Looking for wrasse recommendations

[aws2266]

I'm looking to add a wrasse to my 120g aquarium. It's just starting out but it will be a mixed reef with a small shrimp(pistol shrimp). I'm going to have a deeper sandbed so I'd like one that gets down in it. There is also a lawnmower blenny and watchman goby. I've read about a few but wanted to hear from you all which ones you think will do well and what your preference is?

 

[HeyLookItsCaps]

I like melanarus or mystery

 

[courtneyhawkins]

I had a wardley and I feel like I never saw him, he was ALWAYS down in the sand, unfortunately he didn't make it, so idk if maybe there was something wrong with him, but from what I read, not seeing them for extended periods of time seemed pretty common for them

 

[Avengerx77]

I would go with a Melanarus or Yellow Coris, both are very nice looking and very active

 

[i cant think]

I'm looking to add a wrasse to my 120g aquarium. It's just starting out but it will be a mixed reef with a small shrimp(pistol shrimp). I'm going to have a deeper sandbed so I'd like one that gets down in it. There is also a lawnmower blenny and watchman goby. I've read about a few but wanted to hear from you all which ones you think will do well and what your preference is?

the 5 genuses I will mention are the common genuses to be seen in captivity (And the ones that can be housed with eachother)
Haha.. get ready for a wide list of them:

- Cirrhilabrus lubbocki
- Cirrhilabrus naokoae
- Cirrhilabrus africanus
- Cirrhilabrus lunatus
- Cirrhilabrus rubeus
- Cirrhilabrus socialis
- Cirrhilabrus lineatus
- Cirrhilabrus isosceles
- Cirrhilabrus jordani
- Cirrhilabrus pylei
- Cirrhilabrus roseafascia
- Cirrhilabrus exquisitus
- Cirrhilabrus claire
- Cirrhilabrus earlei
- Cirrhilabrus aquamarinus
- Cirrhilabrus chalasai
- Cirrhilabrus filamentosus
I could go on for years with cirrhilabrus (These are also called the fairy wrasses) so let’s go onto another genus
- Halichoeres iridis
- Halchoeres cosmetus
- Halichoeres nebulosus
- Halichoeres richmondi
- Halichoeres timorensis
- Halichoeres melanurus
- Halichoeres chrysus
- Halichoeres lapillus
These are one of the three genuses I will mention that are sand sleepers
- Paracheilinus angulatus
- Paracheilinus attenuatus
- Paracheilinus octotaenia
- Paracheilinus flavianalis
- Paracheilinus mccoskeri
- Paracheilinus carpenteri
- Paracheilinus lineopunctatus
- Paracheilinus cyaneus
- Paracheilinus filamentosus
This genus is a rock sleeping genus (Often known as the flasher wrasses)
- Anampses femininus (This is the hardest fish of this genus to keep)
- Anampses neoguinaicus
- Anampses chyrsocephalus (This is an endemic wrasse to Hawaii)
- Anampses lineatus
- Anampses twistii
- Anampses caeruleopunctatus
- Anampses meleagrides
These are the second of the 3 Sand sleepers I will mention (Often known as the Tamarin wrasses). This genus is the hardest of the wrasse genuses to keep, mainly from how sensitive they are to water spikes. These last two genuses (Including Anampses) need well seeded tanks. Now for the last genus.
- Macropharyngodon bipartitus
- Macropharyngodon ornatus
- Macropharyngodon nigrosensis
- Macropharyngodon meleagris
- Macropharyngodon kuiteri
- Macropharyngodon moyeri
- Macropharyngodon geoffroyi
- Macropharyngodon cyanoguttatus
This genus is the third of the three sand sleepers I mentioned, they also need seeded tanks to scavenge all day - Along with most of the more shy ones needing relatively peaceful tank mates. These are the wrasse that get called the Leopard wrasses.

I haven’t taken out expensive wrasse because we are probably in two different countries, so our prices for the fish would be different.

 

[jskidds2294]

I'm looking to add a wrasse to my 120g aquarium. It's just starting out but it will be a mixed reef with a small shrimp(pistol shrimp). I'm going to have a deeper sandbed so I'd like one that gets down in it. There is also a lawnmower blenny and watchman goby. I've read about a few but wanted to hear from you all which ones you think will do well and what your preference is?

I’d go with the Red Velvet Fairy Wrasse, or the Splendid Pintail Fairy Wrasse..

 

[aws2266]

I like melanarus or mystery

Those two are definitely on my list now. Beutiful

 

[jskidds2294]

Those two are definitely on my list now. Beutiful

Word of warning for the mystery, it has a mean streak to it like the 6 line.

 

[i cant think]

Those two are definitely on my list now. Beutiful

If you want the mystery with other wrasse I recommend adding it after you sorted out your other wrasse stocking since if they are established before other wrasse they can be aggressive and sometimes killers

 

[Bars]

If you can find a timorensis wrasse, I'd definitely recommend those! I came across one by accident and it has been my absolute favorite fish so far. Tons of personality and a real stunner. I believe they're not that common, as I have never seen them for sale before. It is however a real snail murderer. Anything new gets viciously attacked and killed. He doesn't touch the trochus and nerites though.

H. chrysus is great too and again very pretty. Mine isn't as snail aggressive, although she destroys nassarius snails.

I just love Halichoeres wrasses. Usually very pretty and great fun to watch. They scan the entire tank all day for something to eat. Haven't had issues with them being aggressive towards other fish either, not even towards other wrasses.

Bit of an old picture of my timo, he's even prettier now!

 

[ChaosAquaculture]

Two of my favorites are the yellow chorus and the melanarus - kali

 

[nereefpat]

You're getting lots of recommendations for wrasses that don't go in sand. Mystery wrasses, fairy wrasses, and flasher wrasses won't go into the sand. Mystery wrasses are mean...I don't think you will be happy with one in the long run.

H. chrysus and melanurus were suggested. Those are both great.

BTW, the plural of genus is genera.

 

[i cant think]

the 5 genuses I will mention are the common genuses to be seen in captivity (And the ones that can be housed with eachother)
Haha.. get ready for a wide list of them:

- Cirrhilabrus lubbocki
- Cirrhilabrus naokoae
- Cirrhilabrus africanus
- Cirrhilabrus lunatus
- Cirrhilabrus rubeus
- Cirrhilabrus socialis
- Cirrhilabrus lineatus
- Cirrhilabrus isosceles
- Cirrhilabrus jordani
- Cirrhilabrus pylei
- Cirrhilabrus roseafascia
- Cirrhilabrus exquisitus
- Cirrhilabrus claire
- Cirrhilabrus earlei
- Cirrhilabrus aquamarinus
- Cirrhilabrus chalasai
- Cirrhilabrus filamentosus
I could go on for years with cirrhilabrus (These are also called the fairy wrasses) so let’s go onto another genus
- Halichoeres iridis
- Halchoeres cosmetus
- Halichoeres nebulosus
- Halichoeres richmondi
- Halichoeres timorensis
- Halichoeres melanurus
- Halichoeres chrysus
- Halichoeres lapillus
These are one of the three genuses I will mention that are sand sleepers
- Paracheilinus angulatus
- Paracheilinus attenuatus
- Paracheilinus octotaenia
- Paracheilinus flavianalis
- Paracheilinus mccoskeri
- Paracheilinus carpenteri
- Paracheilinus lineopunctatus
- Paracheilinus cyaneus
- Paracheilinus filamentosus
This genus is a rock sleeping genus (Often known as the flasher wrasses)
- Anampses femininus (This is the hardest fish of this genus to keep)
- Anampses neoguinaicus
- Anampses chyrsocephalus (This is an endemic wrasse to Hawaii)
- Anampses lineatus
- Anampses twistii
- Anampses caeruleopunctatus
- Anampses meleagrides
These are the second of the 3 Sand sleepers I will mention (Often known as the Tamarin wrasses). This genus is the hardest of the wrasse genuses to keep, mainly from how sensitive they are to water spikes. These last two genuses (Including Anampses) need well seeded tanks. Now for the last genus.
- Macropharyngodon bipartitus
- Macropharyngodon ornatus
- Macropharyngodon nigrosensis
- Macropharyngodon meleagris
- Macropharyngodon kuiteri
- Macropharyngodon moyeri
- Macropharyngodon geoffroyi
- Macropharyngodon cyanoguttatus
This genus is the third of the three sand sleepers I mentioned, they also need seeded tanks to scavenge all day - Along with most of the more shy ones needing relatively peaceful tank mates. These are the wrasse that get called the Leopard wrasses.

I haven’t taken out expensive wrasse because we are probably in two different countries, so our prices for the fish would be different.

Genera not genuses- me getting confused with “es” usually hinting to multiples

 

[i cant think]

H. chrysus and melanurus were suggested. Those are both great.

Yes, they are good wrasse to have (Specifically for unwanted creatures/Creatures in the wrong place because in reality they’re not pests they’re just untrained wild animals).

Also, if you want just sand sleeping wrasses then you’re limited to the genera:
- Coris,
- Halichoeres,
- Anampses,
- Macropharyngodon,
As they’re the most common sand sleepers in captivity, the other genera aren’t as commonly brought into captivity.

 

[bnord]

I second the Timor wrasse recommendation. I never had one till the one I have an its behavior is model, tho do not see it looking for pests as well as a 6 line, however have had a tame 6 line an AH 6-line. Might be because I have no pests...smile
Melanurus is a safe bet and common in the shops. Color variants of Leopards are in my experience safe bets

 

[bnord]

my Timor swims up stream in the flow, then arches to show off false eyespots and cruses back in the stream - good entertainment
so would characterize the one I have as more open water and a 6 line as more a crevice dweller

 

[Not an IT guy]

Earmuff > all

 

[i cant think]

Earmuff > all

I’m surprised this wasn’t mentioned sooner, I left it out of my Halichoeres recommendations because I thought someone else would take it
Also, I didn’t mention it however my favourite of the Halichoeres wrasses is the Halichoeres iridis (Radiant wrasse). Here’s a photo of mine, shes Atleast 3” at the moment.

and a photo of a different Iridis under whites

 

[HeyLookItsCaps]

My mystery wrasse was super chill and friendly, guess I got lucky