Which Wrasse for Bare-Bottom 40B Frag Tank?

[nickkohrn]

I’m in the process of setting up a bare-bottom 40B frag tank, which will house only SPS corals. I have a juvenile Tomini Tang that I will be keeping in the frag tank until I need to re-home it. I want to add a wrasse for pest control, but I’m uncertain about which genus, and which species, to add.

I have been told that a Six-Line would be a good addition, but I have had to re-home them in the past because of the temperaments that they had. However, I plan to have only two fish in this system, so I’m not worried about that this time.

I have also been told to add a melanurus because they are great at consuming pests. Since the tank will be bare-bottomed, I could simply add a sand-filled container to provide a more comfortable environment.

With the above in mind, I ask for your thoughts, recommendations, concerns, questions, and experiences regarding my plans for stocking the frag system.

Thank you!

 

[Gareth elliott]

A six line maybe fine if the only other fish is just a tang.

another idea could be.
A pink streaked wrasse, also a cocoon sleeper and pest eater, but peaceful.

 

[nereefpat]

This is what Mother Nature intended the 6 line wrasse for.

If you want something more unique/expensive, a 4 line might be up your alley.

 

[Westoncase]

id get the melanarus. I have a thing for those fish

 

[evolved]

I have been told that a Six-Line would be a good addition, but I have had to re-home them in the past because of the temperaments that they had. However, I plan to have only two fish in this system, so I’m not worried about that this time.

Then this is, actually, the perfect situation for a sixline. That's what I would do.

 

[Hemmdog]

No love for yellow coris?

 

[nickkohrn]

No love for yellow coris?

I have nothing against them as I’ve never had one. I prefer to not have a sand-filled container in my aquarium, but I’m not opposed to providing one. I’m just looking for a good candidate given the environment.

I have had pyramid snails in the past, and I read that a melanurus would likely eat them. I won’t be keeping clams in this system, but I will be selling and trading corals out of it, so I’d like to have a natural predator, if possible.

Honestly, I don’t have a preference for a specific genus or species. I’m aiming for utilitarian fish for this system, so I’m looking for any recommendations that I can receive.

I’ll surely look into your suggestion as I have no experience with them.

 

[Paleozoic_reefer]

I have a bare bottom RSR 350 and have a:
McCosker Flasher wrasse
Christmas wrasse
tricolor fairy wrasse
Red Head Solon Fairy wrasse
Pink Margin fairy wrasse
Cleaner wrasse
So far everyone is fat, happy, and healthy and no one uses the Tupperware of sand I have in the tank as far as I can tell...

 

[evolved]

I prefer to not have a sand-filled container in my aquarium

Yeah, I get that - and why I'd shy away from Halichoeres here. It's a frag tank - I wouldn't want to deal with the stray sand in the tank either.
A frag tank like this is really the ONLY time you'll ever see me actually recommend a sixline. They're great for a system like this, with minimal (if any) tankmates - but specifically ones that won't be bullied by it.

I have had pyramid snails in the past, and I read that a melanurus would likely eat them

Most Halichoeres will, but some Pseudocheilinus specimens do too.

 

[nickkohrn]

Yeah, I get that - and why I'd shy away from Halichoeres here. It's a frag tank - I wouldn't want to deal with the stray sand in the tank either.
A frag tank like this is really the ONLY time you'll ever see me actually recommend a sixline. They're great for a system like this, with minimal (if any) tankmates - but specifically ones that won't be bullied by it.

This is probably what I will end up doing. I enjoy the look of them, and I like watching them actively hunt. I think my Tomini tang will be able to hold its own against a Six-Line given its size.

 

[Jesterrace]

I agree this is one of the rare cases where I would recommend a 6 line. The Melanurus and Yellow Wrasse will outgrow a 40 breeder IMHO as they really need a 4 foot long tank long term and the bare bottom makes it a bigger problem for them, but a 6 line would be fine in a 40 by itself or with a Tang that is larger and could easily handle itself for the time that it's there.

 

[Jesterrace]

No love for yellow coris?

Halichoeres get too big and active for a 40 breeder IMHO.