wrasse question

[Jasontkd]

hey all. getting a 40 gallon breeder built custom by all-glass (reef ready) anyhow, in my 29 gallon (current tank) I have 2 clown fish. when I upgrade to the 40 i was thinking of getting a mccosker flasher wrasse or filamented flasher wrasse.

2 questions though:

First, I have heard they are best kept with 2 or more females. Is adding 3 wrasses too much for this tank and if so what do you suggest.

Second, I hear wrasses are jumpers. I don't have a canopy and i don't want a glass cover on the tank for heat and light reasons. what can be done to help keep them from jumping out?

 

[moflow]

I used to have a carpenter's wrasse (very similar to mccosker) with a blue flasher - both males. They were fine without females. I think the fairy wrasse tend to lose color more without females although I have no direct experience with them.

Wrasse will jump eventually. If you keep one without covering your tank, you will come home to find wrasse jerky one day.

 

[usefulidiot213]

Just need to cover your tank with that plastic egg crate stuff you get from the lighting department at Home Depot... It's cheap and easy. It keeps those fish in the water for you...

 

[snorvich]

Flasher wrasses do fine without a female but you will get magnificent displays of nuptial colors if you have at least one female with a male.

Eggcrate will NOT keep flasher wrasses in the tank and they WILL jump. Not IF but WHEN.

 

[JStorey]

Agree with snorvich. I use 1/4 inch mesh pond netting in a window screen frame. Keeps the jumpers in and doesn't block air or light.

 

[snorvich]

Yes, that is excellent.

 

[Jasontkd]

where do you get the netting? I searched RC for screen tops, and found a build where someone found some clear netting and built a screen. However, they never linked exactly what they used. anyone know where to get clear netting?

 

[snorvich]

It is used to cover ponds. If you have a water feature landscaper around they would sell it. Plastic screen also works. Just be sure it is 1/4 inch mesh.