60g cube: Wrasse help?
- Thread starter Longnose Hawkfish
- Start date
- Tagged users None
evolved
[email protected]
Excellence Award
Reef Tank 365
Expert Contributor
Article Contributor
Moderator Emeritus
AZ FRAG Member
Hospitality Award
My Tank Thread
The problem with a 60 cube is it doesn't have much lateral swimming space. There's not many wrasse species I'd consider in a tank with less than 36" of lateral swimming space I'm afraid.
A Possum Wrasse will do just fine in that tank.
eatbreakfast
Fish Nerd
I find that there are actually a number of wrasses that will do well in a 60g
There are the small species, such as Wetmorellas and Pseudocheilinops ataenia. These would do well in a tank as small as 10g
Most commonly available flashers would do just fine in a 60g. Even having as many as three in the tank.
Smaller fairy wrasses, Those that grow to the 3.5-4in range, would be quite happy in a 60g.
Even some smaller Halichoeres wrasses. At my dentists office, there is a Melanurus in a 60g cube that has been there for over 2yrs now. He is a full grown terminal male that is not cramped for space in that tank.
If you were only looking for a single wrasse to keep in that tank Pseudocheilinus hexataenia, sixline wrasse or Pseudocheilinus tetrataenia, fourline wrasse. Would be happy in that size tank, though both of these fish are quite aggressize, so other tankmates probably would not be happy and you would not be able to add other wrasses.
All wrasses appreciate swimming space and rockwork to explore and graze. This can be a tricky thing to balance as the more rock you have, the less swimming space exists, and vice versa. But, I have seen many wrasses thrive in tanks between 50 and 60g
There are the small species, such as Wetmorellas and Pseudocheilinops ataenia. These would do well in a tank as small as 10g
Most commonly available flashers would do just fine in a 60g. Even having as many as three in the tank.
Smaller fairy wrasses, Those that grow to the 3.5-4in range, would be quite happy in a 60g.
Even some smaller Halichoeres wrasses. At my dentists office, there is a Melanurus in a 60g cube that has been there for over 2yrs now. He is a full grown terminal male that is not cramped for space in that tank.
If you were only looking for a single wrasse to keep in that tank Pseudocheilinus hexataenia, sixline wrasse or Pseudocheilinus tetrataenia, fourline wrasse. Would be happy in that size tank, though both of these fish are quite aggressize, so other tankmates probably would not be happy and you would not be able to add other wrasses.
All wrasses appreciate swimming space and rockwork to explore and graze. This can be a tricky thing to balance as the more rock you have, the less swimming space exists, and vice versa. But, I have seen many wrasses thrive in tanks between 50 and 60g
Breakthecycle2
2500 Club Member
As a keeper of 20 wrasses, I can tell you, almost any fairy or flasher wrasse would be OK in the 60 cube, as long as you have plenty of liverock for hiding and picking.
eatbreakfast
Fish Nerd
Yes, I think they would, depending on the fairy species.
evolved
[email protected]
Excellence Award
Reef Tank 365
Expert Contributor
Article Contributor
Moderator Emeritus
AZ FRAG Member
Hospitality Award
My Tank Thread
Yes, those of the Wetmorella genus are suitable.
I smaller number of species yes, but relative to the 100+ reef species which are suitable for a larger tank, it's still a relatively smaller number IMO.
I do agree with much of the above, but not all.
Perhaps I should have been more clear:
Any species of the Wetmorella genus, yes; suitable.
P. ataenia; also fine.
I personally would not put any species of Paracheilinus in a tank less than three feet in length. Many people would, but I won't. When they really get going in their display rituals, they much appreciate that lateral space.
There's only a handful of Cirrhilabrus I would deem suitable. Those of the lubbocki complex are fine (C. adornatus [but doesn't play well with others], C. flavidorsalis, C. lubbocki, C. marjorie). Those of the lunatus complex are also fine, but everything is quite costly here (C. lunatus, C. johnsoni, C. cf. lanceolatus, C. squirei). Some would say those of the rubriventralis complex would also be suitable, but I would not personally put such in a 60g. That complex already has an aggression potential; no need to try and entice such to come out in slightly cramped quarters.
Some Halichoeres would be okay too. Those which do not exceed 4-5" at adulthood. H. biocellatus, H. chrysus, H. leucoxanthus are a few that come to mind quickly and are fairly easy to obtain.
The suggested Pseudocheilinus wrasses are suitable, but you should be aware any Pseudocheilinus will likely become a terror once mature. I'd avoid them all, if I were you.
evolved
[email protected]
Excellence Award
Reef Tank 365
Expert Contributor
Article Contributor
Moderator Emeritus
AZ FRAG Member
Hospitality Award
My Tank Thread
It's also worth noting, first and foremost, the tank MUST be covered with 1/4" clear mesh (or the equivalent) if you wish to keep any wrasses. If the tank is uncovered, scratch everything above off the list; you would only be keeping any of them on borrowed time.
See evolved's post above for fairy wrasse recommendations. He gave you the list already 
myownlife
Active Member
I am upgrading to a 60 cube as well and would like to house a red velvet or rosy scale. Would they be OK? You may have already said the scientific name but I do not know what that is.
