Utilitarian fish question

[Auquanut]

I've been mentally putting together my stocking list for the new (to me) 135 build. One of the utilitarian fish I figured I need is a wrasse for pest control.

Here's the thing. One of my must have fish for this tank is a harlequin tusk.

Sooo... the tusk is a wrasse. Will he manage pests like my melanaurus wrasse does in the 125? Will he keep bristle worms under control? Will he target flatworms and other smaller pests like we expect other wrasses to do, or should I add a smaller, utilitarian wrasse to the stock list?

 

[blaxsun]

The harlequin tusk can also be a ********* (just a head's up). There's a YouTube video of one eating a shrimp and another fish. If you're looking for a great wrasse get a melanarus wrasse (I also like the sixline wrasse, but you'll get mixed feedback with that one).

 

[Auquanut]

The harlequin tusk can also be a ********* (just a head's up). There's a YouTube video of one eating a shrimp and another fish. If you're looking for a great wrasse get a melanarus wrasse (I also like the sixline wrasse, but you'll get mixed feedback with that one).

The melanaurus wrasse I have in the 125 has been great at controlling the bristle worm population and has been a model citizen for over 5 years. Love this guy!

The new tank will be FOWLRish, and I've always wanted a tusk. I've read a lot of mixed reviews. Not only temperament, but hardiness as well. Still kind of flip flopping. If I do pull the trigger, it will definitely be an aussie.

Just curious if being a wrasse, the tusk might have some utilitarian value. Also, if I do need a wrasse for pest control, is there another wrasse that can hold its own and be the workhorse that Mel seems to be.

 

[blaxsun]

The melanaurus wrasse I have in the 125 has been great at controlling the bristle worm population and has been a model citizen for over 5 years. Love this guy!

The new tank will be FOWLRish, and I've always wanted a tusk. I've read a lot of mixed reviews. Not only temperament, but hardiness as well. Still kind of flip flopping. If I do pull the trigger, it will definitely be an aussie.

Just curious if being a wrasse, the tusk might have some utilitarian value. Also, if I do need a wrasse for pest control, is there another wrasse that can hold its own and be the workhorse that Mel seems to be.

Here's the video I'd probably check out first on the Harlequin tuskfish.


In terms of utilitarian value, hands down my sixline wrasse has been just awesome. I never seem to find any bristleworms larger than 1-2cm - so between the melanarus and sixline they're obviously earning their keep.