Stocking suggestions!

[xWascallyWabbit]

Cirrhilabrus scottorum is a 50/50 species… some love it some hate it and some just go from what they read (Whether it’s good or bad). I have had experience with bite this species and their close relative, Cirrhilabrus melanomarginatus (Pictured below).

My experience with Melanomarginatus has been that they’re very laid back. These guys don’t really follow their reputation that Scottorum has given them. Scottorum is a species that I’ve had both good and bad experiences with, I find the Aussies are more laid back than the Fiji and Cook Island specimens are. Both of these are larger species so you will want to get them as juveniles or females and eventually pass them on to someone with a 4’ tank. Also add them as the last wrasse so you don’t risk the aggression that some experience.

Excellent advice. I will have to reach out and see their origin.
What information can you provide on the earmuff wrasses?

 

[i cant think]

As in get both a male and female? Do they have a great interaction or is it better for their health?

It’s better going for just one specimen to avoid the risks (I have an Article on both the Halichoeres and Cirrhilabrus genera), these guys all turn male in captivity and unlike Macropharyngodon and Anampses their transition phase in captivity can be very predictable. This also goes for Paracheilinus and Halichoeres.

 

[kingoftheHiLLpeople]

It’s better going for just one specimen to avoid the risks (I have an Article on both the Halichoeres and Cirrhilabrus genera), these guys all turn male in captivity and unlike Macropharyngodon and Anampses their transition phase in captivity can be very predictable. This also goes for Paracheilinus and Halichoeres.

I thought it was a hierarchical transition. So 1 existing male w/ a female would prevent transition?

 

[i cant think]

Excellent advice. I will have to reach out and see their origin.
What information can you provide on the earmuff wrasses?

Generally, in terms of large Halichoeres these guys are extremely mellow. This is a species that can easily be mixed with small Halichoeres without needing an escape plan.
Chances are you’ll get this species as a Juvenile which will help if you want other Halichoeres. I would personally throw a Halichoeres iridis into the mix, here’s an older photo of mine.

I bought this guy as a juvenile and he matured female. I also have a Halichoeres chloropterus in the tank (Not recommended by many, and I wouldn’t do this species in your tank) again, bought as a juvenile and then he matured female and now I have all male Wrasses except the 4 in my Nano.

 

[i cant think]

I thought it was a hierarchical transition. So 1 existing male w/ a female would prevent transition?

Many think this and unfortunately it’s not true. I used to have two female Halichoeres and now I have a male and a transitioning male. It’s strange how some wrasses have such unpredictable transitions and you can pair them but the ones we want to pair have very predictable transitions. Here’s my transitioning Chloropterus. I will warn you;
My build thread is missing the warning of “Dangerous mix”. I get away with A lot more than others do and none of us understand why other than my luck being through the roof.

 

[i cant think]

Here’s two of my three fairies that I love, I’m sure Kingofthehill will know which of my fairies is missing.
First is my Indonesian variant of Cirrhilabrus lubbocki and the second is my Cirrhilabrus naokoae.

Hope you do go for the Naoko Route! I love seeing mine display around my other two. His caudal fin goes this stunning blue and his pelvic and dorsal fins give him so much height. His pelvic fins also show a beautiful blue as well.

 

[xWascallyWabbit]

Wow that's some great information. I really appreciate the advice and conversation. Those are some gorgeous fish as well. Wrasses are so fascinating. I would not have assumed that most would transition to male, I'm learning a lot today. Let me ask you this:
If you could choose two wrasses to have together in a 3ft 60 gal tank what would your choices be?

 

[kingoftheHiLLpeople]

@xWascallyWabbit and @i cant think - how about the Macropharyngodon’s?

 

[i cant think]

Wow that's some great information. I really appreciate the advice and conversation. Those are some gorgeous fish as well. Wrasses are so fascinating. I would not have assumed that most would transition to male, I'm learning a lot today. Let me ask you this:
If you could choose two wrasses to have together in a 3ft 60 gal tank what would your choices be?

I would do an Iridis and Naoko Fairy. These two have colours that are identical but different patterns and they really compliment eachother.

@xWascallyWabbit and @i cant think - how about the Macropharyngodon’s?

Macropharyngodon is a good genus to go for, especially if you want a pair or trio of wrasses. These guys don’t transition as often and do sometimes need a second specimen to push that transition. I would personally do a pair of Negrosensis if it was my tank (I do want to attempt this pairing in my 3’ nano however that’s for the future).

 

[xWascallyWabbit]

@xWascallyWabbit and @i cant think - how about the Macropharyngodon’s?

A beautiful group of wrasses. I've heard they can be tricky and don't handle the stress of shipping well but I think I'll let @i cant think handle the specifics.

 

[i cant think]

A beautiful group of wrasses. I've heard they can be tricky and don't handle the stress of shipping well but I think I'll let @i cant think handle the specifics.

This is a genus that to the beginners is often described as “Difficult” but really, if you get a specimen that eats and is healthy, they’re the easiest species. I’ve had more trouble with Cirrhilabrus in the long run than I have with Macropharyngodon. General issues with this genus involves;
- Mouth injuries due to no sand (Can be said for any Sand Sleeping genus)
- Internal Parasites (Usually seen if the specimen doesn’t eat or has stringy poo)
- Eating (This is a genus that doesn’t often eat straight away once in captivity)

If you can get these issues off the list then you should have an easy ride with wrasses. The biggest thing is, Choati isn’t a good starter species and should be left till you get experience. Good starting species in this genus are;
- M. negrosensis (Black Leopard Wrasse)
- M. bipartititus (Blue Star Leopard Wrasse)
- M. marisrubri (African Leopard Wrasse)
- M. meleagris (Leopard Wrasse)

My first personal leopard is a Bipartitus and I do eventually plan to try a Choati but that’s in the future as even I don’t think I could care for one properly.