A few random questions

[t blackwell]

hello there reefers...I have a few questions that i would love feedback on.

1. Fairy wrasses..I have one a redhead solon in my 220..I once tried to add an exquisite who disapeared in two days..my solon kind of zooms at fish on a regular basis but doesnt attack anyone..would you think i should be ok adding one or more fairy wrasses to the tank..?

I see they have female flame wrasses for a good price..at livequaria..if I buy two diff sized females would one of them likely become a male..is that a real long process like year or more or faster?

I lost my Diamond Goby the other day ( unexplained) had him for a couple of years..if you want to make a pair or gobies like these..or say sleeper gold heads..can you just buy two of diff sizes and in a large tank likely one will change to the opp sex? anyone done this succesfully or have a recommendation..

the melanarus wrasse..is it basically reef safe I know this opinion varies but..I wonder if I decide to add one or two wrasses to my tank that has one..if it would work out..

 

[Spar]

A while back I purchased a male flame wrasse and 3 females. One of the females turned into a male in around 6 months and killed the original male. Then another female turned into a male around 6 months after that and the 2nd male killed the new male. i sold the final female and kept only the 2nd male. that said, sure seems like 6 months is enough/common. they seem to change super fast once the process starts. but this makes keeping a harem difficult.

my only experience with a melanarus was awful. i had him in QT with about 8 Bangaii Cardinalfish. the bangaii kept dieing, and finally I setup a webcam and watched as the Melanarus beat the hell out of a couple Bangaii... I swiftly got him out and returned him. then again, i know tons of people that keep peaceful Melanarus', so truly seems to be luck of the draw with them. Beautiful wrasses if you are lucky enough!

 

[t blackwell]

so with the flame wrasse I could buy two females and see what happens? what do you think?

 

[rkpetersen]

1. Fairy wrasses..I have one a redhead solon in my 220..I once tried to add an exquisite who disapeared in two days..my solon kind of zooms at fish on a regular basis but doesnt attack anyone..would you think i should be ok adding one or more fairy wrasses to the tank..?

Check out this chart, it's fantastic about telling you which fairy wrasses can be kept together and which shouldn't be.

the melanarus wrasse..is it basically reef safe I know this opinion varies but..I wonder if I decide to add one or two wrasses to my tank that has one..if it would work out..

It may attack small shrimps (particularly new ones), worms, and snails, and will quickly become one of the tank's bosses, but other than that they are beautiful, hardy and reef safe.
If you add new wrasses, it definitely could challenge them.
They do need a sand bed to sleep in but it doesn't have to be all that deep, 2" in areas is sufficient.

 

[Spar]

so with the flame wrasse I could buy two females and see what happens? what do you think?

Yes, that is a good idea. Just don't get attached to both They both may start to change at the same time too, so watch them closely, and the instant you recognize that one is changing/changed, get the other out. Or if you know you will be keeping a close eye out, just wait to remove the other once you start witnessing bullying.