Best wrasses for a wrasse tank

[ReeferReefer]

I'm setting up a 120 gallon softie tank. I would like the focus to be on wrasses.

Current fish that are coming over from my current tank include:

2 Black Photon Clowns
1 Flame Angel
1 Blue Star Leopard Wrasse
1 Royal Gramma

I am also considering adding a Starry Blenny and Yellow Eye Kole Tang.

What wrasses would you add to fill out the tank?

I am looking at some flashers and maybe a fairy wrasse? I'd love to see what you think.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Wow! You've got a ton of options! Flashers and fairies alike. My only suggestion is to be sure and get only one of each species. Have you checked out the articles by @evolved on wrasses posted here on R2R? Those would be the guides I would use.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Here's @evolved's article page: https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/author/evolved.14447/

 

[Mike1995]

As the OP was wondering about a kole tang, i am too. Are they suitable for a 75g?

 

[ReeferReefer]

Wow! You've got a ton of options! Flashers and fairies alike. My only suggestion is to be sure and get only one of each species. Have you checked out the articles by @evolved on wrasses posted here on R2R? Those would be the guides I would use.

Thanks. I'll start there.

The Solar Fairy Wrasse and Carpenter Wrasses stand out. I just love my Leopard and have decided that they are the most interesting fish I could have.

 

[60CubeReefer]

Some of my favorites: flame, potter's, rhomboid, radiant, lineatus, pintail...

 

[nereefpat]

Don't forget about Halichoeres genus, like yellow, red line, melanurus, etc.

 

[Jesterrace]

Halichoeres are a must even though they will pick off the occasional smaller invert (snails, hermits and small shrimp). Be aware that Solar Wrasses can be jerks and there are other options I would go with first. Mine was fine for a week and then snapped and went after everything in the tank (including my poor Mandarinfish). A Flasher would be a great choice.

 

[ReeferReefer]

Halichoeres are a must even though they will pick off the occasional smaller invert (snails, hermits and small shrimp). Be aware that Solar Wrasses can be jerks and there are other options I would go with first. Mine was fine for a week and then snapped and went after everything in the tank (including my poor Mandarinfish). A Flasher would be a great choice.

Any other fairy wrasses that you would recommend?

 

[nereefpat]

If I were starting over with a 120, I would do something like: exquisite, Lubbock, orange back for fairies.

 

[Jacked Reefer]

If I had a 120 I would throw in a Lubbock’s fairy wrasse, a radiant wrasse, Ruby fairy wrasse, and a blue flasher.

 

[saltyhog]

Some of my favorites: flame, potter's, rhomboid, radiant, lineatus, pintail...

I like this list. I would add to it Cirrhilabrus....C. laboutei, exquisitus, rubrimarginatus, and if your wallet allows earlei and johnsoni
Halichoeres....H. chrysus, chrysotaenia. I like biocellatus as a female but when they transition they are so dark they are almost black.
Paracheilinus....flavianalis, mccoskeri, lineopunctatus, angulatus, filamentosus...and if the wallet is heavy attenuatus

 

[Jesterrace]

Any other fairy wrasses that you would recommend?

Sure, but all of them are significantly more expensive (ie Exquisite, Orange Back, Rhomboid, Lineatus).

 

[Maritimer]

Halichoeres iridis and H. claudia are standouts, to my eye . . .

~Bruce

 

[saltyhog]

Halichoeres iridis and H. claudia are standouts, to my eye . . .

~Bruce

Can't believe I forgot about H. claudia. I had one until my move when I rehomed him. Great fish, never bothered anything and very pretty. I haven't seen one offered in a while. I got lucky and walked in to my LFS when they got one in labeled "Christmas Wrasse" which is how they usually get labeled at most LFS.

 

[ca1ore]

I have mostly given up on flashers. Too twitchy and always seemed to find their way into the carpet. Much prefer fairies. So many cool species to pick from and not generally aggressive if you respect the complexes.

 

[Jesterrace]

Can't believe I forgot about H. claudia. I had one until my move when I rehomed him. Great fish, never bothered anything and very pretty. I haven't seen one offered in a while. I got lucky and walked in to my LFS when they got one in labeled "Christmas Wrasse" which is how they usually get labeled at most LFS.

When my Melanurus goes the way of all the earth, that is high on my list of replacements.

 

[RtomKinMad]

As the OP was wondering about a kole tang, i am too. Are they suitable for a 75g?

Yes. A yellow or blue eyed kole and a tomini. If tank is 4’ should be ok.

 

[RtomKinMad]

If I were starting over with a 120, I would do something like: exquisite, Lubbock, orange back for fairies.

I agree Lov the Lubbock!

 

[RtomKinMad]

I lov the flame fairy so beautiful but expensive! Definitely a show fish for any tank! Always out and peaceful.