Help Me Pick A Wrasse!

[RoanokeReef]

Morning All,
Looking for my first wrasse, I've been reading over some posts and the number of wrasses is mind boggling. So please help me! The only Wrasse I would not add is a Six line, had one in the past and he was a nightmare. Would really like one that is snail, shrimp safe and could add more Wrasses in the future. About my tank -
69G Display w/ Sump
Sand Bed (Reef Flakes)
Net Cover
Mixed reef but SPS Dominant
1 Clownfish
1 Yasha w/ Pistol
Many Snails

Thanks much!

 

[felda001]

My personal favorites are pintails C.Isoseles. Here is a chart for the fairy wrasses to help with levels of aggression and necessary tank size. Because once you getoond you will want more. Try to avoid similar types and start with the least aggressive

 

[Bum]

I generally like to start with a Yellow Coris. They are generally inexpensive and a very active swimmer.

 

[sfin52]

Do you want it for color or for a job. Some wrasse are fantastic for pest control

 

[Slocke]

Morning All,
Looking for my first wrasse, I've been reading over some posts and the number of wrasses is mind boggling. So please help me! The only Wrasse I would not add is a Six line, had one in the past and he was a nightmare. Would really like one that is snail, shrimp safe and could add more Wrasses in the future. About my tank -
69G Display w/ Sump
Sand Bed (Reef Flakes)
Net Cover
Mixed reef but SPS Dominant
1 Clownfish
1 Yasha w/ Pistol
Many Snails

Thanks much!

Options are:
The peaceful but difficult these are hard to acclimate but tough once happy
Anampses wrasse aka tamarins they are big peaceful wrasse but can be difficult to acclimate
Macropharyngodon aka leopard smaller and perhaps slightly easier then tamarins. Perfect for those wanting to try more difficult wrasse.
Pseudojuloides aka pencil wrasse are difficult to find and difficult to keep but incredibly pretty.


The flashy wrasse these are fun fish that are fairly easy and like to show off.
Cirrhilabrus aka fairy wrasse. See feldas comment above
Paracheilinus aka flasher wrasse. Similar but shyer then fairy

The pestivores finally we have the wrasse that are often added to control pests. These are usually fairly tough and easy
Halichoeres aka pig wrasse. This is often where people get their first wrasse. They are easy and great for pest control. Though they can be aggressive. Best to start with a yellow, silver belly, or radiant as they are more peaceful.
Wetmorella aka possum are a small wrasse that are easy and eat some small pests
Pseudocheilinops aka the pink streak wrasse is like a six line but shy and peaceful

 

[Slocke]

I generally like to start with a Yellow Coris. They are generally inexpensive and a very active swimmer.

“Coris” is a genus with no yellow wrasse. You are referring to Halichoeres chrysus which is a great wrasse but definitely not a coris.

 

[eliaslikesfish]

so, not as colorful, not as unique as many others, but I have a single pinstripe wrasse and he is just so chill, comes to say hi and is constantly swimming through the rock structures and never picks on coral or bothers anyone in the tank.

 

[Slocke]

so, not as colorful, not as unique as many others, but I have a single pinstripe wrasse and he is just so chill, comes to say hi and is constantly swimming through the rock structures and never picks on coral or bothers anyone in the tank.

These are closely related to the six line and can become very aggressive. They, like all Pseudocheilinus, stake out prime reef real estate and defend it viciously sometimes. Very similar in behavior to damselfish. I’m glad yours isn’t that way though.

 

[eliaslikesfish]

These are closely related to the six line and can become very aggressive. They, like all Pseudocheilinus, stake out prime reef real estate and defend it viciously sometimes. Very similar in behavior to damselfish. I’m glad yours isn’t that way though.

oh, interesting. i had no idea. mine never bothers anyone. maybe because I added him last… hopefully he doesn’t change.

 

[Slocke]

oh, interesting. i had no idea. mine never bothers anyone. maybe because I added him last

A lot of people have luck with these wrasse but a lot of people don’t. Seems pretty 50/50. So you are happy with it then don’t change but it’s not a wrasse I would personally recommend unless it is the only wrasse or in a larger or more aggressive tank.

 

[kingranch2003]

Good morning! These are absolutely garbage pictures of what is one of the most beautiful fish I've ever kept. (Lubbock's Fairy Wrasse). Sorry about that, but I really wanted you to see his nature. The wrasse and my tailspot blenny are best friends. The way swim around the tank gill to gill is very fun to watch. If this was the ugliest fish in the world, it would be a favorite just based on its temperament. But as his mood changes, so do those colors, flashing those pinks, yellows and infinite blues.

 

[steveschuerger]

I have one “easy” wrasse in a Melanurus (halichoeres sp.) and one “harder” wrasse in a Blue Star/ Divided Leopard Macropharyngodon. Both have been wonderful fish. I had the Mel first and added the Leopard several months later. I was lucky that the leopard was big and healthy and ate frozen immediately which isn’t always the case.

 

[Bum]

“Coris” is a genus with no yellow wrasse. You are referring to Halichoeres chrysus which is a great wrasse but definitely not a coris.

Well aware of that but most stores and even online retailers will refer to them as that and will continue to as the common name.

 

[Slocke]

Well aware of that but most stores and even online retailers will refer to them as that and will continue to as the common name.

luckily that has been slowly changing (look at liveaquaria) and it’s best not to perpetuate a falsehood

 

[Bum]

luckily that has been slowly changing (look at liveaquaria) and it’s best not to perpetuate a falsehood

I clearly said most stores and online retailers. Never said all stores and online retailers. You're the one that's projecting.

 

[Slocke]

I clearly said most stores and online retailers. Never said all stores and online retailers. You're the one that's projecting.

I wouldn’t say most. Dr reef changed it to Chrysus wrasse this year and I think the hobby is progressing. I never said you were projecting btw
I honestly just want to make sure you and the OP know the truth. I love wrasse and want everyone to learn more about them!

 

[Slocke]

I clearly said most stores and online retailers. Never said all stores and online retailers. You're the one that's projecting.

If you’d like to learn more I wrote this a while back for fun!

Not Coris wrasse! This is becoming my biggest pet peeve...

This is Halichoeres chrysus. A small, reef safe, and very peaceful wrasse known for being beautiful, eating pests, and as a good community member. Credit @JoJosReef This is Halichoeres chloropterus. A larger and more aggressive wrasse but still fairly reef safe and good for bigger tanks and...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[rwbsr]

These are closely related to the six line and can become very aggressive. They, like all Pseudocheilinus, stake out prime reef real estate and defend it viciously sometimes. Very similar in behavior to damselfish. I’m glad yours isn’t that way though.

Christmas, Solar Fairy, Pintail, Rhomboid, Choat’s are all beautiful & not aggressive.

 

[Slocke]

Christmas, Solar Fairy, Pintail, Rhomboid, Choat’s are all beautiful & not aggressive.

I’m being extra pedantic on this thread but there are like 5 wrasse called Christmas wrasse. At least two of them are very much not peaceful aka the two in the genus Thalassoma. The ones in the genus Halichoeres are though.

@i cant think want to do a scientific name rant?

 

[nkyreef]

Any flasher wrasse would be a good fit. Wouldn't break the bank and they're hardy. Next would be one of the fairy wrasses. Use the chart @felda001 linked. Wrasses are my favorite - I currently have ten but at one time was up to fourteen.