Other wrasses comparable with yellow corris?

[b4tn]

I think I want another wrasse. What reef safe wrasses would be compatable with a yellow corris, one spot foxface, and a yellow tang?

 

[Rybren]

I think I want another wrasse. What reef safe wrasses would be compatable with a yellow corris, one spot foxface, and a yellow tang?

I love the red-lined wrasse- Halichoeres biocellatus. Its my favourite fish. I have one with both a yellow and green wrasse.

 

[CindyKz]

Depends on the size if your tank I guess. I think any of the flashers and fairies would be ok with emough space. )

 

[mattzang]

i also have biocellatus with chrysus and they're awesome. red line was in the tank a week before yellow, very light aggression day 1 (should've used acclimation box). ever since then they cruise the tank together getting their hunt on

 

[lolmatt]

100% depends on the size of your tank and how established the wrasse is. I have 6 halichoeres wrasses including h. chrysus, two macropharyngodon, and a harlequin tusk in a 180 with basically no aggression. I had a h. melanurus and h. chrysus in a 40 and tried adding h. biocellatus and the melanurus that's now fine in the 180 was so aggressive I had to remove the biocellatus.

Some suggestions on other wrasses in no particular order are radiant wrasse h. iridis, h. melanurus, m. ornatus, h. claudia, h. chloropterus, h. rubricephalus, bodianus bimaculatus, b. masudai, anampses neoguinaicus, or nearly any other halichoeres, macropharyngodon, or anampses wrasse.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Halichoeres is a catch-all genus, with some being appropriate to combine with H. chrysus, and some not. Generally, the species that stay under 6" will mix well. Biocellatus, timorensis, leucurus, argus, iridis, claudia, will mix well. Melanurus or chrysotaenia may be ok or a little too bossy, depending on tank size. Any Atlantic side Halichoeres get to aggressive, as do species such as hortulans and chloropterus.

Fairy, flasher, leopard, and Anampses species will work, though leopards and Anampses can be sensitive at first.

Lined wrasses of the genus Pseudocheilinus and hogfish are not good companions for yellow coris.

 

[lolmatt]

Smaller bodianus hogs like b. masudai are probably fine imo. As far as whether larger halichoeres are appropriate or not depends again on tank size. H. hortulanus for example (11") is probably fine with it in a 180 but very likely not ok in a 120. But overall I very much agree with you.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Even the small Bodianus can get too aggressive for a yellow coris over time. As they mature Bodianus aggression increases, particularly toward other labrids. The same holds true for the larger Halichoeres species, such as hortulanus and chloropterus, their aggression increases, especially directed at other wrasses.

 

[b4tn]

Wow, wasnt expecting such a big response. I have a lot of latin names to research. I have a four year old 4 foot 75 gallon with plenty of rock. The back of the tank has 3-4" of sand. The Yellow Corris has been in there the entire time and is probably 3-4"

 

[lolmatt]

I'd say it also depends on the size of the h. chrysus. Definitely wouldn't put a juvenile h. chrusus with an adult bodianus, but a well established male h. chrysus and a juvenile bodianus would not have long term aggression issues in a larger tank 120+ gallons IME. I kept b. bimaculatus in a 75 with m. meleagris and h melanurus and had no issues after they figured out the initial pecking order.

 

[lolmatt]

Wow, wasnt expecting such a big response. I have a lot of latin names to research. I have a four year old 4 foot 75 gallon with plenty of rock. The back of the tank has 3-4" of sand. The Yellow Corris has been in there the entire time and is probably 3-4"

Is the yellow wrasse (that's h. chrysus) male? If it were it'd have red steaks on its face and no false eyes on its fins. If so it's more likely to be aggressive to a new tank mate than if it's not turned yet. Either way don't put anything that's currently larger than it, nor anything that will get larger than it due to your tank size.

Best mates would be and leopard wrasse (genus macropharyngodon, with the ornate being easiest to keep imo ime) and other similarly sized halichoeres as I previously listed minus h. chloropterus and h. rubricephalus.

 

[eatbreakfast]

I'd say it also depends on the size of the h. chrysus. Definitely wouldn't put a juvenile h. chrusus with an adult bodianus, but a well established male h. chrysus and a juvenile bodianus would not have long term aggression issues in a larger tank 120+ gallons IME. I kept b. bimaculatus in a 75 with m. meleagris and h melanurus and had no issues after they figured out the initial pecking order.

Exceptions can happen, but more often than not Bodianus are problematic with smaller Halichoeres species. The situation you describe here may allow for the longest period of coexistence, but the day almost always comes when the Bodianus will try to usurp the position as the dominant labrid, often to the detriment to the more peaveful small Halichoeres. I have had to remove quite a few Bodianus from client's tanks because a candy hog or peppermint hog became a terror.

 

[lolmatt]

Exceptions can happen, but more often than not Bodianus are problematic with smaller Halichoeres species. The situation you describe here may allow for the longest period of coexistence, but the day almost always comes when the Bodianus will try to usurp the position as the dominant labrid, often to the detriment to the more peaveful small Halichoeres. I have had to remove quite a few Bodianus from client's tanks because a candy hog or peppermint hog became a terror.

Will definitely keep it in mind! Though I don't think I'll be able to avoid getting a b. masudai to add to my current set of wrasses. Hopefully the dispersed aggression will alleviate any would-be issues.

 

[b4tn]

Looks like he is male then. I saw a leapord wrasse at my LFS and fell in love. I just have three bright yellow fish, love wrasse and wanted to add a splash of color. I appreciate everyone's input.

 

[lolmatt]

That's a very small male, mine was 5-6" before it went male (and subsequently carpet surfed over an 18" canopy). If the leopard is small I suspect you'll have issues and I'd avoid getting another male. Otherwise should be ok.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Use a social acclimation box for a couple days to introduce any new sand burying wrasses to an established yellow coris wrasse. Yellow coris is among the most peaceful of Halichoeres, so is usually pretty tolerant of other wrasses.

 

[lolmatt]

Use a box with a light lid or the wrasse will just jump out of the box. I think acclimating boxes are a tough call for burying wrasses, makes mouth injuries likely because they'll try to bury and freak out in the box if something is eyeing them. Your best bet would be a critter carrier that you can put 2" of sand in and keep at the bottom of the tank with a rock in it.

 

[eatbreakfast]

I advise against sand in an acclimation box. First, getting used to the light schedule can put a new fish behind the 8ball, so to speak. Without sand it gets used to the routine much quicker. Secondly sand burying wrasses go into the sand when scared or intimidated. This defeats the purpose of using a social acclimation box, because the new wrasse doesn't get used to the dominant wrasse.

Providing cover is important, but not so much that the new fish can completely hide.

 

[b4tn]

I am leaning towards these ones. I am concerned about the expert only that Liveaquaria has noted for the Leopard and reef with caution on the Leucurus. But from what I am gathering I should look for a female thats same size or bigger than my Corris. The fairy wrasse would be cheap and easy but not as cool lol

Halichoeres leucurus - reef with Caution

Macropharyngodon meleagris - Expert only

Cirrhilabrus cyanopleura (Fairy) - Cheap and easy

 

[eatbreakfast]

I am leaning towards these ones. I am concerned about the expert only that Liveaquaria has noted for the Leopard and reef with caution on the Leucurus. But from what I am gathering I should look for a female thats same size or bigger than my Corris. The fairy wrasse would be cheap and easy but not as cool lol

Halichoeres leucurus - reef with Caution

Macropharyngodon meleagris - Expert only

Cirrhilabrus cyanopleura (Fairy) - Cheap and easy

Size of incoming fish doesn't matter too much, but smaller generally is better, as that is less likely to challenge the hierarchy, whereas larger specimens can challenge the existing wrasse for "top spot."

Leucurus is reef safe with caution to an equal degree as chrysus. They MAY go after small motile inverts, but usually leave them alone. And they are completely coral safe.

Leopards are expert only mostly because they handle shipping well and often come in with internal parasites. But once they settle in for a few weeks can be quite hardy. Having a mature tank als helps.