Wrasse host anemone?

TUT · Feb 12, 2021

Hello Everyone,

I am a young aquarist looking for advice. I have kept an anemone for about 3 years now. I recently bought a juvenile paddle fin rainbow wrasse. I don't have much experience with wrasses the main reason I bought the fish was to keep the population of bristle worms in my reef tank under control. However, after acclimating the fish it immediately was interested in my Rose bubble tip anemone. In the past couple of days, I have documented the wrasse swimming and apparently hosting my anemone. I am not sure whether I should intervene or not? I will appreciate any advice.

Jeffcb · Feb 12, 2021

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

rubertoe93 · Feb 12, 2021

Welcome!!

Peace River · Feb 12, 2021

Welcome to Reef2Reef!!! I don't think that is normal, but it has been known to happen with wrasses. Hopefully others will more info will chime in soon with input.

@Jay Hemdal @evolved

Fred2482 · Feb 12, 2021

Welcome! This happened to a friend who immediately removed the wrasse. Hopefully someone will be able to explain!

Jay Hemdal · Feb 12, 2021

I’ve never seen a wrasse go directly into an anemones tentacles. I have seen groups of tiny wrasse hiding around the base of condylactus anemones while diving though.
Jay

Waters · Feb 12, 2021

Welcome

!!

ShepherdReefer · Feb 12, 2021

Hello and welcome to the channel.

Ippyroy · Feb 12, 2021

Welcome to R2R!

Rubberfrog · Feb 12, 2021

If the wrasse is ok, consider it a rare treat. I would love to see a pic of the wrasse in the anemone.

lavoisier · Feb 12, 2021

Howdy TUT. Welcome to R2R. I've not kept this fish but here is a little info I found.

Paddlefin Wrasse

The Paddlefin Wrasse is also referred to as the Rainbow or Cortez Rainbow Wrasse. As a juvenile they are mostly black in color with a yellow and pink belly. As

reefs.com

and this:

Cortez Rainbow Wrasse | Animal World

Whether in it ‘terminal’ phase colors as seen here, or in its initial phase, the Cortez Rainbow Wrasse or Paddlefin Wrasse is one of the most beautiful of the Thalassoma wrasses! This wrasse is named not only for its native environment, the Sea of Cortez, but also for its bold rainbow coloring...

animal-world.com

Which ends with, "This wrasse doesn't bother corals but it will eat crustaceans, invertebrates, and small fish. It may even eat mantis shrimp and bristleworms."

Not sure how accurate these descriptions are but keep an eye on your anemone. If it is happy you should be okay.