Can we talk about the beautiful wrasse?

FSU Chase · Jun 22, 2020

So I'm working on a livestock list for an 8' long 300 reef build. I know I'm going to have a group of tangs, working on that list, and I want a school of anthias. Trying to decide on fish that are beautiful and utilitarian. Wrasse seem to be that fish.

I want a pair of Peacock, a Christmas and Solorensis for sure, but has anyone tried a much larger group of wrasse? Maybe varying fairy wrasse? I see reservations about the number of fish in a tank, but I want this tank to be LOADED with colorful, active fish. I understand my bio load will be quite large and will take appropriate measures with a monster skimmer and oversized refugium, just looking for input on the wrasse itself or maybe another great schooling fish besides the anthias (not including chromis).

Angel_Anthias lover · Jun 22, 2020

Cirrhilabrus Complexes: Inferiority Need Not Apply (1st Revision)

Cirrhilabrus, the “Fairy Wrasses”, are one of the most elegant, active, and colorful reef fish. Their appeal in a reef tank is common to many, but not all have a well-rounded understanding of the compatibility amongst them. Enter the notion of “complexes”: groupings of very closely related...

www.reef2reef.com

Follow that if you are interested in mixing fairy wrasses

FSU Chase · Jun 22, 2020

Thanks!

saltyhog · Jun 22, 2020

Is the Peacock wrasse you mentioned Macrpharyngodon bipartitus? Cool fish, and the one genus you can have a male and a female of (although I would do one male and 2 or more females).

Otherwise, only one specimen of each species. You could have many flashers and fairies in that large of a tank.

FSU Chase · Jun 22, 2020

saltyhog said:
Is the Peacock wrasse you mentioned Macrpharyngodon bipartitus? Cool fish, and the one genus you can have a male and a female of (although I would do one male and 2 or more females).

Otherwise, only one specimen of each species. You could have many flashers and fairies in that large of a tank.

Yes, maybe better known and the blue star leopard wrasse. More than one female would be nice, they have the better markings. Great call! And yes, only one Christmas, Solorensis and maybe another higher end specimen, then several fairies would be ideal. Thanks for you feedback.

Dragon52 · Jun 22, 2020

@evolved

evolved · Jun 22, 2020

Start here:

All About Reef Safe Wrasses in Aquaria

Introduction My name is Hunter and I am a wrasse addict. Admitting such is the first step to buying another wrasse, I think. Wrasses are not only my passion, but my niche in this hobby since 2010. My tank is full of them, and unfortunately...

www.reef2reef.com

FSU Chase said:
Christmas

And be careful there - that common name can apply to a multitude of species and they are not all kind...

FSU Chase · Jun 22, 2020

evolved said:
Start here:

All About Reef Safe Wrasses in Aquaria

Introduction My name is Hunter and I am a wrasse addict. Admitting such is the first step to buying another wrasse, I think. Wrasses are not only my passion, but my niche in this hobby since 2010. My tank is full of them, and unfortunately...

www.reef2reef.com

And be careful there - that common name can apply to a multitude of species and they are not all kind...

Good call. I have one now in my 75 sold as a Christmas. It's fantastic. I'll try and figure out exactly what it is. Maybe you can help with a picture?

evolved · Jun 22, 2020

FSU Chase said:
Good call. I have one now in my 75 sold as a Christmas. It's fantastic. I'll try and figure out exactly what it is. Maybe you can help with a picture?

Take a picture and post it here:

Let Me ID Your Wrasse!

Got a wrasse but have no idea what species it is? Post it here with a good, Email me: [email protected] with a clear picture and I'll ID it for you. If you can capture a photo with the fins flared out, all the better. :wink: And go!

www.reef2reef.com

The sticky threads are worth looking at on this forum.