Fairy wrasse in 25g?

[blazedbeef]

I have a tricolor fairy wrasse in my 25g nano cube with about 20 pounds of live rock with plenty of places to swim through and hide. I was wondering if my tank size is appropriate for this fish. I’ve read that a 30 gallon is good but I’ve also heard they need a 90 gallon. My LFS also said it would be fine in my tank.I’ve had mine for about 4 months and it’s active and eats well. I have a clown and a bicolor blenny that hangs out at the back of the tank. I struggle to keep my nitrates and phosphate up so I would like to add a yasha goby and maybe a very small royal gramma. Should I rehome my wrasse? I don’t want to stress it out or have it die because it’s in too small of a tank.

 

[blaxsun]

Both the fish you want to add should be fine - they’re small and will probably spend most of their time in the rock anyway.

 

[Wyvern]

5" active fish in a 25G is a bit too much.

I had an Exquisite fairy up until this morning in a 109 Gallon 4' bowfront, and he did laps around it.

A flasher or possum is a better option (with possum being more suitable)

 

[blaxsun]

5" active fish in a 25G is a bit too much.

Did you mean 5 active fish or a 5” active fish? 5 active fish in a 25 gallon is totally fine, because the blenny, gramma and goby he wants to add will all be lurking among the rocks most of the time anyway.

If you’re managing your bio load you can run more than 5 small fish - it really depends on a lot of factors.

 

[Wyvern]

Did you mean 5 active fish or a 5” active fish? 5 active fish in a 25 gallon is totally fine, because the blenny, gramma and goby he wants to add will all be lurking among the rocks most of the time anyway.

If you’re managing your bio load you can run more than 5 small fish - it really depends on a lot of factors.

Oh, the OP has a solon fairy wrasse, they get 5" which is pretty big for a small tank, especially since they are curious and active.

I couldn't imagine one in less than a 3ft tank.

 

[Acros]

I have seen tricolor fairy wrasse get to a solid 3” length and that size they would be too much for a 25g tank.

If the fish is not constantly pacing and restless, you are probably fine.

 

[blaxsun]

Oh, the OP has a solon fairy wrasse, they get 5" which is pretty big for a small tank, especially since they are curious and active.

I couldn't imagine one in less than a 3ft tank.

He’s probably more than a few years away from it reaching 5” in length. The OP didn’t indicate the size, but I assume it’s not an adult.

 

[blazedbeef]

I have seen tricolor fairy wrasse get to a solid 3” length and that size they would be too much for a 25g tank.

If the fish is not constantly pacing and restless, you are probably fine.

My fish likes to hang out in the rocks and cave and swims out to check things out every few minutes or so. I wouldn’t say it seems restless or pacing, but it’s definitely at least 3 inches.

 

[blazedbeef]

He’s probably more than a few years away from it reaching 5” in length. The OP didn’t indicate the size, but I assume it’s not an adult.

I would say it’s about 3-4 inches.

 

[blaxsun]

I would say it’s about 3-4 inches.

Just keep in-mind that this would be considered a “large” variant, so you may need to look at upgrading to a larger tank sooner as opposed to later if you notice any change in behaviour.

 

[Acros]

They are definitely on the larger side for fairy wrasses (that we keep in reef aquarium).