Advice on Adding Fish

[retiredsailor]

I was thinking of adding some reef-safe wrasses to my 75g. It currently has a Coral Beauty Angel, Yellow Kole Tang, one Firefish, a Pink Spotted Watchman Goby, a Blue Spotted Watchman Goby and a Lawnmower Blenny.
I was thinking of adding a Longfin, Red Velvet and Whip Fin fairy wrasses. I know housing conspecifics can end badly so I figured I would ask. People always talk about the peaceful nature of wrasses which is why I am considering this.

Also, does anyone have any online sources for fish other than Liveaquaria? I would like to shop around based on others advice and experiences.

Thanks in advance,

ian

 

[4FordFamily]

I was thinking of adding some reef-safe wrasses to my 75g. It currently has a Coral Beauty Angel, Yellow Kole Tang, one Firefish, a Pink Spotted Watchman Goby, a Blue Spotted Watchman Goby and a Lawnmower Blenny.
I was thinking of adding a Longfin, Red Velvet and Whip Fin fairy wrasses. I know housing conspecifics can end badly so I figured I would ask. People always talk about the peaceful nature of wrasses which is why I am considering this.

Also, does anyone have any online sources for fish other than Liveaquaria? I would like to shop around based on others advice and experiences.

Thanks in advance,

ian

IMO the more the better and the less likely for trouble.

My favorite is actually Petsolutions.com they source and distribute the exact same fish. You could order a fish from either company and get the same individual. They're often less expensive, have the exact same warranty maybe better, and have free shipping from $99 and up vs LA's $225+.

Great company I highly recommend.

Also pieces of the ocean on here is fantastic (www.PiecesOfTheOcean.com) and hot reef (www.hotreef.com) are great sources. POTO is great for anything.

 

[saltyhog]

You've picked two of the most aggressive fairy wrasses (whip fin and red velvet). Might want to reconsider those two.

 

[4FordFamily]

You've picked two of the most aggressive fairy wrasses (whip fin and red velvet). Might want to reconsider those two.

I learned something today. I've never had whip fin or known anyone that had any but my red velvet and others I've seen seemed docile. Good to know though, learn something every day!

 

[eatbreakfast]

Actually, the longfin can be added to the list of aggressive fairy wrasses as well. Every circumstance is different however, so what may be aggressive in one tank may be less so in another. Those 3 species may work due to similar temperaments or you may have WWIII on your hands.

 

[retiredsailor]

Well I certainly don't want to recreate the Thunder Dome. So what recommendations do you all have for 3 types of reef safe, peaceful wrasses, fairy or flashers?

Oh, I also realize each fish is different and won't necessarily abide by their temperament ratings.

IMO the more the better and the less likely for trouble.

My favorite is actually Petsolutions.com they source and distribute the exact same fish. You could order a fish from either company and get the same individual. They're often less expensive, have the exact same warranty maybe better, and have free shipping from $99 and up vs LA's $225+.

Great company I highly recommend.

Also pieces of the ocean on here is fantastic (www.PiecesOfTheOcean.com) and hot reef (www.hotreef.com) are great sources. POTO is great for anything.

Thank you for these recommendations. I was really impressed with the Hot Reef. The seem to have a god selection and great prices. Petsolutions struck me as looking oddly like LA. So much so that I had to bring up both to convince myself they weren't the same. It didn't completely work. Regardless, great choices. Thank you very much.

 

[4FordFamily]

Well I certainly don't want to recreate the Thunder Dome. So what recommendations do you all have for 3 types of reef safe, peaceful wrasses, fairy or flashers?

Oh, I also realize each fish is different and won't necessarily abide by their temperament ratings.


Thank you for these recommendations. I was really impressed with the Hot Reef. The seem to have a god selection and great prices. Petsolutions struck me as looking oddly like LA. So much so that I had to bring up both to convince myself they weren't the same. It didn't completely work. Regardless, great choices. Thank you very much.

They're definitely not the same, but I guess if they were - pet solutions is a cheaper way to obtain the same fish, guarantee, less price, cheaper shipping, and same level of customer service!

The reason they're so similar is that quality marine (the source for both vendors) is where much of the guarantee and structure comes from. To offer their fish they have "overlays" policies and practices that are expected

 

[retiredsailor]

I am also considering 3 of the same kind of wrasse. Not for breeding, though, just to maybe make it easier to make a selection. However, that may present its own problem since multiple males are usually intolerant of each other and many places don't offer male/female differentiation. Heck, just finding where they are in stock can be a battle.

Thanks again.

Ian

 

[4FordFamily]

I am also considering 3 of the same kind of wrasse. Not for breeding, though, just to maybe make it easier to make a selection. However, that may present its own problem since multiple males are usually intolerant of each other and many places don't offer male/female differentiation. Heck, just finding where they are in stock can be a battle.

Thanks again.

Ian

All of my fairy and flashers are male and more than half of my leopards are male. More fish less aggression generally

 

[eatbreakfast]

I am also considering 3 of the same kind of wrasse. Not for breeding, though, just to maybe make it easier to make a selection. However, that may present its own problem since multiple males are usually intolerant of each other and many places don't offer male/female differentiation. Heck, just finding where they are in stock can be a battle.

Thanks again.

Ian

And often if females are sold they are already transitioning to male, which will elicit aggression. Males of different species probably works best.

 

[retiredsailor]

This is all great information. I'll sit down with the wife in a little bit to make our selections. Thanks again everyone!

ian

 

[retiredsailor]

I settled on the following:
1. Filamented Wrasse
2. McCosker's wrasse
3. Whipfin Wrasse
4. Melanurus Wrasse
5. Porcelain Anemone Crab (I couldn't resist and need more crabs anyway)

I ended up ordering from Blue Zoo Acquatics simply because of availability. Prices were good as well, but the had a large and varied stock. Shipping was free after ordering $140.

The box came Tuesday afternoon and all seemed well. Packing was good. I drip acclimated for almost two hours. When I put them in the tank though the Fillamented dropped like a rock. It was breathing and would make attempts at swimming but just layed there. I tried putting it in a net at the top of the tank to keep it in the current and prevent other fish from bothering it. It held on but didn't improve. I raced out to get an acclimation box to keep in the tank but when I got back it was dead. Blue Zoo has been good about it and is in the process of giving me a refund.

Everything else is doing great. Sorry for no pictures. I tried and failed. I'll try more later. The Melanurus started picking at my live rock very shortly after going in. The other two were eating perfectly fine by the night time feeding. My Whipfin decided to sleep on my frag tree last night, knocking off the top three. Don't know where the others sleep. I really want to watch the Melanurus dig his bed in the sand.

My Kole Tang chased after and bothered them at first but I put up a mirror and he was completely distracted. The funny thing, though, was the Melanurus joining him in going after the mirror after about an hour. I took the mirror down the next day and all is good. Now I just have to decide on what to use the refund on....

 

[eatbreakfast]

2 hrs is a bit excessive for acclimation. You may get ammonia buildup in that period of time.

Be careful with that whipfin when adding other wrases, they can get kinda nasty.