The Wrasse Lover's Thread!

eatbreakfast · Feb 10, 2014

Swine said:
I'm looking for a wrasse to eradicate my collonista snail infestation.. someone told me a tail spot / hoeven has done the trick for them. Anyone else have any input? I figured that most wrasse in the Halichoeres family would be a good bet. But my other issue is my sandbed is only around 1-1.5 inches! Don't want an unhappy wrasse... I wish a rhomboid would take them out!

A Halichoeres wrasses may help keep the snails in check, but probably wont eliminate them. The snails are nocturnal and the wrasse would be sleeping while most of the snails would be out and vice versa.

The 1-1.5" sandbed wouldn't be too much of a problem, as Halichoeres wrasses want to be completely covered, and that depth will do that.

Aquaph8 · Feb 10, 2014

My johnsoni is a tough little punk. He actually gives me more trouble when adding new wrasses than anybody.

eatbreakfast · Feb 10, 2014

scruggyj said:
I have a big fat melanurus male and he chases my smaller solar wrasse around my 65 but I never see him actually hit or hurt him.

They are in a 65 right now but I am looking to go much bigger. Like 180ish

Do you think if I go bigger the melanurus will leave the solar wrasse alone?

Is it chasing or more veering towards him? Is it non stop or only when its feeding time or when the solorensis is in sight?

These all have an affect as aggression in general is caused by any number of things from perceived threats to territory, or food, or rank in a hierarchy, etc. In a larger tank it is likely, but not guaranteed the melanurus will mellow out a bit as there is more room and cover for both wrasses and more to distract the melanurus.

scruggyj · Feb 10, 2014

eatbreakfast said:
Is it chasing or more veering towards him? Is it non stop or only when its feeding time or when the solorensis is in sight?

These all have an affect as aggression in general is caused by any number of things from perceived threats to territory, or food, or rank in a hierarchy, etc. In a larger tank it is likely, but not guaranteed the melanurus will mellow out a bit as there is more room and cover for both wrasses and more to distract the melanurus.

He does not chase him constantly but the solar wrasse thinks he does. Sometimes the Mel will dart at him and the solar runs and hides. Sometimes the Mel is just swimming and the solar runs and hides.

To me it looks like the Mel chases him for fun.
I guess swimming in the same box everyday could get boring.

I am mostly just worried that the solar may be staying stressed.
He is still eating fine..etc and will come out when I approach the tank and feed the tank.

I am hoping with a big tank it stops.

reef_ranch · Feb 10, 2014

Aquaph8 said:
My johnsoni is a tough little punk. He actually gives me more trouble when adding new wrasses than anybody.

I hope mine is tough. He has quickly become my favorite. When he flashes, it's a light show!

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Eienna · Feb 17, 2014

Can anyone tell me whether an exquisite wrasse and a labout's wrasse might be able to get along in a 100g?

Aquaph8 · Feb 17, 2014

Eienna said:
Can anyone tell me whether an exquisite wrasse and a labout's wrasse might be able to get along in a 100g?

I think they could do alright together but expect the Labouti to get more and more grumpy as he grows.

Eienna · Feb 17, 2014

Aquaph8 said:
I think they could do alright together but expect the Labouti to get more and more grumpy as he grows.

Maybe I should get them both very small, and as the second-to-last additions (or add them with the PBT I'm considering at the end.)

robbrouse · Feb 17, 2014

I have a Red Head Solon Fairy Wrasse what other's can go with him? Will he get alone with a six line?

Eienna · Feb 17, 2014

robbrouse said:
I have a Red Head Solon Fairy Wrasse what other's can go with him? Will he get alone with a six line?

I'm gonna jump in here and say DO NOT mix sixlines with other wrasses. They can even be quite vicious towards unrelated fish.

robbrouse · Feb 17, 2014

Eienna said:
I'm gonna jump in here and say DO NOT mix sixlines with other wrasses. They can even be quite vicious towards unrelated fish.

Thanks for the replay.. What can go with the Fairy Wrasse? I like them and am hoping to add another. Looking at local shops and seems like they have have the six line and have seen the 8 line as well.. Just looking for advice. Thanks guys.

Eienna · Feb 17, 2014

Hmmm...I believe there's a writeup on wrasses and their compatibilities here somewhere...not sure where, though. I believe evolved wrote it...try pming him.

eatbreakfast · Feb 18, 2014

There are many wrasses that can go with the solorensis. It depends on the size of your tank but flashers, other fairy wrasses, the genera Halichoeres, Wetmorela, Macropharyngodon, Anampses, Pseudojuloides, Pseudocheilinops, and Xenojulis will all be fine with your Wrasse.

Just as the sixline would not be a good mix, neither will the eightline, nor any fish from the Genus Pseudocheilinus. They are pretty nasty toward other fish and particularly mean to other wrasses.

evolved · Feb 18, 2014

Aquaph8 said:
I think they could do alright together but expect the Labouti to get more and more grumpy as he grows.

Yeah, that's pretty much the extent of my thoughts as well.

Eienna said:
Maybe I should get them both very small, and as the second-to-last additions (or add them with the PBT I'm considering at the end.)

That would help, yes.
And no offense here, but I wouldn't even consider a PBT for a 100g tank. They're already rather aggressive in a large tank, let alone in one that's too small for them.

robbrouse said:
Thanks for the replay.. What can go with the Fairy Wrasse? I like them and am hoping to add another. Looking at local shops and seems like they have have the six line and have seen the 8 line as well.. Just looking for advice. Thanks guys.

Give this a read: All About Reef Safe Wrasses - 3reef Reef Aquarium Forum

eatbreakfast said:
Just as the sixline would not be a good mix, neither will the eightline, nor any fish from the Genus Pseudocheilinus. They are pretty nasty toward other fish and particularly mean to other wrasses.

Agree, unless it's a Eightline flasher. "Which eightline?" is the important question there. I hate common names sometimes...

Eienna · Feb 18, 2014

evolved said:
That would help, yes.
And no offense here, but I wouldn't even consider a PBT for a 100g tank. They're already rather aggressive in a large tank, let alone in one that's too small for them.

Oh, it's too small? Whoops! Should have known that. I've gotta go over the tangs again, apparently! Thanks for the catch!

watchguy123 · Feb 19, 2014

Just sharing a picture of one of my wrasses. The halides were off, and under t5s only, the blue tint turned the yellow/gold into a green/yellow. Sorry I could not capture the colors correctly but it is a pretty fish nonetheless

mylittlejade · Feb 19, 2014

She's purty mark!

DSP · Feb 19, 2014

Can anyone tell me how long healthy Leopard wrasses can live in captivity?

ryecoon · Feb 19, 2014

Meet my homie Mr.Six Line wrasse! i got lots of love for this guy. He inspects my corals and is very functional for my reef.

Wish i can get more just like him.

evolved · Feb 19, 2014

watchguy123 said:
Just sharing a picture of one of my wrasses. The halides were off, and under t5s only, the blue tint turned the yellow/gold into a green/yellow. Sorry I could not capture the colors correctly but it is a pretty fish nonetheless

I'm getting more and more tempted...

DSP said:
Can anyone tell me how long healthy Leopard wrasses can live in captivity?

Definitively, probably not; but longer than Cirrhilabrus for sure. But probably not as long as Anampses. My personal thoughts: up to 12-15 years could be possible.