Wrasse dominant tank stocking

[CZwicky]

Hello all. Here is a list of stock options for my currently cycling 65g reef.
Please let me know what you think would work best and how/why. Also if u have any suggestions not on the list feel free to chime in

Wrasses(not all of these)
-Radiant Wrasse(H. Iridis)
-Red Line Wrasse (H. Biocellatus)
-Yellow Wrasse (H. Chrysus)
-Orange Back Fairy Wrasse(C. Aurantidorsalis)
-Leopard Wrasse (Bipartis,Meleagris, or both)
-Red Head Solon Wrasse(C. Solorensis)
-Mckoskers Flasher Wrasse(P. Mccoskeri)

I have also considered
Linetus wrasse
H. Melunarus


The only other fish I was considering for this tank are
-2x Onyx Clowns
-Flame Angel
-Midas/Starry Blenny
-Splendid Dottyback

Let me know what you think everyone! Thanks.

 

[guidedbyechoes]

Hello all. Here is a list of stock options for my currently cycling 65g reef.
Please let me know what you think would work best and how/why. Also if u have any suggestions not on the list feel free to chime in

Wrasses(not all of these)
-Radiant Wrasse(H. Iridis)
-Red Line Wrasse (H. Biocellatus)
-Yellow Wrasse (H. Chrysus)
-Orange Back Fairy Wrasse(C. Aurantidorsalis)
-Leopard Wrasse (Bipartis,Meleagris, or both)
-Red Head Solon Wrasse(C. Solorensis)
-Mckoskers Flasher Wrasse(P. Mccoskeri)

I have also considered
Linetus wrasse
H. Melunarus


The only other fish I was considering for this tank are
-2x Onyx Clowns
-Flame Angel
-Midas/Starry Blenny
-Splendid Dottyback

Let me know what you think everyone! Thanks.

I'm not sure on your level of fishkeeping but the leopards are usually hard to feed on non live foods. The tank is a little bit under the recommended size for the salons as well. I've had a malurnarus before and he was one of my favorite fish. He hated waking up in the morning but he ran full bore for most of the day after he did. If you go Halichoeres it is imperative to have a soft sand bottom of 2 inches or more since they sleep in the sand.

I also loved my midas blenny he looked like a cartoon character, liked to hang out on the highest peak of the rock work and only left it to retreat to his cave.

dottybacks on the other hand seem to be one of the least liked fish on these forums. Temperaments will vary from species to species and fish to fish but I have never hated a fish before. Ridiculously aggressive for its size and it liked to hide in the power heads every time I turned one off.

I would pick 2 wrasse from the list max and weigh the risks on the angel if you plan on adding coral as well.


Also make sure you do a full one month quarantine for each fish. That is a full month after they look healthy.

 

[eatbreakfast]

You can do all of the fish on your list. Halichoeres wrasses are usually fine together. An established one may take exception to newcomers but if you add them as close as possible it should be fine.

All wrasses are excellent jumpers so the tank needs to be completely covered.

They also benefit from multiple feedings throughout the day.

 

[CZwicky]

So this is what I've come up with at this point

-Melunarus Wrasse
-Radiant Wrasse
-Orange back Fairy Wrasse
-Leopard/Mckoskers Wrasse
-Midas Blenny
-Falco Dwarf Hawkfish
and possibly a pair of clowns. What do you all think?

 

[guidedbyechoes]

So this is what I've come up with at this point

-Melunarus Wrasse
-Radiant Wrasse
-Orange back Fairy Wrasse
-Leopard/Mckoskers Wrasse
-Midas Blenny
-Falco Dwarf Hawkfish
and possibly a pair of clowns. What do you all think?

I think its far too many. I had five total in my 55 and the 65 doesn't add much more space and the Melunarus took up most of it.

 

[triggreef]

A little heavy but certainly doable. You picked all wrasses that stay somewhat small so thats good. I would get the leopards in first as they do better without getting a hazing. But they also need a well established tank to hunt pods and such. A refugium will help with keeping organisms in the display for them to find. Could probably add the fairy/flashers first for your first 6 months or so before trying a leopard. Then the H. family last.

 

[CZwicky]

So everything but the clowns would work fine?

 

[eatbreakfast]

Even with the clowns you should be fine.

 

[CZwicky]

Ok awesome. The clowns will probably be last with a blue or red carpet so that will be decided later. Thanks for the help everyone.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Be careful with adding a carpet anemone. They are extremely predatory, with a very potant sting and really "sticky" tentacles. If a scared fish darts towards it, the fish gets eaten. Carpets get really big and walk a lot.

 

[evolved]

^ +1

Carpets and wrasses do not belong in the same tank.

 

[CZwicky]

Noted. Any anemones ok or should I avoid them all?

 

[small alien]

Try an rbta.

 

[small alien]

You can do all of the fish on your list. Halichoeres wrasses are usually fine together. An established one may take exception to newcomers but if you add them as close as possible it should be fine.

All wrasses are excellent jumpers so the tank needs to be completely covered.

Good advice about the top.

I hope you don't mean he could add every fish on the first list. That would be way to much. It's only a 65.

 

[small alien]

I'm not sure on your level of fishkeeping but the leopards are usually hard to feed on non live foods.

Lots of good advice in this post but I think this idea about leopards is distinctly overblown. If you get a healthy one, they're not a difficult fish and tend to take prepared foods readily.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Good advice about the top.

I hope you don't mean he could add every fish on the first list. That would be way to much. It's only a 65.

6-8 fish in a 65 shouldn't be too many fish, unless he really neglects his tank.

 

[Marshall O]

6-8 fish in a 65 shouldn't be too many fish, unless he really neglects his tank.

Agreed, but his original total list had 14 fish on it, so I can see where the confusion came from:

-Radiant Wrasse(H. Iridis)
-Red Line Wrasse (H. Biocellatus)
-Yellow Wrasse (H. Chrysus)
-Orange Back Fairy Wrasse(C. Aurantidorsalis)
-Leopard Wrasse (Bipartis,Meleagris, or both)
-Red Head Solon Wrasse(C. Solorensis)
-Mckoskers Flasher Wrasse(P. Mccoskeri)
-Linetus wrasse
-H. Melunarus
-2x Onyx Clowns
-Flame Angel
-Midas/Starry Blenny
-Splendid Dottyback