Pretty peaceful wrasse

[jasonrusso]

I recently had to remove a bicolor angel for being a bully. He was picking on my dwarf lionfish and angler. I'm looking for a wrasse that will not have the same behavior.

I like fairy wrasse, but I never realized that there are so many variants. Some say peaceful, some say semi-agressive.

What's a pretty wrasse that will get about 5 inches or more (like I said, I have a lionfish) and won't pick.

I have a puffer, tomini tang, foxface, lion, angler, Harelquin tusk, and a dwarf eel. The angel was the only one who picked on anyone.

I also have a slight fear that the tusk will kill it. I had a big tusk previously that killed all wrasses (six line and melanarus) that I put in the tank. This one is still a small juvenile so I'm not too concerned and I have an acclimation box now.

 

[jasonrusso]

I really like the Labout's Fairy wrasse

 

[Jesterrace]

I really like the Labout's Fairy wrasse

Labout's are nice but super pricey and they can get grumpy as they get older. @ the OP, you can look at the Halichoeres Wrasses (ie Melanurus, Yellow, Red Lined, Christmas) or if you want a good fairy wrasse in the size range you mentioned, I would definitely look into an Exquisite as they are gorgeous and pretty well behaved:

https://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+1378+318&pcatid=318

 

[Terri Caton]

I have a Mystery Wrasse and he’s one of the best behaved fish in the tank.

 

[jasonrusso]

Labout's are nice but super pricey and they can get grumpy as they get older. @ the OP, you can look at the Halichoeres Wrasses (ie Melanurus, Yellow, Red Lined, Christmas) or if you want a good fairy wrasse in the size range you mentioned, I would definitely look into an Exquisite as they are gorgeous and pretty well behaved:

https://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+1378+318&pcatid=318

I was looking at one of those as well.

$100 more isn't really that big of a deal long term. I'd rather pay a bit more than regret it later, but if they get grumpy then I may not be interested.

 

[jasonrusso]

How about these?

Scott's Velvet Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus scottorum) - Aqua Locker

The Scott's Velvet Wrasse, Cirrhilabrus scottorum, is also known as the Scott's Multicolor Wrasse. They should be kept in a tanks with plenty of rock work.

aqualocker.com

 

[Waters]

Just be careful with the Tusk.....I have to remove mine due to not being able to add any other wrasses. That was just my experience though.....I am sure it is a fish by fish basis.

 

[jasonrusso]

Just be careful with the Tusk.....I have to remove mine due to not being able to add any other wrasses. That was just my experience though.....I am sure it is a fish by fish basis.

As I said, my old tusk killed 2 wrasse immediately (only wrasse, never bothered anything else). I'm hoping that because this one is a juvenile it may not be too aggressive

 

[Waters]

As I said, my old tusk killed 2 wrasse immediately (only wrasse, never bothered anything else. I'm hoping that because this one is a juvenile it may not be too aggressive

Ahhh.....I missed that in your original post. Mine was fine as a juvenile but turned mean as he matured.

 

[jasonrusso]

Ahhh.....I missed that in your original post. Mine was fine as a juvenile but turned mean as he matured.

It was actually quite surprising. I added several fish over the years, he NEVER bothered anything. I added melanarus wrasse that I found dead a week later (didn't know why) and I watched him obsessively chase and nip a big sixline for 3 days (I was hoping that it was an initiation that would stop) until he got it.

It was so weird because they don't look alike at all. It's also a little know behavior of the tusk. I know now and I guess only people who have had one know.

 

[Waters]

It was actually quite surprising. I added several fish over the years, he NEVER bothered anything. I added melanarus wrasse that I found dead a week later (didn't know why) and I watched him obsessively chase and nip a big sixline for 3 days (I was hoping that it was an initiation that would stop) until he got it.

It was so weird because they don't look alike at all. It's also a little know behavior of the tusk. I know now and I guess only people who have had one know.

I am starting to see a pattern.......I have a Kole Tang that chases nobody except a recently added Melanarus. Maybe that species just rubs fish the wrong way

 

[saltyhog]

The tusk could be a problem in the future with any wrasse added. Only time will tell. Fairy wrasses of any species shouldn't really be a problem with your present fish, their aggressiveness is primarily with other wrasses. Remember all of them are individuals. Exquisites are supposed to be very peaceful but mine is pretty aggressive at times.

If you are going to add multiple fairy wrasses this article by Hunter will be a great guide to picking compatible species. Use that acclimation box regardless!

Cirrhilabrus Complexes: Inferiority Need Not Apply (1st Revision)

Cirrhilabrus, the “Fairy Wrasses”, are one of the most elegant, active, and colorful reef fish. Their appeal in a reef tank is common to many, but not all have a well-rounded understanding of the compatibility amongst them. Enter the notion of “complexes”: groupings of very closely related...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[nereefpat]

How about these?

Scott's Velvet Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus scottorum) - Aqua Locker

The Scott's Velvet Wrasse, Cirrhilabrus scottorum, is also known as the Scott's Multicolor Wrasse. They should be kept in a tanks with plenty of rock work.

aqualocker.com

Skip that one. The are aggressive and don't keep their color in captivity.

 

[jasonrusso]

Skip that one. The are aggressive and don't keep their color in captivity.

That's too bad, the Australian is striking

 

[jasonrusso]

The tusk could be a problem in the future with any wrasse added. Only time will tell. Fairy wrasses of any species shouldn't really be a problem with your present fish, their aggressiveness is primarily with other wrasses. Remember all of them are individuals. Exquisites are supposed to be very peaceful but mine is pretty aggressive at times.

If you are going to add multiple fairy wrasses this article by Hunter will be a great guide to picking compatible species. Use that acclimation box regardless!

Cirrhilabrus Complexes: Inferiority Need Not Apply (1st Revision)

Cirrhilabrus, the “Fairy Wrasses”, are one of the most elegant, active, and colorful reef fish. Their appeal in a reef tank is common to many, but not all have a well-rounded understanding of the compatibility amongst them. Enter the notion of “complexes”: groupings of very closely related...

www.reef2reef.com

Just planning on adding one wrasse and a blenny.

 

[CuzzA]

Something seems to be overlooked here, guys. The harlequin tusk is a wrasse. It likely views other wrasses as competition in a smaller tank.

 

[jasonrusso]

Something seems to be overlooked here, guys. The harlequin tusk is a wrasse. It likely views other wrasses as competition in a smaller tank.

That's what I believe to be true. I'm hoping that in a 220 gallon tank and the tusk still being a juvenile it won't be an issue. That's also why I am planning on using the acclimation box.

 

[jasonrusso]

Let's ask this, if not a wrasse, what other non angel or tangs can I add?

 

[Jesterrace]

Skip that one. The are aggressive and don't keep their color in captivity.

Agreed, for folks who like the scott's for color I recommend the exquisite as it offers a similar color pattern in a much better behaved fish and is cheaper to boot.

 

[jasonrusso]

Pulled the trigger on this one. It won't ship until after Christmas which was a concern of mine. I didn't want UPS to screw up the shipment, yet I didn't want someone else to buy this one. It is a divers den fish.