Wrasses: Stocking a 220

[HaleMoana]

I'm stocking my 220 and have a few questions about wrasses and hoping someone smarter than me will chime in.

I am looking to add a Lineatus male. If I get a Super Male, will he maintain coloration without a female? Can I just get a lone male (not super) and wait for him to mature into a Super Male? Even without a female?

So far, tank already has:
Trio of Hawaiian Flames (Jordani's)
Pair of Carpenter Flashers
Trio of Helfrichi's

On my list after the Lineatus:
Rhomboid

Thanks for any help. I'm looking for the best options of maintaining superior coloration of these beautiful wrasses.

 

[evolved]

He'll mostly maintain color without a female. Not all, but enough. To note, female lineatus have been known to be a bit aggressive.

With other wrasses present, a sub-male will continue to transition, yes.

In the end, you'd likely end up with about an equivalent looking male, either direction you could go.

 

[HaleMoana]

Thanks evolved. I hoped you might reply.

At what point do I have too many wrasse's? In other words, is it OK to have 4 or more species in this size tank? Plenty of rockwork with plenty of hiding spots.
And is there a rule of thumb for flashers vs fairy's?

 

[evolved]

Too many wrasses? Oh you'd have to work to achieve that. Mix the right species, and you can have a whole lot, especially in a tank of this size.

In my 190, I have 10 different species of three different genera. 3 of those are in pairs too.

As for fairys vs. flashers, no real rule of thumb there. Flashers are much more passive, so any very dominant species of fairys may stress flashers an undue amount. However, none of the fairys you've mentioned at this point would qualify for that disclaimer.

 

[sponger0]

What species of fairy's would be more of the aggressive or dominant ones?

 

[HaleMoana]

Great information. Thanks for the feedback.
Is there any order in which I should be introducing the fairy's?

My next three are most likely going to be the Lineatus, Rhomboid, and Labouti (not necessarily in that order). Might mix in an attenuatus flasher too.

Aside from trying to get the flasher in first, do I need to worry about how I introduce the fairy's? I have an acclimation box (Reef Gently AccliMate) that I use to segregate them for a couple days until the inhabitants lose interest before releasing them.

 

[evolved]

Stocking order with the fairys isn't super critical unless you've got some of the more aggressive ones in the bunch, then those should be last. That being said, Labouti's can get aggressive as they mature and become established in a system.

If you happen to find a P. attenuatus, please let me know. I'll pay you double for it.
With sincerity, that is a very rare and hard to obtain species.

An acclimation box is absolutely the best way to introduce them; seems you're covered there.

And before I start regurgitating any more information, I may as well direct you to my own article here: http://www.3reef.com/forums/tropical-fish/all-about-reef-safe-wrasses-122261.html

 

[HaleMoana]

If you happen to find a P. attenuatus, please let me know. I'll pay you double for it.
With sincerity, that is a very rare and hard to obtain species.

lol.... I know. That's why I said "might." I'd love to get any flashers in before the fairy's but availability of the attenuatus is going to dictate that. Might be wishful thinking or overly optimistic, but keeping fingers crossed.

Thanks. As always very informative and helpful. I will read your article tonight. Thanks for sharing.

 

[evolved]

I've been looking for an attenuatus for about 2 years now...

 

[HaleMoana]

I'll race ya when one shows up on DD. lol