Let Me ID Your Wrasse!

Mike_J · Dec 30, 2014

eatbreakfast said:
It is a male Cirrhilabrus rubripinnis.

Thank you, thank you!! :smile:

AJQ69 · Jan 2, 2015

eatbreakfast said:
It is a C. cf. Cyanopleura male. They are frequently sold as females C. solorensis.

Based on your knowledge/experience do you think that a male blue head (C. Solorensis) can co exist with this red head male?

eatbreakfast · Jan 2, 2015

AJQ69 said:
Based on your knowledge/experience do you think that a male blue head (C. Solorensis) can co exist with this red head male?

It depends on the size of the tank and the individual temperament of the fish. They are closely related species, being in the same complex, so may squabble a little more than 2 more distantly related fairy wrasse species. That being said, I have kept the 2 species together and have not had too bad of aggression between them. I would say anything over a 4' tank should be fine. Just be sure to use a social acclimation box.

Aquaph8 · Jan 2, 2015

Here's a fun question for you guys I've never seen asked. How many complexes are there of Cirrhilabrus and what are they?

AJQ69 · Jan 2, 2015

eatbreakfast said:
It depends on the size of the tank and the individual temperament of the fish.I would say anything over a 4' tank should be fine. Just be sure to use a social acclimation box.

I'm guessing that's out of the question based on my tank (60 Cube) :crossedlips: ??

AJQ69 · Jan 2, 2015

Aquaph8 said:
Here's a fun question for you guys I've never seen asked. How many complexes are there of Cirrhilabrus and what are they?

Interesting point

eatbreakfast · Jan 2, 2015

Aquaph8 said:
Here's a fun question for you guys I've never seen asked. How many complexes are there of Cirrhilabrus and what are they?

I am not sure on how official or frequently complexes come up within the scientific community, but with hobbyists can be quite valuable. I am aware of 9 complexes.

There is the temminkii complex which includes temminkii, punctatus, beauperryi, balteatus, katherinae, and 2 as of yet unnamed species.

Cyanopleura complex which includes cyanopleura, ryukyuensis, solorensis, aurantidorsalis, luteovittatus, and cf. cyanolpeura.

Rubriventralis complex which includes rubriventralis, joanallenae, naokoae, morrisoni, and 2 unnamed species off of the coast of Africa, C. sp 1 and C. sp 2 respectively.

Johnsoni complex which has johnsoni, lunatus, squirei, cf lanceolatus, brunneus and the possible speciation of Phillippine versions of lunatus and cf. lanceolatus.

Lanceolatus complex of lanceolatus, roseafascia, sanguineus, and blatteus.

Lubbocki complex which contains lubbocki, adornatus, flavidorsalis, condei, rubripinnis, marjorie, wallindi cenderwasih, katoi, walshi, and the possibility of another yet unnamed species.

Bathyphilus complex of bathyphilus and nahackyi.

Scottorum complex of scottorum and melanomarginatus

Pylei complex of al of the pylei variants, rubrimarginatus, clairei, and lineatus.

Filamentosus complex of filamentosus and tonozukai.

There is also the Exquisite, which currently is one species with many regional variants but will likely be split into multiple species to form its own complex. There are also odds and ends species that as of yet are unique enough to not be grouped into a complex.

Aquaph8 · Jan 2, 2015

Thanks for that, I think this info in the right place could be really helpful for people or atleast give an idea when selecting wrasses. Now if we could get Hunter evolved to add something like this to his guide and then copy/paste in on to R2R for a sticky that would be awesome.

evolved · Jan 5, 2015

The "complexes" is a bit of an "advanced" topic, if you will, and as eatbreakfast has alluded to there isn't much for firm definition amongst them (at least nothing I'm aware of either). I could be inclined to split a couple he's listed, and even add an additional one or two to the list.

I'm not opposed to adding it to the guide, it's just a topic which will turn the causal reader glossy-eyed in a hurry.

Two reasons why I've always kept the write-up on 3reef: 1) Matt (3reef owner) expressed such wishes. Matt's a nice guy and I've always felt like we have a mutual respect. 2) It's simpler easier to maintain it in one place. Laziness, you might say.

Aquaph8 · Jan 5, 2015

I understand and really its you and eatbreakfast with the help of a couple others answering all the wrasse questions. I just thought it would be cool to have a place on R2R with some of the anwers for the folks who would rather peak at an article. As far as the complex thing goes its just something interesting to talk about and something I was unsure of on some of the species that aren't obvious. I dont mean for it be too "advanced" but more of a guide cause many of the species in the same complexes can have a similar personality, not always but its helpful to me at least.

AJQ69 · Jan 5, 2015

Aquaph8 said:
I understand and really its you and eatbreakfast with the help of a couple others answering all the wrasse questions. I just thought it would be cool to have a place on R2R with some of the answers for the folks who would rather peak at an article. As far as the complex thing goes its just something interesting to talk about and something I was unsure of on some of the species that aren't obvious. I dont mean for it be too "advanced" but more of a guide cause many of the species in the same complexes can have a similar personality, not always but its helpful to me at least.

That would be awesome!!
Thanks to all you guys (eatbreakfast,alpha & evolved) involved on this process:bigsmile:

saltnbees · Jan 10, 2015

any ideas he not invert safe for sure.

Greenstreet.1 · Jan 10, 2015

Looks like a dragon wrasse

townjas · Jan 10, 2015

If it is a dragon wrasse it is not reef safe

saltnbees · Jan 10, 2015

townjas said:
If it is a dragon wrasse it is not reef safe

Body shape look close to a dragon. It pirches and looks around eye balls move i mean. White stripe on face. Very agresive hes about 2" long and mouth is big as pencil round when its mouth is open. Its cool how he kind of walks on pectal fins

saltnbees · Jan 10, 2015

Oh dorsal fin is about 3/8" tall and white fading into green. Pink spot on uper part of gill flap thing

eatbreakfast · Jan 10, 2015

saltnbees said:
any ideas he not invert safe for sure.

This fish is not a wrasse at all, but rather is a type of blenny. It appears to be from the Genus Sebasticus, or a close relative thereof. The "walking" on the pectoral fins is a dead give away.