Which Cirrhilabrus can I keep together?

[carb850]

I like many of the Cirrhilabrus Genus of reef safe wrasse's and I wondered if they were all okay to keep together? Also, I read some were that this group does not need sand to burrow in, is that correct?

Thanks.

 

[snorvich]

None of these burrow in the sand, they all cocoon. I would avoid the highly aggressive ones e.g. Scotts, Roseafaciata, etc. in a tank your size. Other than that, try not to get ones that look similar, that is similar size and body shape. Be sure and socially acclimate using a breeder cup as well as physically acclimate.

 

[carb850]

Is the Scott's really that aggressive? Fosters and Smith has it labled as a peaceful fish.

Ones I was interested in (not all together) include the Scott's, Orange-Back, Labouts, and Velvet Multicolor.

 

[wrasseguy2]

it is really that aggressive they have all of the fairys labled as peacful...the scotts and the multicolor are two of the most aggessive fairys..along with a few others but those two are mean...i traded both away after getting them..that velvet took out quite a few fish

 

[carb850]

That blows. Seems like I talk myself out of every fish I find. Maybe I could do more aggressive fish such as a couple that are mentioned above then also a Purple Tang and a pair of Maroon Clowns.

The Cirrhilabrus are invert safe, right?

 

[wrasseguy2]

they are but the think about the Scott's they just don't get along with any other fairys..and also you need to keep in mnd they will fade alot...they lose that really pretty green/blue color without femlaes..the velvet fades alot too

 

[z's_N_p's]

I'm gonna tag along here...

can you guys list who on the totem pole are the most aggressive fairies up to the most peaceful? I'm sure this will help a lot of people for future reference..

Thanks in advance...

 

[snorvich]

Adornatus - peaceful
Bathyphilus - peaceful
Earlei - peaceful but unavailable
Johnsoni - mildly aggressive, normally unavailable
Jordani - aggressive
Katherinae - peaceful
Laboutei - mildly aggressive
Lineatus - mildly aggressive
Pylei - peaceful
Rhomboidalis - peaceful
Rosefascia - very aggressive, removed
Scottorum - very aggressive, removed
Pintail - mildly aggressive, normally unavailable

but I can only speak to the ones I have.

 

[wrasseguy2]

these are the ones that i have kept
exquisitus-peacful
adornatus - peaceful
aurantidorsalis-peaceful
rosefascia - very aggressive i removed it
scottorum - very aggressive i removed it
filamentosus- very aggrssive i removed it
balteatus- peaceful
condei- mildly aggressive
cyanopleura- mildly aggressive
flavidorsalis- peaceful
laboutei- mildly aggressive
lineatus- mildly aggressive..female was nasty
lubbocki- peaceful
luteovittatus- very aggressive i removed it
punctatus- very aggressive had three..one of them was very peaceful
rubripinnis-mildly aggressive
rubrisquamis- very peaceful
rubriventralis-mildly aggressive
solorensis-mildly aggressive
temminckii -peaceful
tonozukai-very aggressive i removed it

 

[carb850]

Great info guys, I didn't think about losing the colors. It this common to all of them or just a select few? How often do you see pairs available? Is there the same worry about members of a group changing sex like with the Anthias?

 

[snorvich]

"The Blue Group" loses the most coloration, the "Red Group" the least. Females are difficult to find because they are less frequently collected due to their lesser coloration. They are, by the way, usually more aggressive than the males.

It seems that wrasseguy has had similar experiences as I. Some of the ones he found to be aggressive I skipped because I had heard they were terrors.

 

[LargeAngels]

I'll just add a few observations to snorvich and wrassguy2's.

C. balteatus - peaceful, but male aggresive to females
C. rosefacia - peacefull (YES, may pair is very peaceful) Male flame and male rosefacia actually hide and sleep in the same area. BUT, from what I have read this is the exception with these.
C. rubrimarginatus - Can be aggressive
C. scottorum - Wish I never bought it.

 

[Apercula]

Would you recommend I try to find a female (or 2) solarensis to go with my male, a totally different fairy, or just stick with him and add a nonwrasse if/when space is available?
At the moment Im not planning to add any more fish, but I have a couple candidates for removal.

 

[cwoods8]

Once i trade my flame wrasse pair, I will go open top w/ the rosefascia. And if he decides to go explore the living room in depth, i won't stop him. As a matter of fact, i'll leave him alone for awhile......let him get acquainted with my dogs!
(mean SOB!)

 

[wrasseguy2]

why not catch him and trade him away cwoods??

 

[LargeAngels]

cwoods8: Before you let him explore your floor PM me.

 

[RBCJay]

It just goes to show that it is really difficult to classify a fishes personality until it is in your tank. There are some known suspects, but others can be completely opposite in your system.

In my case- Roseafascia is a sweetheart he follows me around and never makes a move at anyone else.

Balteatus- the meanest fish I have ever had, I think it must be some kind some kind of hybrid between wrasse and undulated triggerfish

A few days ago I didn't see him for a few hours after the lights came on and it is the first time that I was sort of hoping that....
So, you never know.
Jay

 

[snorvich]

Well there is some truth to the fact that fish will display a personality based on what is around them: size of tank, nearby neighbors, places to hide, etc.

 

[wrasseguy2]

i agree that every fish is different..i had a scotts once that was the biggest wuss out there..but the other two i tried were just nasty..i have always heard that solorensis is nasty too...both of the ones i kept were not too bad..but i think the size of our tanks..other fish in there can play a big part..i have kept a lubbcoks that was nasty too..so i am sure every fish can be aggressive..but some are known to be more aggressive than others