/b420/flfireman/?action=view¤t=IMG_3956.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1041.photobucket.com/albums/b420/flfireman/IMG_3956.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
First one is probably my favorite, dusky wrasse. (Halichoeres marginatus) This fish is extremely active always exploring every crevice in the rock work. It also has a very distinctive swimming style. Almost worm like and elegant. Unlike the more common yellow coris wrasse that is almost stiff like in its swimming style. (Hope that makes sense)
<a href="http://s1041.photobucket.com/albums/b420/flfireman/?action=view¤t=IMG_3920.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1041.photobucket.com/albums/b420/flfireman/IMG_3920.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s1041.photobucket.com/albums/b420/flfireman/?action=view¤t=IMG_3923.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1041.photobucket.com/albums/b420/flfireman/IMG_3923.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
The other great characteristic of this fish is that it eats reef pests. I have personally seen it pull out bristle worms from the rock work. It also did a fabulous job eating flat worms when they were accidentally introduced with a coral that I purchased. Anyone who mentions adding a six line or four line wrasse to a reef for pest control has never owned a dusky wrasse. These fish do a far better job with pest control minus the devil attitude (In my experience and opinion).
<a href="http://s1041.photobucket.com/albums/b420/flfireman/?action=view¤t=IMG_3944.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1041.photobucket.com/albums/b420/flfireman/IMG_3944.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
This fish is also a great tank inhabitant, very peaceful and has never attacked any newly introduced fish including other wrasses. The only time I get some slight aggression is doing feeding time where he doesnt like other wrasses in his general area when eating. This is usually just a quick chase and has never lead to any actual fighting or biting.
Live aquaria lists them as non-reef safe, or for fish only aquariums. The reason being is that they are suppossed to be invert safe with caution. At this point mine is housed with a fire shrimp, 2 cleaner shrimp, 4 peppermint shrimp, a coral banded shrimp and 3 emeral crabs and has never showed any interest in any of them. I do realize that this may change as the fish gets larger, but for now they seem fine. Besides, I like the fish more than the shrimp.
The next wrasse is a Hoevens wrasse, or Melanurus wrasse (Halichoeres melanurus) Another great wrasse for pest control.
<a href="http://s1041.photobucket.com/albums/b420/flfireman/?action=view¤t=IMG_3957.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1041.photobucket.com/albums/b420/flfireman/IMG_3957.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
Again, great fish, I added him last since I had read that sometimes they may bully other wrasses. Ive had him for approx 6 months and is extremely peaceful and passive.
<a href="http://s1041.photobucket.com/albums/b420/flfireman/?action=view¤t=IMG_3947.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1041.photobucket.com/albums/b420/flfireman/IMG_3947.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
I would say both fish are farely easy for even beginer aquarist and they have voracious appetites. I have never had an issue with these fish not eating. Unlike the more popular leopard wrasses that tend to be a bit troublesome to get started eating.
These last two pics are just some random fish shots of my other fish. Hope you enjoyed!!
<a href="http://s1041.photobucket.com/albums/b420/flfireman/?action=view¤t=IMG_3952.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1041.photobucket.com/albums/b420/flfireman/IMG_3952.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
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