Wrasse Compatibility?

[bdare]

Hello all,

I'm in the processing of stocking a 220. I currently have a decent sized mystery wrasse and would like to add others. As I've never kept multiple wrasses before I thought I would check with the community before placing a new order.

Other tank mates include:
Blue Regal Tang
Gem Tang
Diamond Goby
Yellow Watchman goby
Yellow Foxface
Kole Tang
2 Clowns

To be added:
Powder Blue Tang
Chocolate Mimic Tang
Royal Gamma

I'm planning on keeping a mixed reef and would like to add inverts if possible, but I'd also like a wrasse to help control pests. Was thinking about a melanarus? Maybe some flasher wrasses?

What are your thoughts?

Thanks in advance,

Ben

 

[Angel_Anthias lover]

Mystery wrasses and any fish from the genus pseudocheilinus are known to kill other (especially) wrasses,aswell as other fish and stress them out so i would advise against it especially since he is well established. You can always try the fish you listed but its not a great idea and is more than likely not to work in your favour, and i dont recommend it. Some people seem to have more success with mystery wrasses and mixing than others of the genus from what ive heard but its not a matter of if he will kill a fish but more so when, and it is still a big risk which im.not sure is worth it for you or the fish. Sorry to bear this bad news

 

[JayKim]

Even the peaceful wrasses will chase and flash each other. Mystery is semi aggressive, this is why I added mine last. Maybe you can catch it and put it in qt for few weeks and add other wrasses you want and put the mystery back into DT.

 

[bdare]

Oh man. Thanks for the feedback guys. So no more wrasses? Yellow corris? Menanarus?

Edit: Just saw this review on Live Aquaria "This fish is as beautiful as its picture suggest. Very active and curious. Well behaved in my mixed community of fairy and flasher wrasses. A true gem for those who enjoy unusual fish."

 

[JayKim]

In the end it's up to you. You have a large tank so you have better chance for it working out. Other option is to use acclimation box to introduce new wrasse and see how the mystery reacts.

 

[Angel_Anthias lover]

Its possible it could work its just depending on how willing you are to risk it. Either of those fish could work and arent excactly push overs of fish by any means, its just wrasses from pseudocheilinus can be so agressive that its still a risk. I saw a pair of six lines destroy a leopard wrasse in my lfs display tank and it was bullied so much it died in a week. Good luck with whatever you chose

 

[Katrina71]

@Scurvy is the wrasse master

 

[Bob Weigant]

I had my mystery wrasse in a 225 and it chased every new wrasse . I had to pull him out

 

[bdare]

Ok Ok.... I see where this is going. I'm not one who likes risk. Thanks for all the input! No more wrasses for me. Good thing the mystery wrasse is so pretty!

 

[Scurvy]

Yep, as others have said that genus is best added last if you plan to keep other wrasses. if added last Ive seen success mixing them but if established before the others then it probably doesnt end well for the new guy. They are a very pretty fish though!

 

[Angel_Anthias lover]

Ok Ok.... I see where this is going. I'm not one who likes risk. Thanks for all the input! No more wrasses for me. Good thing the mystery wrasse is so pretty!

Sorry to burst your bubble for other wrasses, maybe you need a whole new seperate tank for all those other wrasses you like

 

[bdare]

Yep, as others have said that genus is best added last if you plan to keep other wrasses. if added last Ive seen success mixing them but if established before the others then it probably doesnt end well for the new guy. They are a very pretty fish though!

Thanks for the feedback. The mystery almost didn't make it... He was added a week after a large Aussie Harlequin Tusk. After eating a royal gamma, I watched the tusk dragging the mystery wrasse around the tank by his mouth. After the tusk released the mystery, the tusk was removed.

My kids have since named the mystery wrasse "Beyonce" because he's a "survivor". Mouth is recovering and the fish is eating well...

 

[Scurvy]

Thanks for the feedback. The mystery almost didn't make it... He was added a week after a large Aussie Harlequin Tusk. After eating a royal gamma, I watched the tusk dragging the mystery wrasse around the tank by his mouth. After the tusk released the mystery, the tusk was removed.

My kids have since named the mystery wrasse "Beyonce" because he's a "survivor". Mouth is recovering and the fish is eating well...

The Tusk is also a Wrasse, Only a big One. I dont have any experince with them but I imagine that was a sight to see... Glad the Mystery pulled through!

 

[bdare]

The Tusk is also a Wrasse, Only a big One. I dont have any experince with them but I imagine that was a sight to see... Glad the Mystery pulled through!

It was a sight... a very sad and frustrating one. My wife was on a work call in the next room. Pretty sure everyone on that call heard quite a few F-Bombs when I saw what was occurring. Took "Beyonce" a few days to come out again after that experience. His mouth looked crushed and was tilted sideways. At first he could not pick up food off the sand as he would bite just to the left of any food.

Thanks again for all the feedback! Glad I asked!

 

[bdare]

Not sure if you can tell his mouth is off here...