Lion vs Wrasse?

[TheLoneFish]

Hello saltwaterfish fans,

I am quite new to the forums here and needed some advice for compatible tank mates with my wrasse. Currently, I have a 75 gallon setup with a Fluval FX-5 running as the pump. Also, I have about an 7-8 inch Engineer Goby that has been in the tank for about a year now, and I have recently purchased a 5-6 inch Lunare/Moon Wrasse about a week ago and need some advice on some fish that are compatible with it. I have re-aquascaped the tank to add more swimming room and caves for ample swimming room. Neither the Wrasse nor the Goby have fought at all and are both eating pretty well.

I have a substantial liking to the Antennata Lionfish and was wondering if it would be okay to be with the Lunare Wrasse. I would get the Lionfish around 4-6 inches big to be similar in size. There are plenty of hiding spots and cover in the tank for him to hide in. Are there other Lionfish that would be better for a compatible match? If a Lionfish wont do, what are good fish that can go with the wrasse and can defend itself? Would a Niger Triggerfish be better suitable with the wrasse? Or a different type of trigger? LED lightning is currently being used as the light source and the water is fairly pristine. I understand that most charts say caution, but with any fish it can lead different stories. I haven't found really any sort of lionfish to wrasse reference on how well they do together.

If you've had any luck with this pair, please reply with what has happened with it. I do not want to put in the Lionfish and have the Wrasse take out the eyes or pick at the tail profusely. My dad had a Twinspot wrasse and 7 Triggerfish in his tank with his Dwarf Lionfish. Fights that ever occurred were the triggers fighting. Please reply with your answer.

In Best Regards,
TheLoneFish

 

[FL_Reefer]

The lion will most likely eat anything smaller then them eventually,

 

[TheLoneFish]

Well, The wrasse is pretty big for the lion to eat. I'm worried if the wrasse might pick on the lion though if I get one.

 

[FL_Reefer]

I really don't think that anything will pick on the lion. I had one for over a year and he was top dog in the tank but still a very reserved fish. You will be surprised what it can eat. Also do u have a top for your tank? They can jump like dolphins! I would go with a trigger (witch I also had in my predator tank) really cool fish! My lion are everything that swam in front of it. There ambush predators. I just personally wouldn't risk it. And also thinking into the future, no more smaller fish added later.

 

[TheLoneFish]

Right, I just needed some insight on compatible fish because I know these types of Wrasses can be fairly aggressive. Yes, I do have a top for the tank so no worry about that. I have also had triggers before, a Niger, two Picassos and a blue-line. They are truly amazing and their personalities are just like dogs. I want to maintain larger fish for this tank because they are so stunning. Also, risk what? the trigger or the lionfish?

 

[FL_Reefer]

If your going to keep all larger fish in the tank then there will be no worries of the lion in the future. Try it out, see how the interact. Each fish can be different. My lion are everything that was smaller than it but you never know. Why not get both then? Lol

 

[diver4life1992]

I had Lunare wrasse and a Lionfish in he same tank many years ago. It didn't go well for the Lionfish. The wrasse tore his fins to shreds. I eventually found a new home for the wrasse.

 

[evolved]

A lunare wrasse in a 75g tank is quite likely to be a terror to much anything else.

 

[TheLoneFish]

I decided not to get the lionfish because of the probability of the wrasse picking at its fins. However, I did get a 5-6 inch picasso trigger and they are both doing really good at the moment. They both eat really well and the trigger took over as top dog in the tank for now. He as at the LFS for a little over a month and is really fat. I think this was a better choice, I may introduce a niger trigger into the tank in the future.

 

[Marshall O]

Hate to break it to you, but a Picasso Trigger needs a much larger tank than a 75. LiveAquaria suggest a 180 minimum, and I feel that is appropriate. Same with a Niger Trigger. Do you have a larger tank you will be moving these fish to?

 

[TheLoneFish]

My father had many triggers in his fish tank and they lived for years and grew to about 7-8 inches each. His tank was a 125g with a wetdry. I might upgrade to a larger tank. There is plenty of water movement and filtration throughout the tank.

 

[TheLoneFish]

I have seen a lot of people with triggers like these in tanks around 55-100g and they were thriving in there home. With plenty of live rock and current, they should be fine

 

[schlitz]

I have a Lunar Wrasse, a Volitan Lion and a Picasso Trigger in a 120 gallon tank (along with a Snowflake Eel, Sailfin Tang and a pair of Clarki Clowns). They all leave each other alone. As long as they are well fed they will not pick on each other. The eel is the only one I have ever seen go after a fish but that is only when they take food from right in front of him. All of my fish (and me!) stay away from the Lion.

 

[TheLoneFish]

Yeah, the wrasse and picasso leave each other alone, unless the wrasse tries to take the trigger's food away. They always hang out with eachother begging for more food when I walk into the room.