Reef Safe Wrasse Questions

msujohn · Mar 20, 2015

I have a 90 gallon reef tank (planning to be mostly LPS with a few SPS). I'd like to add 3 different Wrasse's to the tank. My goal is to get some unique colors (Red, Yellow, Orange, Pink). I'd like some help in what would be the best options. For the flashers, do I have to get both males and females for them to flash? Can I get 3 different wrasses (i.e. flame wrasse, melanarus, and red velvet fairy) or will they not show there true colors? Thanks for the help.

I currently have 2 clowns, longnose hawk, orchid dotty, midas blenny, and Kole tang.

GreatWhiteTang · Mar 20, 2015

Red head salon,. Meleranus work well together.. Mine never look twice at each other but im not sure a suggestion for a. 3rd

eatbreakfast · Mar 20, 2015

The species you mentioned should be fine just use a social acclimation box upon introduction.

Male flasher and fairy wrasses will display at other closely related males and do not need females to keep their coloring.

msujohn · Mar 20, 2015

eatbreakfast said:
The species you mentioned should be fine just use a social acclimation box upon introduction.

Male flasher and fairy wrasses will display at other closely related males and do not need females to keep their coloring.

If introduced at the same time do I still need an acclimation period?

eatbreakfast · Mar 20, 2015

No, if all introduced simultaneously no box is needed.

evolved · Mar 20, 2015

The only other thought I have to add is I would caution against a red velvet. They often get rather aggressive.

wangspeed · Mar 20, 2015

evolved said:
The only other thought I have to add is I would caution against a red velvet. They often get rather aggressive.

Mine (supermale sized) isn't too aggressive. He chases 2 of the smaller male fairy wrasses once in a while, but no nipping. He's held in check by an even larger lineatus though

4 in total in a 90. Tons of rock work though.

PostShawn · Mar 23, 2015

I also heard most of the reef safe wrasses will do fine together. My LFS's usually have a tank or two with a few different kinds. I currently have a melanarus and it's been one of the best fish I've ever had. Hides once in a while and I don't see it for a couple days but never picks on other fish or even my clean up crew. I've never had more then one wrasse but as soon as I upgrade to a larger tank I plan on another type of wrasse or two. Probably a flasher. I've had a flasher and a fairy at different times and they were great until they jumped out of my tanks even finding the only 1 inch hole on the top. I've learned that lesson with wrasses now. Tight lid or water not close to the top.

Keep us updated on what types you get. Good lucks with them.

milhous3er · Mar 23, 2015

I'd stay away from the Melanarus if you're looking for a reef safe wrasse. Your inverts will eventually become a snack over time. Anything considered a "fairy" wrasse will be reef safe though.

acroaddict · Mar 23, 2015

I absolutely love the look of Naoko's. They are gorgeous and get color patterns you normally wouldn't see in a fish. I would love to have a Naoko's, Blue Star Leopard, and a Tono's in my tank. That's my plan at least

4FordFamily · Mar 23, 2015

I have:
Scott's fairy (Cook Islands)
Exquisite fairy (Maldives)
Lubbocks fairy,
Red head solar,
Mccoskers flasher
Filamented flasher
Vroliks
Yellow coris
3 female leopard wrasses
Blue star leopard male
Blue star leopard female
Potters (leopard) wrasse

All in the same tank without issue. I did have a rare like green wrasse that attacked leopards that's removed. 95% of the time if added concurrently you'll have no issue and even if added at different times- more wrasses generally = less aggression.

In my tang tank I have another vroliks, a radiant wrasse and a cleaner wrasse without issue and in yet another I have a male banana wrasse, a red coris wrasse, a lime green wrasse and another cleaner without issue.

Mike&Terry · Mar 23, 2015

wangspeed said:
Mine (supermale sized) isn't too aggressive. He chases 2 of the smaller male fairy wrasses once in a while, but no nipping. He's held in check by an even larger lineatus though 4 in total in a 90. Tons of rock work though.

Agree with Hunter. Our first C. rubrisquamis was quite aggressive and had to be removed from our display for about 3 weeks to mellow out. He did calm down quite a bit after that, but still a bit more toward the aggressive side. Our current C. rubrisquamis (while the dominant cirrhilabrus male) has a much more peaceful demeaner.