Need Advise! New 150gal stocklist // Wrasse groups possible?

[josvanmeer]

Hello all!

I currently have a 150 gallon tank coming my way and I want to start putting together ideas for a stocklist.

These are the fish I currently have and will move into the 150gal:

Current Stock:
- Yellow Tang (Juvenile)
- Melanarus Wrasse (Juvenile)
- 3x Green Chromis
- Fire Red Shrimp
- Ocellaris Clownfish (single since she killed her last pairing, not sure if I want to try to pair again)

OK, so here's the deal, I LOVE WRASSE. I love the way they swim, I love their colors, I love their personality.

So my idea was, to pick out two species of wrasse (besides the one I have currently) and make two groups and have them live together.
These two species don't get big; so bioload and space wise it's a thumbs up, afaik.

I have never kept multiple wrasse together, but doing some reading and for some of these peaceful wrasse species its not uncommon to keep them in a nicely matched group, but TWO of these groups?

I wanted to keep a 1 male and 3 female group of these two species:
- Blue Throat Fairy Wrasse
- Orange-Back Fairy Wrasse

Can I do this?

Besides those two groups I probably would want to add maybe a Foxface or a Copperband Butterfly (a more difficult one to keep but I have managed to train a dragonet into eating prepped food so I don't see why a copperband would be a problem)

I would like to hear y'alls thoughts.

Thanks in advance reefers!

 

[TangGang]

Hello all!

I currently have a 150 gallon tank coming my way and I want to start putting together ideas for a stocklist.

These are the fish I currently have and will move into the 150gal:

Current Stock:
- Yellow Tang (Juvenile)
- Melanarus Wrasse (Juvenile)
- 3x Green Chromis
- Fire Red Shrimp
- Ocellaris Clownfish (single since she killed her last pairing, not sure if I want to try to pair again)

OK, so here's the deal, I LOVE WRASSE. I love the way they swim, I love their colors, I love their personality.

So my idea was, to pick out two species of wrasse (besides the one I have currently) and make two groups and have them live together.
These two species don't get big; so bioload and space wise it's a thumbs up, afaik.

I have never kept multiple wrasse together, but doing some reading and for some of these peaceful wrasse species its not uncommon to keep them in a nicely matched group, but TWO of these groups?

I wanted to keep a 1 male and 3 female group of these two species:
- Blue Throat Fairy Wrasse
- Orange-Back Fairy Wrasse

Can I do this?

Besides those two groups I probably would want to add maybe a Foxface or a Copperband Butterfly (a more difficult one to keep but I have managed to train a dragonet into eating prepped food so I don't see why a copperband would be a problem)

I would like to hear y'alls thoughts.

Thanks in advance reefers!

I wouldn’t group wrasses like that. The reason being is both because females Orange-back fairy wrasses are slightly harder in my experience to obtain, so you might be searching for a while; and the other reason being is that there is a very strong chance in captivity that one of your females in the group will change into a male. You would very much hate this as the two males of the same species would fight and one would die.
If I was in your position I would definitely get females of different species of flasher and fairy wrasses. If you choose the right fairy wrasses, and introduce them using an acclimation box, you can have them coexist peacefully. Also flashers would work well with them. I would get female wrasses as they will change into a male the vast majority of the time. If you are looking for a place to decide how to have multiple fairy (Cirrilabrus) wrasses, this is the best place to determine (https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/c...feriority-need-not-apply-1st-revision.322326/)

 

[josvanmeer]

I wouldn’t group wrasses like that. The reason being is both because females Orange-back fairy wrasses are slightly harder in my experience to obtain, so you might be searching for a while; and the other reason being is that there is a very strong chance in captivity that one of your females in the group will change into a male. You would very much hate this as the two males of the same species would fight and one would die.
If I was in your position I would definitely get females of different species of flasher and fairy wrasses. If you choose the right fairy wrasses, and introduce them using an acclimation box, you can have them coexist peacefully. Also flashers would work well with them. I would get female wrasses as they will change into a male the vast majority of the time. If you are looking for a place to decide how to have multiple fairy (Cirrilabrus) wrasses, this is the best place to determine (https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/c...feriority-need-not-apply-1st-revision.322326/)

Thank you for that video!
I watched most of it, and this just kills the entire idea. Back to the drawing board.

 

[josvanmeer]

Im going to bump this up, with the mission now for peeps to chime in and hint at what mix of wrasse I should keep, I would like to keep a total or 4 wrasse; preferable decent size like 4 or 5” wrasse.

I really like Powder Blue tangs but I have read so far they are extremely prone to disease? Can anyone chime in on keeping powder blues?

 

[TangGang]

Im going to bump this up, with the mission now for peeps to chime in and hint at what mix of wrasse I should keep, I would like to keep a total or 4 wrasse; preferable decent size like 4 or 5” wrasse.

I really like Powder Blue tangs but I have read so far they are extremely prone to disease? Can anyone chime in on keeping powder blues?

I’m not sure how much you are willing to spend, as that changes what you are able to purchase. Personally, if I had to get 4 I would get either a red head Solon fairy (C. Solorensis) or a orange back fairy (C. aurantidorsalis). Now one of those would be the dominant wrasse of the tank. Then I would get an exquisite fairy wrasse (C. exquisitus) and a pintail fairy wrasse (C. Isosceles). The last wrasse I would get would be a flasher, probably a mcCoskers flasher wrasse. Those are all the easiest wrasses to keep, the cheapest, and they would work well together. Stay away from leopard or pencil wrasse unless you can see them in person and are able to tell if they are eating and are clear of mouth damage. As for the powder blue, yes they are very prone to ich and velvet because of their thin slime coats. I wouldn’t get one, try a tomini tang or captive bred yellow tang.

 

[josvanmeer]

I’m not sure how much you are willing to spend, as that changes what you are able to purchase. Personally, if I had to get 4 I would get either a red head Solon fairy (C. Solorensis) or a orange back fairy (C. aurantidorsalis). Now one of those would be the dominant wrasse of the tank. Then I would get an exquisite fairy wrasse (C. exquisitus) and a pintail fairy wrasse (C. Isosceles). The last wrasse I would get would be a flasher, probably a mcCoskers flasher wrasse. Those are all the easiest wrasses to keep, the cheapest, and they would work well together. Stay away from leopard or pencil wrasse unless you can see them in person and are able to tell if they are eating and are clear of mouth damage. As for the powder blue, yes they are very prone to ich and velvet because of their thin slime coats. I wouldn’t get one, try a tomini tang or captive bred yellow tang.

I already have the yellow tang, and they are hardy so I like those. I have seen tanks having no problems having a Purple and a Yellow tang together even though they are of the same genus.

Maybe I should try that. I know the Tomini tangs are not as hardy as others either, but I might be wrong on that. I don't exactly like the coloring on those tangs.

Im gonna dig a little deeper in those wrasse you typed up.

Still looking for suggestions, if others want to chime in.

 

[josvanmeer]

I’m not sure how much you are willing to spend, as that changes what you are able to purchase. Personally, if I had to get 4 I would get either a red head Solon fairy (C. Solorensis) or a orange back fairy (C. aurantidorsalis). Now one of those would be the dominant wrasse of the tank. Then I would get an exquisite fairy wrasse (C. exquisitus) and a pintail fairy wrasse (C. Isosceles). The last wrasse I would get would be a flasher, probably a mcCoskers flasher wrasse. Those are all the easiest wrasses to keep, the cheapest, and they would work well together. Stay away from leopard or pencil wrasse unless you can see them in person and are able to tell if they are eating and are clear of mouth damage. As for the powder blue, yes they are very prone to ich and velvet because of their thin slime coats. I wouldn’t get one, try a tomini tang or captive bred yellow tang.

How does this combo of wrasse sound? This includes my melanarus wrasse which I already own.

Orange back fairy wrasse
Exquisite fairy wrasse
Dusky wrasse
McCosker's Flasher Wrasse

Maybe @evolved can chip in.

 

[TangGang]

How does this combo of wrasse sound? This includes my melanarus wrasse which I already own.

Orange back fairy wrasse
Exquisite fairy wrasse
Dusky wrasse
McCosker's Flasher Wrasse

Maybe @evolved can chip in.

That sounds like a very good list. For the extra tang that you wanted to get what are some that you like? Because then it would be much easier for me to give you advice on it rather than me listing some for you. Also I have a tomini, and I can confirm that they are actually pretty hardy. Mine is very hardy and as it matures has gotten that dark coloration that looks very nice with the bright orange highlights. But if you don’t like the look of them definitely don’t get one.

 

[Metalhead670]

I was gonna recommend the blue throat or sargassum trigger until i saw the shrimp in your stocking list. Reef safe for the most part except for inverts.

A bicolor angel would add color if your doing a FOWLR set up.

 

[josvanmeer]

That sounds like a very good list. For the extra tang that you wanted to get what are some that you like? Because then it would be much easier for me to give you advice on it rather than me listing some for you. Also I have a tomini, and I can confirm that they are actually pretty hardy. Mine is very hardy and as it matures has gotten that dark coloration that looks very nice with the bright orange highlights. But if you don’t like the look of them definitely don’t get one.

I obviously don't want to overstock the tank, but I can handle a heavy bioload. So I was thinking getting another large fish besides a yellow tang. I was very interested in a Copperband Butterfly or something that is considered fairly reef safe with caution is all good with me. I understand they are hard to get one to survive in your tank.

 

[josvanmeer]

so far this is what I got:

Ocellaris Clownfish (possibly another to pair with)
Yellow Tang
Melanarus Wrasse
3x Chromis
Fire Red Shrimp
Orange back fairy wrasse
Exquisite fairy wrasse
Dusky wrasse
McCosker's Flasher Wrasse

I am still looking for another fish that can match the Yellow tang's size, for balance in the visual appeal.

 

[josvanmeer]

Maybe adding Purple Tang/Copperband Butterfly to the list.