Fairy wrasse collectors
- Thread starter cee
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Ryan15236
Active Member
I bought a blue sided fairy wrasse about 3 weeks ago. Unfortunately didn't make it not sure why. Was eating and active in the store. Firefish I got with it is doing great. I am going to try again and see if I can do a couple fairy wrasses in my 125. Love the fish though, heard reports about males losing coloration over time without other fairy wrasses or without female fairy wrasses? Don't know if that is just people blowing smoke or what.
OP
OP
Fairies are the best aquarium fish out there IMO. Sometimes they get swim bladder issues as several are brought up from deep depths and have to be properly decompressed. Males do lose coloration w/o female(s) in many cases. Somewhere I recall seeing a list from most likely to least likely to lose coloration among the various species.
Ryan15236
Active Member
I agree. I think they are great fish for a reef tank. What fairy wrasse did you get? I love some of the Catherine's fairy wrasses but they are a little more than I would want to spend. I need to look more into compatibility and best species and get one or two for my tank.
RavenSF
Active Member
Sorry to hear that it didn't make it. They're supposed to be difficult to ship. I just picked up a pintail wrasse from my LFS. It's in QT now but I've got high hopes. It's my first fairy wrasse, although I have flashers and a Halichoeres now.
Mark75
Well-Known Member
I wish my tank was more suited to Flashers,..they are wonderful fish that add so much to a tank. I have an open top 50g. cube that unfortunately is not the best choice for the more active fish.
I am currently looking for some active fish that may school in my new tank but the small size makes it very difficult, any suggestions?
I am currently looking for some active fish that may school in my new tank but the small size makes it very difficult, any suggestions?
OP
OP
Sorry to hear that it didn't make it. They're supposed to be difficult to ship. I just picked up a pintail wrasse from my LFS. It's in QT now but I've got high hopes. It's my first fairy wrasse, although I have flashers and a Halichoeres now.
Nice fairy wrasse. They're great fish overall. The Katherine's fairy Ryan mentioned can get a bit aggressive IME as can a couple of the larger members of the family but overall a great disposition fish that is very active and "plays well with others". The only real downside I've seen is their tendency to jump so a tight cover is mandatory. For those with a bit smaller tank the flashers tend to be a bit smaller and very colorful and easy to keep as well. My other current wrasse is a Red Sea 8-line flasher, another unique fish IMO.
Dave
Ryan15236
Active Member
I am not to familiar with fairy wrasses honestly but I want to do a few in my tank. Would you have any advice on a good fairy wrasses or two for a 125 gallon reef tank? Anything on compatibility as well? I have read you can have multiples but when introducing a new fairy wrasse to a tank with established fairy wrasses that it is wise to use an acclimation box.
OP
OP
I by no means am an expert on these fish but have owned several throughout the years. Flame, rhomboid, lineatus, lubbock's, Katherine's, laboutei, exquisite, hooded and pink margin. I've mixed them before with no real problems outside of initial aggression that goes away quite quickly. In general, I find the larger ones to be a bit more aggressive but there are exceptions to that rule. I'd have to say that a super male lineatus was my absolute favorite in terms of overall coloration and disposition but other than the Katherine's, I enjoyed them all. Unfortunately, my tastes tend to lean on the rarer side but there are also nice ones available that are <$100 or considerably less. Really depends on the availability and what all is involved in collecting them.
fishdoc11
It's a hobby
I love fairy wrasses and have had a few. A Red Sea 8 line I had back in Amy and I's first house in Nashville was my favorite. Would flash me every time I walked by the tank. I haven't had good luck with keeping multiples in the same tank though. Every time I have tried that one becomes dominant and the others hide one by one and decline.
tswanso3
Active Member
Love fairy wrasses. In my 180 I have a Lineatus, Rhomboid, Flame male and female, Tono's, Whip fin, Ruby red head, Orange back, and Red velvet. I also keep a small six line, cleaner, and 2 female leopard wrasses. The cleaner wrasse I've had for over 2 years, eats everything I put in the tank.
Ryan15236
Active Member
cee have you ever kept other wrasses as well? I am thinking about adding a melanurus wrasse and maybe a yellow coris wrasse but I am wondering if these two would get along since they are so closely related. Also I would like to add a fairy or two in the tank as well with these wrasses. Is this something that would work or am I looking at a disaster. Not experienced at all when it comes to wrasses although I would like the final stock of my tank to look something like this.
2 black ice clowns (have)
Firefish (have)
Tailspot blenny
4-5 dispar anthias or maybe some other anthias
Purple tang
and then a few wrasses
2 black ice clowns (have)
Firefish (have)
Tailspot blenny
4-5 dispar anthias or maybe some other anthias
Purple tang
and then a few wrasses
OP
OP
I've kept Halichoeres wrasses, flashers and mystery wrasses together. The order in which you add them somewhat determines your success. Generally, most aggressive get added last. In your case, I'd do the anthias next, followed by the fairy wrasses then the melanarus and finally the tang. A melanarus is not the least aggressive of the Halichoeres wrasse but should be fine with all but the mellowest of fairies. Also, certain fairy wrasses pair well and others can be somewhat of a bully so you may need to adjust this order depending on which wrasses you choose.
OP
OP
That's such a personal choice that I won't even venture into those waters.
