Wrasses-how many are too many? Suggestions?

[gsiegel]

I have a 280g FOWLR
Currently with a blue flasher, exquisite, solorensus, and lubbocks amongst several other fish. All seems good after just adding the solorensus and lubbocks
I love the coloring of wrasses and would like a couple more "showpiece." Question is how many are too many?
Also looking for suggestions of really cool colored wrasses - do not need to be a lot of $ or rare,however a Lineatus may be on my list.

Thanks for the input!

 

[Marshall O]

There is no # to how many you can have. All depends on the other livestock, filtration, etc. I have 7 in my 125, and will likely add 1-2 more. Stay away from those known to be bullies, and you should be in good shape.

 

[cakemanPA]

Load it up with wrasses man. My favorite fishes

 

[Ptyochromis]

No exact number, it all depends on your tank setup and which species you choose.


You could try a pair/harem of Macropharyngodon bipartitus, treat its feeding like a mandarin.

 

[ingtar_shinowa]

Solarensis are bullies. I would stay away from any other wrasse in that complex

 

[gsiegel]

Thanks all.
In adding more is it a better idea to add more than 1 at a time?
My acclimation box is 13x10x7. I was thinking if I waited to find 2 or 3 on divers den and added them at once to curb aggression/serve as a distraction from already existing tankmates?

 

[Marshall O]

IME, it matters more the size of the new fish relative to the size of your existing, dominant fish. I have a terminal male C. laboutei in my 125 that is largest and dominant wrasse in the tank. Yet the last three Fairy Wrasses I added were all juveniles and completely ignored by the C. laboutei. I first added a juvi C. jordani and C. lineatus at the same time (spent 2 day in the acclimation box, but were ignored by all fish except my P. attenuatus who only showed them a little attention). I then added a juvi C. cf lanceolatus that only spent a few hours in the acclimation box (was supposed to be longer, but my P. attenuatus got into the box while feeding, and in trying to get him out, the C. cf lanceolatus got out as well!). Again, no attention at all from the much larger C. laboutei (or my terminal male C. bathyphilus for that matter). So in these cases, it made no difference whether there was one or multiple added at the same time.

So I guess my suggestion is, try and get juveniles moving forward. Not only for the reason above, but also because they are less expensive (but will almost always turn into terminal males in the presence of other terminal males), and because you will be able to enjoy them for a much longer time given their relatively short life span (you have no idea the age of a terminal male when you first get it, so no telling how long it will live in your tank).

 

[Ptyochromis]

I would say all new additions go in at the same time, this way everyone has an equal opportunity to grab territory and one fish is less likely to get singled out. You could always rearrange the tank, this can 'reset' the territories giving new fish the opportunity to grab space.

My line of reasoning comes from stocking cichlids from lake malawi (haps and mbuna). All the fish that are going to be kept go in at the same time. New additions almost always end up carpet surfing. Also the tank is cycled with liquid ammonia to avoid a mini cycle when a ton of new fish are suddenly added (of course a massive W.C. is done prior to addition).

 

[Deinonych]

IME, it matters more the size of the new fish relative to the size of your existing, dominant fish. I have a terminal male C. laboutei in my 125 that is largest and dominant wrasse in the tank. Yet the last three Fairy Wrasses I added were all juveniles and completely ignored by the C. laboutei. I first added a juvi C. jordani and C. lineatus at the same time (spent 2 day in the acclimation box, but were ignored by all fish except my P. attenuatus who only showed them a little attention). I then added a juvi C. cf lanceolatus that only spent a few hours in the acclimation box (was supposed to be longer, but my P. attenuatus got into the box while feeding, and in trying to get him out, the C. cf lanceolatus got out as well!). Again, no attention at all from the much larger C. laboutei (or my terminal male C. bathyphilus for that matter). So in these cases, it made no difference whether there was one or multiple added at the same time.

So I guess my suggestion is, try and get juveniles moving forward. Not only for the reason above, but also because they are less expensive (but will almost always turn into terminal males in the presence of other terminal males), and because you will be able to enjoy them for a much longer time given their relatively short life span (you have no idea the age of a terminal male when you first get it, so no telling how long it will live in your tank).

What is a reasonable captive lifespan to expect from Cirrhilabrus and Paracheilinus spp., assuming proper care and husbandry?

 

[Marshall O]

What is a reasonable captive lifespan to expect from Cirrhilabrus and Paracheilinus spp., assuming proper care and husbandry?

From what I have seen, 2-5 years depending on the age of the fish when you received it. Which is why I am recommending buying juveniles of course.

 

[Deinonych]

Thanks!