Starting out with Wrasses plan

[Ocelaris]

I'd like to get started with wrasses, but I'm struggling with some logistics of the process and hoping for some opinions on how other people handle it. I don't want to mis-step, or pick the wrong fish at the store because of limited selection etc... Any tips for getting started slowly/safely?

Fish desired (in this order)

Leopard wrasse
1-2 Cirrhilabrus fairy wrasse
1-2 Paracheilinus flasher wrasse
Halichoeres Chrysurus (yellow coris Wrasse)
anthias borbonius (blotchy anthias) obviously not a wrasse, but they're on my wish list, so thought I'd throw that in there

The problem is quarantine is expensive and time consuming, so I try to do up to 4-5 fish in my 40 breeder, is that going to be an issue if I have all the requirements met, like sand for the sand sleeping fish?

My typical quarantine procedure is a month with tank transfer, 2-3 rounds of prazi/metronidazole (api general cure most often), 1-2 dips in formalin (though may switch to acriflavine), and tank transfer method. Food in quarantine is typically frozen, but I'll try and start them on live brine shrimp and black worms.

Tank: 110 gallon 60x24x18, 10 months old, lots of live rock, ~40 gallon sump
Stocking: Yellow tang, 2x ocellaris, 2x genicanthus watanabe. mixed SPS/LPS
Filtration: large skimmer, ~10 gallon chaeto fuge

I really want a leopard wrasse over a yellow coris, but I'm interested in the yellow coris cleanup habits, are they going to go hungry or compete over pods?

There is a Cirrhilabrus chart, but I was reading in some article that flasher wrasses also may have compatability issues?

I've been reading for a few weeks on and off on the wrasse threads, but still am not comfortable enough to go to a store and pick out the right fish based on comparability and temperament. I picked up Fairy and Rainbow Wrasses: A Comprehensive Guide to Selected Labroids, by Rudie Kuiter, but it didn't have a lot of details on comparability, so although it is a great reference, wasn't very easy to get started.



Cirrhilabrus compatability chart:

https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/cirrhilabrus-complexes-inferiority-need-not-apply.17/

 

[troiusmaximus]

I have two fairy wrasses (Lubbock's and Orange back) and a Carpenter's flasher wrasse. Lubbock's was established and added the other two at the same time some time later. The Lubbock's didn't like the orange back at all and I feared the orange back would not make it. I trapped the Lubbock's and put him on timeout for two days in an acclimation box inside the display. It gave the orange back time and space to get a meal or two in piece and calmed the Lubbock's down to the point that when I let him out he slowed down chasing the orange back. In addition, the flasher established the high position on the pecking order and the Lubbock's has to watch his back some, which probably helps the orange back.

In addition, I used the mirror trick which seemed to further lessen the aggression. Things are stable now after a few weeks.

I would say an acclimation box is a good tool, whenever you add any potentially competing wrasse.

 

[eatbreakfast]

The plan should work, though the specific fairy wrasse species you choose will determine the compatibility.

Adding multiple fairy and flasher wrasses simultaneously diffuses aggression, as does utilizing a social acclimation box to introduce new wrasses to existing ones.

Skip the formalin and acriflavin dip on the wrasses.

 

[Ocelaris]

Thanks, I just need to familiarize myself with the genus more. Is there an issue if I get them over a week or two and put them in quarantine, and then start the quarantine month? I'm just concerned about how fast they establish territory in the smaller tank. I'll have to get a socialization box ahead of time as I think I'll start everyone out in the quarantine tank until I reach the desired number and then start the 1 month quarantine, but I imagine it may be a week or two before really getting everyone in place.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Thanks, I just need to familiarize myself with the genus more. Is there an issue if I get them over a week or two and put them in quarantine, and then start the quarantine month? I'm just concerned about how fast they establish territory in the smaller tank. I'll have to get a socialization box ahead of time as I think I'll start everyone out in the quarantine tank until I reach the desired number and then start the 1 month quarantine, but I imagine it may be a week or two before really getting everyone in place.

If you get them over a period of a couple of weeks, I would recommend dividing the tank until you have them all, then remove the dividers when you begin the process.

 

[Mpierce]

I would use an acclimation box if needed.

 

[Ocelaris]

Great thanks, good idea on the divider. I'll consider the acclimation box a must have ahead of the plan.

I plan on having both a yellow coris (Halichoeres) and a Leopard Wrasses (Macropharyngodon) which are sand sleeping wrasses, is my sand sufficient or am I going to need more and/or finer substrate?

I inherited the sand, and there are quite a few hermit crab shells and larger particles which I could remove.

Thanks!

 

[eatbreakfast]

Great thanks, good idea on the divider. I'll consider the acclimation box a must have ahead of the plan.

I plan on having both a yellow coris (Halichoeres) and a Leopard Wrasses (Macropharyngodon) which are sand sleeping wrasses, is my sand sufficient or am I going to need more and/or finer substrate?

I inherited the sand, and there are quite a few hermit crab shells and larger particles which I could remove.

Thanks!

Dividing the tank is just while adding.

Your sand is fine.