Adding wrasses again

TarHeelReefer22 · Mar 25, 2014

I was recently considering adding a pair of Macropharyngodon meleagris (Leopard Wrasse) to my 75 gallon reef that already houses one Halichoeres hortulanus (Marble Wrasse) (Yes a poor choice but one of my favorites) which will be leaving the tank due to his increased aggression, and a Cirrhilabrus lubbocki (Multi-color Lubbock's Fairy Wrasse) which will be staying in the tank. I have since lost most interest in the Leopard wrasses and have now settled on a pair of Cirrhilabrus solorensis (Red Head Solon Fairy Wrasse) that I have already purchased. They are currently in quarantine with a Pseudocheilinus hexataenia (Six Line Wrasse) and waiting to get them in the display. My largest concern is going to be my Lubbock's Fairy and the female Red Head Solon Fairy. What do you guys think?...The Red Heads are less aggressive than the Lubbock's and the Lubbock's is probably a full inch smaller.Thanks for any feed back!

evolved · Mar 25, 2014

The only concern I have is with the sixline wrasse; nothing else will likely be a problem here.

eatbreakfast · Mar 25, 2014

And also that the female solorensis likely isnt, but even so should pose no issues.

TarHeelReefer22 · Mar 26, 2014

Lost my male today cant find him anywhere not on floor not in tank no body in tank so he might be in the sump I have a lot of rock in there so I will look later. I have returned the six line and my new question is should I wait to replace/find my male and add him to quarentine with my female or go ahead and add her to the display and replace the male later? Also, what do you guys think about adding in the place of the sixline a Cirrhilabrus scottorum and Cirrhilabrus exquisitus (africa)?

eatbreakfast · Mar 27, 2014

You can add the female now without worries. Generally, though, female wrasses transition to male relatively quickly and easily, whether a male is present or not. If it is indeed a true female solorensis, you may very well be ending up with a male whether you add one or not.

As far as the suggested replacement fish, C. scottorum has a reputation for being aggressive toward other flasher/ fairy wrasses, so adding one may prevent easily adding wrasses in the future. The exquisite wrasse, on the other hand, should pose no problems at all.

evolved · Mar 27, 2014

Eienna · Mar 27, 2014

What I'm worried about is the sixline. He may well decide to kill all your other wrasses, and they are horribly difficult to catch once they're in the tank.

TarHeelReefer22 · Mar 27, 2014

Yeah the six line is now gone and off my list

TarHeelReefer22 · Apr 2, 2014

Hey guys another update I found my male ruby head which makes me happy. Both male and female have been added and doing great. They are still bonded and sleeping and swimming together...opinions...I will add that neither male or female are messing with my Lubbocks wrasse. I want to add a few more and want to leave this open to suggestions and the only one I have in mind is a flasher probably mccokers.

TJ's Reef · Apr 2, 2014

Looking to be a nice Wrasse collection there, I to just recently added a pair of Solar Wrasses along with a Yellow Coris and Melenurus Wrasse to my very busy Reef and have all gotten along with my resident Ornate Leopard Wrasse. I'm looking to add a Radiant Wrasse to the mix though need to re-home a large Blochi Tang first as now have 24 Fish in my 125g including 5 Tangs and 5 Wrasses. The Solar Wrasse pair are slowly being allowed to shoal with my 4 Anthias and has certainly put the 'Spark' back in the dominant male Hawaiian Bicolor. Do you have a well covered Tank ??? McCoskers are such beautiful fish though with a propensity to 'Jump for Joy' right out of your tank............... You might also look at Dispar Anthias as an alternative, being a shallow water peaceful Anthias.

Cheers, Todd

TarHeelReefer22 · Apr 2, 2014

I dont like to keep any anthias in four foot tanks outside the standard 120. I do have a well cover tank and have kept mccokers successfully in the past.