Wrasses

[Ambition]

As much as I've tried to ignore my fairy/flasher wrasse bug, I don't think I can any more. My 65g wasn't going to have any wrasses since the females don't like to stay females long term and I wanted pairs. So now I'm looking at my options and seriously considering P. bellae, C. johnsoni, and C. earlei pending single specimen pricing. I know PIA has a sub-male P. bellae in my price range (although at the top of it), but I'm not sure what sub-male/initial phase male C. johnsoni or C. earlei go for (been awhile since I've seen C. johnsoni other than pairs on PIA and I haven't seen much for C. earlei). Do the latter go for more or less than the P. bellae, typically?

 

[aquaph8]

Johnsoni go for around 300-350
Earlei in the 500-600 range
Someone better buy that bells before I do, if my QT didn't already have fish in it, I'd be all over that. It's one of the last fish I'm after.

 

[Ambition]

Johnsoni go for around 300-350
Earlei in the 500-600 range
Someone better buy that bells before I do, if my QT didn't already have fish in it, I'd be all over that. It's one of the last fish I'm after.

Thanks for your help!

I'm extremely tempted to, my QT is about to be empty. Kinda thinking I should just suck it up and go for the Johnsoni pair, but I can't afford that now.

 

[aquaph8]

Just get a male, the pair will turn into two males anyway.

 

[mbauma]

As much as I've tried to ignore my fairy/flasher wrasse bug, I don't think I can any more. My 65g wasn't going to have any wrasses since the females don't like to stay females long term and I wanted pairs. So now I'm looking at my options and seriously considering P. bellae, C. johnsoni, and C. earlei pending single specimen pricing. I know PIA has a sub-male P. bellae in my price range (although at the top of it), but I'm not sure what sub-male/initial phase male C. johnsoni or C. earlei go for (been awhile since I've seen C. johnsoni other than pairs on PIA and I haven't seen much for C. earlei). Do the latter go for more or less than the P. bellae, typically?

What are the common names for the ones you listed? I like wrasse and am curious what these guys are and if reef safe?

 

[eatbreakfast]

What are the common names for the ones you listed? I like wrasse and am curious what these guys are and if reef safe?

It is usually best to stick with scientific names to avoid confusion, but most of these are generic common names based on the scientific name, Bell's Flasher for P. bellae, Johnson's fairy wrasse for C. johnsoni, and Earl's fairy wrasse for C. earlei. All of these species are completely reef safe.

 

[evolved]

Johnsoni go for around 300-350
Earlei in the 500-600 range

Agree with those price brackets.
Love all three species; johnsoni is still one that's hard to beat.

Just get a male, the pair will turn into two males anyway.

+1
I have 3 males in the tank. :fun5:
Two were once spawning females.

It is usually best to stick with scientific names to avoid confusion

:thumbsup:

 

[mbauma]

They must be rare, can't find them on LA/DD. What is PIA?

 

[Ambition]

They are rare, in the sense of being rarely collected. PIA is Pacific Island Aquatics based in Hawaii. They get in a fair amount of rare fish, which they currently have a sub-male and terminal phase male P. bellae and a pair of C. johnsoni.

 

[Ambition]

Today I went in and talked to my friend (owns an LFS) about getting a C. johnsoni in. I was surprised when he said he could, it just might be a little bit since I haven't been to an LFS that stocks anything on the higher end. Most keep clowns, common wrasses, some common Centropyge, and mostly P. mccoskeri and P. cyaneus. It also turns out that they were available just a couple weeks ago.

 

[acesq]

I bought a pair of C. Johnsoni from Kevin at PIA six or eight months ago. The male's flashing display is absolutely incredible. While the female has recently transitioned to a sub-male, fortunately there is no aggression between them.

 

[evolved]

It also turns out that they were available just a couple weeks ago.

It's all a matter if someone is currently collecting; the supply here is typically not regular.

...the female has recently transitioned to a sub-male, fortunately there is no aggression between them.

I don't have anything super problematic between my three either, but a big tank with a lot going on it helps greatly. I don't think the outcome would be the same in a medium tank with less fish.

 

[Ambition]

So assuming I find a male C. johnsoni...

I'm thinking of getting two of the following: P. cyaneus, P. filamentosus, P. octotaenia, P. mccoskeri. Suggestions one which two? I know the middle two can be slight aggressive with other wrasses. I'm leading towards a cyaneus and octotaenia, but thought I would get opinions from others first.

 

[aquaph8]

I'm not sure Id mix the octotaenia in a 65. Might be OK but I'd go with two others I think.

 

[Ambition]

I was kind of thinking about that. That and I forgot to put C. bathyphilus on the list... I'm regretting not keeping my 120.

 

[evolved]

I'm not sure Id mix the octotaenia in a 65. Might be OK but I'd go with two others I think.

My thoughts exactly; I'd play to safe here.

I was kind of thinking about that. That and I forgot to put C. bathyphilus on the list... I'm regretting not keeping my 120.

A 65 is too small for such; sorry.