Wrasse to eat bugs

apuhl20

New member
I am looking into a wrasse for my new 180 mixed reef. Is there a specific type that is good at eating sps bugs, flatworms, redbugs, etc? Also, it will be a barebottom tank so I know that eliminates some. So the specifications for it would be:

1-- eats damaging bugs
2-- is reef safe
3-- can live in barebottom
 
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I have a six-line and does fine in my barebottom 180. Rumor has it that they eat sps pests. I have not witnessed it myself, although I haven't seen a flatworm on my acros in a while. I did have a small population of aefw that I kept in check by basting and siphoning.
 
anampase wrasse, leopard wrasse, yellow coris......" dragon pipefish" for sixline wrasse don't like this fish temper tend to be really mean fish towards to other tank mate, he killed my fairy wrasse ended up loosing one of my favorite fish in my tank. i had to removed this fish out in my tank because his next victim was my neon goby as well my mandarin didn't like this attitude of this evil wrasse they say it's peaceful but i don't think so, my tank is 110g big enough for space but this wrasse turn to be a really evil fish in his tank mate.
 
I would say interceptor would be the key if you do not have precious inverts,I have full tank of wrasses but IMO they did not really concentrate on the bugs,also heard dragon pipefish love red bugs,not sure about FW though.
 
I have a Vrolik's wrasse in my 180 bare bottom sps reef. This guy is similar to a Melanarus wrasse. He is constantly hunting and picking at my rock. He seems to have no problem w/ the bare bottom tank. I am sure he would be happy to pick off any nasties that you may have in your tank. I had a few of those red/brown flatworms in my tank from time to time, but I haven't seen one since I put him in. He has been in my tank for over 6 months and he has grown and is fat and happy. He also eats flake, mysis and even nori. He is also a nice looking fish, very active and fun to watch as he hunts.

Also, he is not a jumper either.

Hope this helps.

Herb
 
I would second the six line being a bit of an a-hole. Particularly towards fish added after the six line. I hear four lines aren't much better. I have a canary/yellow coris (not an actual coris), bannana wrasse. Some say they like to dive in the substrate, I have never seen mine do this. I can't speak to aefw, but my canary wrasse has wiped out a pyram snail problem I had with my clams. Sure is nice not pulling the clams every 2wks to clean the eggs and snails off the feet of my clams. I was never able to rid the tank of pyrams until I added the canary wrasse.
 
I also have a pyram snails infestation and I read that secretive wrasse will get them. I also read that they will also eat flatworms (info at saltwaterfish.com). I now can keep clams since I got a secretive wrasse but not sure about flatworms. My wrasse is an arse towards new fish as well. I think the secretive wrasse and the sixline belong to the same genus.
 
Ok, first my spiel, not widely-shared in public but heavily shared privately (most people like to avoid the flames, and I'll probably get flamed here by people. Like everything else, people like to justify what they have done.) Beware of Interceptor. I am with the large crowd that sees no thread of redbugs, but Interceptor has a high frequency of being followed by AEFW in massive attack. There is something, IMHO, that Interceptor kills that keeps AEFW in check. That's my .02. Read, read, read before considering using the stuff. And read on AEFW because 95% of those who have had trouble had recently done Interceptor to kill redbugs, though not a soul has seen redbugs actually kill anything. Since it was not your original question, I'll not reply to the inevitable harsh words that will follow ... but since someone advised you to use the stuff I'd like to save you the pain.

I think you are taking the right approach to looking into wrasses. A 6-line is NOT and never has been a good option for controlling sps pests, though for some crazy reason it always appears in such threads. They are aggressive, will kill new additions in the wrasse family down the road, and serve no utilitarian role in a tank -- the only reason to have one is if you find it aesthetically pleasing. But make it the last wrasse addition and ideally the last addition, period.

The Radiant Wrasse (Halichoeres Iridis) is far and away the most reliable attacker of montipora-eating nudibranchs. My view is, if you plan to have montis, you must have a radiant wrasse. And, it is a gorgeous fish.

The Halichoeres Cosmetus (aka Cosmetus, Adorned or Orange-Striped Wrasse) eats AEFW. I know. I did Interceptor then had AEFW almost wipe out all of my acroporas. Since adding the Cosmetus, corals are recovering quickly and zero evidence of further damage anywhere. I got the Cosmetus after reading multiple other reports. Trick is, make sure you are getting a Cosmetus and not a Claudia or a Melanarus. There are clear markings on the Cosmetus, but stores big and small and distributors often confuse these three. The others will control some of these pests as well, but only the Cosmetus clearly eats AEFW off of the corals.
 
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I would prefer to do things the natural way, adding fish that eat pests, versus adding any chemicals. I have tons of montipora, but have not had any problems as of yet. I was hoping to find one wrasse that would manage most of the problems, but maybe a couple will be needed.

Ostrow-- are the wrasses you mentioned reef safe? It seems like alot of the ones that pick at bugs state to 'add with caution'.
 
I currently have a couple feather dusters, and a bunch of shrimp, including harlequin to keep the asterina starfish under control. How do these guys do with them?
 
I currently have a couple feather dusters, and a bunch of shrimp, including harlequin to keep the asterina starfish under control. How do these guys do with them?

I have millions of the small dusters. No experience but based on this I'd assume the big ones would be fine. Never had problems with radiants and cleaner or pepp shrimp. Ditto solarensis, lubbock's wrasses. i suppose you could find individuals that are rogue (incl that don't eat the pests) but radianta are truly safe. Cosmetus will be if both med sz or smaller and shrimp there first. I wouldn't hesitate at all.

BTW if you feed tank heavily candy/dancing shrimp also may control AEFW.
 
so what wrasse can i put together with the mystery to kill bugs?

I've never heard of a mystery wrasse controlling these bugs. But you can pair one with any of the ones I've mentioned. But, again, it depends on what bugs you wish to control.
 
I've never heard of a mystery wrasse controlling these bugs. But you can pair one with any of the ones I've mentioned. But, again, it depends on what bugs you wish to control.

mystery is semi aggressive , any suggestion ?
 
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