Fairy Wrasse for Aggressive Tank

[ca1ore]

Been a long time keeper of leopards and halicoeries wrasses, even a cleaner and possum or two. Have tried a couple of flashers; way too high strung and spent their entire time trying to wiggle through the screen top. I have never tried to keep fairies however. As I contemplate a larger tank, I'm looking for suggestions for fairy wrasse that will coexist with tangs, dwarf Angels, and anthias.

Buddy of mine suggested orange back, Scott's ...... Looking for some input please.

 

[ngoodermuth]

Orange back is a good choice. Scott's don't always hold their color well in captivity, and don't always play nice with other wrasses.

This chart might be helpful in gauging temperament. If you are only planning on one fairy wrasse most any would do. If you'd like more than one, I'd stay away from the red and dark orange.

Although individual personalities will vary.

Cirrhilabrus Complexes: Inferiority Need Not Apply

https://www.reef2reef.com/index.php...Complexes:-Inferiority-Need-Not-Apply.259074/

 

[eatbreakfast]

Most fairy wrasses will be fine with tangs, dwarf angels, and anthias. Some individual tangs and some of the larger anthias species may make swooping passes, but no permanent harm.

Solorensis, cf cyanopleura, exquisitus, rubrimarginatus, rubrisquamis, and rosefasciatus would be some of the first choices I would consider.

 

[evolved]

So when you said "aggressive tank", I was expecting a list of things a lot more aggressive than those.
Yes, just about any fairy will work here. The bigger species may fair just a bit better, but I wouldn't necessarily eliminate any of the smaller ones. Do be cautious of those most aggressive however if you plan to mix multiple species.

Scott's don't always hold their color well in captivity, and don't always play nice with other wrasses.

+1

 

[4FordFamily]

Most fairy wrasses will be fine with tangs, dwarf angels, and anthias. Some individual tangs and some of the larger anthias species may make swooping passes, but no permanent harm.

Solorensis, cf cyanopleura, exquisitus, rubrimarginatus, rubrisquamis, and rosefasciatus would be some of the first choices I would consider.

Agree. Nearly any fairy will probably work!

 

[saltyhog]

I like TJ's list and would add that terminal phase C. jordani, C. laboutei and C. lineatus are hard to beat.

 

[ca1ore]

So when you said "aggressive tank", I was expecting a list of things a lot more aggressive than those.

Perhaps so. Though my tangs are not particularly welcoming of any newcomers. They've also worked out the acclimation box, so that now proves less than useful. Last two flashers I tried ended up on the floor necessitating a better screen top. Not interested in playing that game again.

 

[ca1ore]

Most fairy wrasses will be fine with tangs, dwarf angels, and anthias. Some individual tangs and some of the larger anthias species may make swooping passes, but no permanent harm.

Solorensis, cf cyanopleura, exquisitus, rubrimarginatus, rubrisquamis, and rosefasciatus would be some of the first choices I would consider.

Thanks TJ, that's helpful.

 

[ca1ore]

Realized my first post was not entirely accurate as I did have a naoki wrasse at one point (before it found the a hole in my screen).

Anyhow, thinking of going with an aurantidorsalis, a cyanopleura and perhaps a rubrisquamis. Would males of all three co-exist?

 

[evolved]

Realized my first post was not entirely accurate as I did have a naoki wrasse at one point (before it found the a hole in my screen).

Anyhow, thinking of going with an aurantidorsalis, a cyanopleura and perhaps a rubrisquamis. Would males of all three co-exist?

Probably; keep an eye on the rubrisquamis, and best to add it last.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Realized my first post was not entirely accurate as I did have a naoki wrasse at one point (before it found the a hole in my screen).

Anyhow, thinking of going with an aurantidorsalis, a cyanopleura and perhaps a rubrisquamis. Would males of all three co-exist?

Aurantidorsalis will likely lose it's bright orange back if kept with cyanopleura. They are both in the same complex, but cyanopleura are bigger and bolder than aurantidorsalis, preventing the aurantidorsalis from being dominant and keeping it's best colors.

 

[BradB]

I've been thinking of adding a Scott's with a miniatus. Roseafascius is another option, maybe black margin. Anything else get big enough?

 

[eatbreakfast]

I've been thinking of adding a Scott's with a miniatus. Roseafascius is another option, maybe black margin. Anything else get big enough?

Miniatus? Like the grouper? If so, no fairy wrasses is safe.

Scott's and melanomarginatus are compatible in a large tank with roseafascia, but scott's don't keep their colors.

 

[evolved]

Aurantidorsalis will likely lose it's bright orange back if kept with cyanopleura. They are both in the same complex, but cyanopleura are bigger and bolder than aurantidorsalis, preventing the aurantidorsalis from being dominant and keeping it's best colors.

Agree! Didn't catch that in my multi-tasking. ;Eggonface

 

[ca1ore]

I now have a aurantidorsalis (orange back) and small rubrisquamis (red velvet) in QT. Have an opportunity to acquire a lanceolatus (though I think it may actually be a roseafascia); any expert views on compatibility with the two I already have. It's going to be a big tank (450).

 

[eatbreakfast]

I now have a aurantidorsalis (orange back) and small rubrisquamis (red velvet) in QT. Have an opportunity to acquire a lanceolatus (though I think it may actually be a roseafascia); any expert views on compatibility with the two I already have. It's going to be a big tank (450).

In a 450g, all of those will be fine, though eventually the lanceolatus/roseafascia will be top dog.

 

[ca1ore]

Thanks TJ.

 

[evolved]

Have an opportunity to acquire a lanceolatus (though I think it may actually be a roseafascia)

Unless you're paying 4 figures and it came via Japan, it's roseafascia.
Roseafascia will have dark spots on the ventral fins which are at the posterior edges; the black spots on lanceolatus touch the anterior edge.

any expert views on compatibility with the two I already have. It's going to be a big tank (450).

Agree with TJ; it should be okay. Occasionally rubrisquamis can be very fiesty - if your specimen falls in that camp then there could be an issue with roseafascia (but it's a low risk).

 

[ca1ore]

Definately NOT four figures ......

 

[ca1ore]

I now have a aurantidorsalis (orange back) and small rubrisquamis (red velvet) in QT. Have an opportunity to acquire a lanceolatus (though I think it may actually be a roseafascia); any expert views on compatibility with the two I already have. It's going to be a big tank (450).

Rubrisquamis is proving to be an excellent addition to the tank, bold and colorful. Roseafascia is doing well also, though a bit less bold. Aurantidorsalis never made it out of QT, having been felled by some unidentified pathogen.