The Wrasse Lover's Thread!

Tcook · May 19, 2023

i cant think said:
Got any information on your tank (Dimensions are most useful for any fish stocking). We can help with a list of potential wrasse additions

Find a comfortable chair because that wrasse list aint going to be short!

Sink_or_Swim · May 19, 2023

Slocke said:
Aww. I'm in the same boat. But if I ever get a nano theyre first on the list!

I am moving in 6 weeks and I think I told you before, will have all kinds of room to set up tanks in the basement. Was not planning to do anything anytime soon... BUT, now I'm really considering setting up my old 32 gallon - and then I can do some nano fish I can't do in my big tank.

My son is also now becoming more interested in the salty creatures! He saw a banded pipefish at my LFS and wants me to set up a tank for him so he can have one. THAT could possibly end up a seahorse/pipefish tank... oh boy!

jkcoral · May 19, 2023

I’m a Pink and Possum zealot. Everyone should have them

Slocke · May 19, 2023

Sink_or_Swim said:
I am moving in 6 weeks and I think I told you before, will have all kinds of room to set up tanks in the basement. Was not planning to do anything anytime soon... BUT, now I'm really considering setting up my old 32 gallon - and then I can do some nano fish I can't do in my big tank. My son is also now becoming more interested in the salty creatures! He saw a banded pipefish at my LFS and wants me to set up a tank for him so he can have one. THAT could possibly end up a seahorse/pipefish tanks... oh boy!

Oooh nice!
Pipefish are probably some of the prettiest fish in the hobby glad your son is finding some interest. Storms are cool but fish are cooler. And yes you did say about the potential fish room. Good luck with the move!

Tcook · May 19, 2023

Sink_or_Swim said:
I am moving in 6 weeks and I think I told you before, will have all kinds of room to set up tanks in the basement. Was not planning to do anything anytime soon... BUT, now I'm really considering setting up my old 32 gallon - and then I can do some nano fish I can't do in my big tank. My son is also now becoming more interested in the salty creatures! He saw a banded pipefish at my LFS and wants me to set up a tank for him so he can have one. THAT could possibly end up a seahorse/pipefish tank... oh boy!

Of course this will include a large basement fish room/lab.

Sink_or_Swim · May 19, 2023

jkcoral said:
I’m a Pink and Possum zealot. Everyone should have them

Awww, love those little pointy snoots!

Sink_or_Swim · May 19, 2023

Tcook said:
Of course this will include a large basement fish room/lab.

Absolutely! lol! Huge utility room in the basement with a big sink, perfect for water changes. Maybe I'll actually do them more, haha. Can't wait! (This could be a problem with all the room though... I very well could end up setting up the discus tank I've been wanting to do forever... lol)

Sink_or_Swim · May 19, 2023

Slocke said:
Oooh nice!
Pipefish are probably some of the prettiest fish in the hobby glad your son is finding some interest. Storms are cool but fish are cooler. And yes you did say about the potential fish room. Good luck with the move!

I agree! He still is adamant he wants to be a meteorologist when he grows up (and he was like, not on tv mom, I'm going to work for the National Weather Service storm prediction center - duh!)

And talks about tornados and storms all the time. BUT, yes, fish are cooler in my opinion too, haha! Thank you - I'm just crossing my fingers it all goes smoothly!

PBnJOnWheat · May 19, 2023

Slocke said:
You realize you’re getting two very much not reef safe wrasse. The twin spot in particular is a giant. Great for a large aggressive tank but anything else you’ll be rehoming in a few years.

ReefPro and WWC sell rare wrasse though I much prefer WWC.

I’ve been doing this for years, I know the exact fish I am getting because I have had them both before lol I appreciate the warning but I’m well aware of how wrasse grow as well.

I’ll check those out

PBnJOnWheat · May 19, 2023

i cant think said:
That twinspot coris is going to be a beast… and not a good one.

Twin spots are awesome idk what you mean lol

i cant think · May 19, 2023

PBnJOnWheat said:
Twin spots are awesome idk what you mean lol

They can become territorial and kill off other wrasses. They especially dislike relatives.

I presume you’re talking about a Coris aygula which as well as getting nasty as they age, they get large. It’s not uncommon for them to get to 2’ long at the minimum, specimens can get twice that size and reach almost 4’ long.

Slocke · May 19, 2023

PBnJOnWheat said:
I’ve been doing this for years, I know the exact fish I am getting because I have had them both before lol I appreciate the warning but I’m well aware of how wrasse grow as well.

I’ll check those out

Just wanted to make sure. I have a coris and dragon myself.

Tcook · May 19, 2023

Sink_or_Swim said:
Absolutely! lol! Huge utility room in the basement with a big sink, perfect for water changes. Maybe I'll actually do them more, haha. Can't wait! (This could be a problem with all the room though... I very well could end up setting up the discus tank I've been wanting to do forever... lol)

Microscpoe, pod/phyto cultures, QT tanks……,,,,,

MAB Reef · May 19, 2023

This thread is dangerous. Thanks for all the great info and also no thanks for getting me hooked on wrasse!

I had the following wrasse:

Paracheilinus carpenter: impulse buy but super friendly, easy going and a really nice red
Halichoeres melanarus: before I knew about all the other wrasse I got this one to help maintain pests; we call it Loopy because it used to circle around one of the powerheads almost all day long.
Wetmorella nigropinnata: love this little guy and acts like there's no one else in the tank. We call him "Snickers" because when you see him it's a treat.

Yesterday I picked up a halichoeres iridis and Macropharyngodon bipartitus (not 100% sure on this as I've seen some discussion between bipartitus and another). Both were eating really well and had been at the LFS for 3 weeks. They're currently in an acclimation box and eating in there as well. I'll take my time with letting them out and I'm thinking I might try to entice them to eat dry foods while they're in the acclimation box.

Sorry for the bad pics, the acclimation box makes it difficult to get clear photos.

I have a feeling I'm getting too into wrasse because I'm already trying to figure out what I want next.

I am for sure going to wait and make sure these 2 new additions make it but thinking about a stocking list is keeping me entertained while I wait for my acros to grow. Here's what I'm thinking but still researching and would be happy to take suggestions (in no particular order):

A. meleagrides
C. isosceles
H. melasmapomus (these look like they get big and I'm trying to keep majority of my fish on the smaller size so not sure)
M. geoffroy (I've seen some keep multiple leopards but have also read to be care keeping multiples so would let me know if this is a bad idea)
P. attenuatus

What's currently in my tank:

Hector's Goby (x2)
Oscellaris Clown Fish (x2)
One Spot Foxface
Tailspot Blenny
Dispar Anthias (x5)
Sunburst Anthias
Chalk Bass
Paracheilinus carpenteri
Halichoeres melanurus
Wetmorella nigropinnata

Tank dimensions: 48"L x 24"W x 22"H

Down the road I was contemplating a tang like a goldrimmed/whitecheek tang to help with algae but not stuck on that idea if it means I'd be bringing in too much aggression.

Tcook · May 19, 2023

MAB Reef said:
This thread is dangerous. Thanks for all the great info and also no thanks for getting me hooked on wrasse!

I had the following wrasse:

Paracheilinus carpenter: impulse buy but super friendly, easy going and a really nice red

Halichoeres melanarus: before I knew about all the other wrasse I got this one to help maintain pests; we call it Loopy because it used to circle around one of the powerheads almost all day long.

Wetmorella nigropinnata: love this little guy and acts like there's no one else in the tank. We call him "Snickers" because when you see him it's a treat.

Yesterday I picked up a halichoeres iridis and Macropharyngodon bipartitus (not 100% sure on this as I've seen some discussion between bipartitus and another). Both were eating really well and had been at the LFS for 3 weeks. They're currently in an acclimation box and eating in there as well. I'll take my time with letting them out and I'm thinking I might try to entice them to eat dry foods while they're in the acclimation box.

Sorry for the bad pics, the acclimation box makes it difficult to get clear photos.

I have a feeling I'm getting too into wrasse because I'm already trying to figure out what I want next. I am for sure going to wait and make sure these 2 new additions make it but thinking about a stocking list is keeping me entertained while I wait for my acros to grow. Here's what I'm thinking but still researching and would be happy to take suggestions (in no particular order):

A. meleagrides

C. isosceles

H. melasmapomus (these look like they get big and I'm trying to keep majority of my fish on the smaller size so not sure)

M. geoffroy (I've seen some keep multiple leopards but have also read to be care keeping multiples so would let me know if this is a bad idea)

P. attenuatus

What's currently in my tank:

Hector's Goby (x2)

Oscellaris Clown Fish (x2)

One Spot Foxface

Tailspot Blenny

Dispar Anthias (x5)

Sunburst Anthias

Chalk Bass

Paracheilinus carpenteri

Halichoeres melanurus

Wetmorella nigropinnata

Tank dimensions: 48"L x 24"W x 22"H

Down the road I was contemplating a tang like a goldrimmed/whitecheek tang to help with algae but not stuck on that idea if it means I'd be bringing in too much aggression.

Nice wrasses. I love anthias so we need a fts. As far as tangs I would stick to the smaller species like tomini. Mine got to a good size in my 120.

Slocke · May 19, 2023

MAB Reef said:
This thread is dangerous. Thanks for all the great info and also no thanks for getting me hooked on wrasse!

I had the following wrasse:

Paracheilinus carpenter: impulse buy but super friendly, easy going and a really nice red

Halichoeres melanarus: before I knew about all the other wrasse I got this one to help maintain pests; we call it Loopy because it used to circle around one of the powerheads almost all day long.

Wetmorella nigropinnata: love this little guy and acts like there's no one else in the tank. We call him "Snickers" because when you see him it's a treat.

Yesterday I picked up a halichoeres iridis and Macropharyngodon bipartitus (not 100% sure on this as I've seen some discussion between bipartitus and another). Both were eating really well and had been at the LFS for 3 weeks. They're currently in an acclimation box and eating in there as well. I'll take my time with letting them out and I'm thinking I might try to entice them to eat dry foods while they're in the acclimation box.

Sorry for the bad pics, the acclimation box makes it difficult to get clear photos.

I have a feeling I'm getting too into wrasse because I'm already trying to figure out what I want next. I am for sure going to wait and make sure these 2 new additions make it but thinking about a stocking list is keeping me entertained while I wait for my acros to grow. Here's what I'm thinking but still researching and would be happy to take suggestions (in no particular order):

A. meleagrides

C. isosceles

H. melasmapomus (these look like they get big and I'm trying to keep majority of my fish on the smaller size so not sure)

M. geoffroy (I've seen some keep multiple leopards but have also read to be care keeping multiples so would let me know if this is a bad idea)

P. attenuatus

What's currently in my tank:

Hector's Goby (x2)

Oscellaris Clown Fish (x2)

One Spot Foxface

Tailspot Blenny

Dispar Anthias (x5)

Sunburst Anthias

Chalk Bass

Paracheilinus carpenteri

Halichoeres melanurus

Wetmorella nigropinnata

Tank dimensions: 48"L x 24"W x 22"H

Down the road I was contemplating a tang like a goldrimmed/whitecheek tang to help with algae but not stuck on that idea if it means I'd be bringing in too much aggression.

Great to see the addiction is spreading!!

I think that leopard may be Macropharyngodon marisrubri but not sure.

A meleagrides is a very sensitive wrasse but if you can find one eating you should be good to get one. Very peaceful.

C isosceles is a great choice of fairy!

H melasmapomus should work but I suggest an acclimation box with multiple halichoeres.

M geoffroyi is impossible to get as a Hawaiian fish.

P attenuatus is another good choice!

MAB Reef · May 19, 2023

Tcook said:
Nice wrasses. I love anthias so we need a fts. As far as tangs I would stick to the smaller species like tomini. Mine got to a good size in my 120.

Thanks! I figured as much about the tangs. My other thought was a white tailed bristletooth but if a tang does happen it would be after I've gotten all the wrasse I want. I may opt for no tangs and more wrasse.

Slocke said:
Great to see the addiction is spreading!!

I think that leopard may be Macropharyngodon marisrubri but not sure.

A meleagrides is a very sensitive wrasse but if you can find one eating you should be good to get one. Very peaceful.

C isosceles is a great choice of fairy!

H melasmapomus should work but I suggest an acclimation box with multiple halichoeres.

M geoffroyi is impossible to get as a Hawaiian fish.

P attenuatus is another good choice!

Thanks for that! Geoffroyi being Hawaiian makes it easier to take off the list.

For H melasmapomus, I'll definitely make sure to use a acclimation box if/when I go down this road.

i cant think · May 19, 2023

MAB Reef said:
This thread is dangerous. Thanks for all the great info and also no thanks for getting me hooked on wrasse!

I had the following wrasse:

Paracheilinus carpenter: impulse buy but super friendly, easy going and a really nice red

Halichoeres melanarus: before I knew about all the other wrasse I got this one to help maintain pests; we call it Loopy because it used to circle around one of the powerheads almost all day long.

Wetmorella nigropinnata: love this little guy and acts like there's no one else in the tank. We call him "Snickers" because when you see him it's a treat.

Yesterday I picked up a halichoeres iridis and Macropharyngodon bipartitus (not 100% sure on this as I've seen some discussion between bipartitus and another). Both were eating really well and had been at the LFS for 3 weeks. They're currently in an acclimation box and eating in there as well. I'll take my time with letting them out and I'm thinking I might try to entice them to eat dry foods while they're in the acclimation box.

Sorry for the bad pics, the acclimation box makes it difficult to get clear photos.

In terms of future additions, everything I’d say has been said already so I’ll help with the ID

You have a true Bipartitus. The second species we talk about when dealing with these two is Marisrubri vs Bipartitus.
The Marisrubri looks very similar to bipartitus however its dorsal and anal fins extend further back almost blending into the tail. Marisrubri also has a smoother and wider dorsal. The curve in Marisrubri seems to go up and then down whilst bipartitus seems to curve down with the body shape. Bipartitus also has a much more bumpy start to its dorsal. The bumpiness is best exaggerated in Xenojulis margaritaceus and Macropharyngodon choati.
However you can see the ridging in this photo as well as the much more sudden up and down in the curve.