Christmas Wrasse (Halichoeres claudia) Compatibility Q?

[JakeK]

So, still thinking about additions to the 93 gallon when i get it up and running and I ran across the Christmas Wrasse, the claudia species.

Looks like they are mostly reef safe, but are compatible with a McCosker and Orange-Back Wrasse and a Helfrichi Firefish?

Thanks!

 

[eatbreakfast]

So, still thinking about additions to the 93 gallon when i get it up and running and I ran across the Christmas Wrasse, the claudia species.

Looks like they are mostly reef safe, but are compatible with a McCosker and Orange-Back Wrasse and a Helfrichi Firefish?

Thanks!

It will most likely be the 'top dog', but should be fine.

 

[DeniseAndy]

Mine is definitely toppish (next to tang). It will show the newest fish who is boss, so if you want more wrasses that are a bit more shy, be careful. It should be fine going in last though. Mine is hawaiian version of the christmas wrasse and a great fish.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Mine is definitely toppish (next to tang). It will show the newest fish who is boss, so if you want more wrasses that are a bit more shy, be careful. It should be fine going in last though. Mine is hawaiian version of the christmas wrasse and a great fish.

The Hawaiian version is H. ornatissimus and is a touch more aggressive than H. claudia.

 

[JakeK]

Mine is definitely toppish (next to tang). It will show the newest fish who is boss, so if you want more wrasses that are a bit more shy, be careful. It should be fine going in last though. Mine is hawaiian version of the christmas wrasse and a great fish.

Thanks for the advice everyone. Always a good idea to test the waters here with people more experienced.

DeniseAndy - looks like we share the same hometown! I'm live in Cincy too!

 

[DeniseAndy]

Wow! I do not meet too many over here. Nice to meet you. Are you still in the area? If so, check out the local organization www.care4reefs.org.

 

[DeniseAndy]

The Hawaiian version is H. ornatissimus and is a touch more aggressive than H. claudia.

I thought it was a bit different. Thanks.

 

[KorL]

An established Xmas wrasse might pick on newly added smaller fish

 

[DeniseAndy]

Most certain they will.

 

[evolved]

The Hawaiian version is H. ornatissimus and is a touch more aggressive than H. claudia.

I've always known ornatissimus to be quite a bit more aggressive than claudia, and also can grow quite a bit larger too.

 

[DeniseAndy]

I have had my hawaiian one for over 2 years and she is pretty big. 5-7 inches long and 2.5 tall. Guessing of course as she never sits still too long. When I got her she was only maybe 2" long.

I unfortunately do not know about the claudia one and their behaviors specifically.

 

[saltyhog]

I had a claudia that was well down the pecking order behind a H. Chrysotaneia, H. Chrysus, C. lineatus and a C. rubrimarginatus

 

[eatbreakfast]

I have found claudia to be middle of the road for a Halichoeres. In a tank with multiple Halichoeres wrasses marginatus, papilionaceous, chrysotaenia, and melanurus were more aggressive, argus, biocellatus, iridis, leucurus, richmondi, and chrysus were less aggressive.