Wrasse suggestions for a 140g

[redwingrob40]

Hi was hoping for some help from the wrasse experts. Planning my stock list for my 140- 48"x24"x29" tank and have decided to go with some wrasses.
Current inhabitants-
Yellow tang
Yellow eye kole tang
2 snowflake ocellaris
Pink spot goby
Starry blenny
Lyrtail anthias
Melanurus wrasse
Ornate leopard wrasse.

Here is some of the wrasse I am considering-
Lineatus wrasse
Flame wrasse
Pink margin (it would be this or lineatus)
Naoko wrasse
Radiant wrasse
Red line wrasse
Vroliks wrasse
Orange back
Hooded wrasse
Red lined wrasse

I was thinking maybe 4-6 of these guys with at least 1-2 being halichores. The two on the list that I'm pretty set on are the lineatus or pink margin, and flame.

Any suggestions on compatibility/stocking order or other wrasses you may suggest???

Thanks

 

[guidedbyechoes]

What is the scentific name of the orange back?If you mean Cirrhilabrus aurantidorsalis then absolutely. I'm not sure if you will run into issues adding more halichores if the other one is established. It usually advised to add them fairly close together. I'd advise against the vroliks because it looks a lot like the malenuras and that might get you into trouble. I would do flame, margin, orange back and radiant.

 

[redwingrob40]

Thank you for the suggestions! That is a combo i def like... May do the lineatus over the margin, if I can find one I figured the vroliks and melanurus might be too much alike. As for the orange back yes that is the Latin name of the one I am considering. The melanurus is in a 55 right now and should be moved into the 140 in the next month or so... All the others are in various QT's awaiting final touches on the 140.

 

[guidedbyechoes]

Thank you for the suggestions! That is a combo i def like... May do the lineatus over the margin, if I can find one I figured the vroliks and melanurus might be too much alike. As for the orange back yes that is the Latin name of the one I am considering. The melanurus is in a 55 right now and should be moved into the 140 in the next month or so... All the others are in various QT's awaiting final touches on the 140.

So adding the hals all at once shouldn't be an issue.

 

[evolved]

With your current stock level, adding 4-6 might be tricky...

lineatus (or pink margin) and flame would be fine

The red-lined is one of the most mild Halichoeres; that should be okay as well. The radiant would probably be okay, but there's a chance the melanurus wouldn't allow it.

Some literature classifies the Vroliks as a moniker for melanurus, and personally I still feel that's correct. Needless to say, avoid it.

Also avoid the naoko.

 

[redwingrob40]

Thanks Hunter! So do would three be a better number to shoot for?

After looking at threads and pics I am pretty sure that lineatus will be the one over the pink margin.... Is there a difference in coloration between the Australian and coral sea variants that are offered?

 

[eatbreakfast]

If adding the melanurus after adding the new halichoeres is a possibility, since he is in a 55, I would try for that., as that would likely be the most peaceful way. If you did that it would be possible to add both the iridis and biocellatus if you were so inclined.

The current scientific stance regarding H. chrysotaenia(vroliks wrasse) and H. melanurus is they are seperate species. But are closely related so aggression would be higher between the 2, but can be kept together if introduced around the same time and kept with multiple Halichoeres wrasses.

 

[evolved]

Thanks Hunter! So do would three be a better number to shoot for?

Probably

Is there a difference in coloration between the Australian and coral sea variants that are offered?

None that I'm aware of; the Coral Sea is adjacent to Australia after-all

 

[redwingrob40]

Thanks for all the suggestions and help guys!!! Yeah it's odd because live aquaria lists a coral sea variant of the lineatus, and it's like $10 more... Hmmm

The good thing about this is that I can take my time and add all the fish at once to the 140 if needs be, so hopefully that will keep any aggression down from fish with established territories. I think that I have decided on a lineatus, flame, and either radiant or red lined.

 

[redwingrob40]

So I have read that males of these species don't ship well. So I am considering getting females and letting them change. Does anyone know what the lifepspan of these wrasses is? I know that there are some long lived marine fish, how do these guys compare?

 

[Marshall O]

With Fairy Wrasses, you are looking at 5-6 years if you get a juvenile. 2-3 years when you buy a terminal male (in general), as you have no idea its age upon collection. I definitely recommend getting a juvenile.

 

[redwingrob40]

With Fairy Wrasses, you are looking at 5-6 years if you get a juvenile. 2-3 years when you buy a terminal male (in general), as you have no idea its age upon collection. I definitely recommend getting a juvenile.

Thanks for the reply, that is what I was thinking getting Juvis cause I do like to watch fish grow up and like you said the possibility to have them for a longer time.