Wrasses for control

[doubleshot00]

I currently have a mccoskers wrasses and have tried two different leopard wrasses with no luck. What other wrasse species control pests? I was thinking Melanarus but keep hearing they will go after snails and other invertebrates. Sixline will work but heard they are mean. Im not object to getting more than one either.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

This will be a mixed reef tank.

 

[Eagle_Steve]

I currently have a mccoskers wrasses and have tried two different leopard wrasses with no luck. What other wrasse species control pests? I was thinking Melanarus but keep hearing they will go after snails and other invertebrates. Sixline will work but heard they are mean. Im not object to getting more than one either.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

This will be a mixed reef tank.

@Crabby48 and @SaltyT are the llocal wrasse experts. They should be able to point you to some wrasses for pest control that will fit with your current setup.

 

[Bucs20fan]

Best readily available IMO would be a sixline. Much less of an issue if it is added to a tank that already has inhabitants. McCoskers wrasses typically dont eat alot of pests like most of the fairy wrasses. I would go with a juvenile sixline and as long as your have plenty of hiding spots I would imagine everything would be ok. What pests are you trying to get rid of? Are you looking for a pest eating wrasse for general maintenance and a little cover if you miss something, or do you already have a pest problem of sorts and are looking for a fish to solve it?

 

[Crabby48]

I currently have a mccoskers wrasses and have tried two different leopard wrasses with no luck. What other wrasse species control pests? I was thinking Melanarus but keep hearing they will go after snails and other invertebrates. Sixline will work but heard they are mean. Im not object to getting more than one either.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

This will be a mixed reef tank.

Definitely stay away from sixline. If someone says theirs is great it’s because they haven’t had it long enough.
Melanurus can be hit and Miss as good citizens.
I recommend Halichoeres Chrysus, H. Iridis, H. cosmetus, are more common but their is others. More aggressive they are more likely they will control pest better if your trying to take care of a problem. What size tank? H. melasmapomus is a great choice but is a little bigger and chance it can turn more aggressive once it gets bigger.

 

[doubleshot00]

Best readily available IMO would be a sixline. Much less of an issue if it is added to a tank that already has inhabitants. McCoskers wrasses typically dont eat alot of pests like most of the fairy wrasses. I would go with a juvenile sixline and as long as your have plenty of hiding spots I would imagine everything would be ok. What pests are you trying to get rid of? Are you looking for a pest eating wrasse for general maintenance and a little cover if you miss something, or do you already have a pest problem of sorts and are looking for a fish to solve it?

No pest problem currently just want something. I have a lot of hiding spots.

 

[doubleshot00]

Definitely stay away from sixline. If someone says theirs is great it’s because they haven’t had it long enough.
Melanurus can be hit and Miss as good citizens.
I recommend Halichoeres Chrysus, H. Iridis, H. cosmetus, are more common but their is others. More aggressive they are more likely they will control pest better if your trying to take care of a problem. What size tank? H. melasmapomus is a great choice but is a little bigger and chance it can turn more aggressive once it gets bigger.

90 gallon.

To google i go with those scientific names. Lol

 

[Tamberav]

Halichoeres chrysus

Yellow “coris” wrasse

fairly hardy and easy, peaceful, doesn’t get too big and eats pests

 

[doubleshot00]

Why

Definitely stay away from sixline. If someone says theirs is great it’s because they haven’t had it long enough.
Melanurus can be hit and Miss as good citizens.
I recommend Halichoeres Chrysus, H. Iridis, H. cosmetus, are more common but their is others. More aggressive they are more likely they will control pest better if your trying to take care of a problem. What size tank? H. melasmapomus is a great choice but is a little bigger and chance it can turn more aggressive once it gets bigger.

Why do they list these as “fish only tanks”?

 

[doubleshot00]

What about a Dusky wrasse????

 

[Tamberav]

What about a Dusky wrasse????

get large, sometimes go after other similar species of wrasses

 

[Brit’s Fish]

Halichoeres chrysus

Yellow “coris” wrasse

fairly hardy and easy, peaceful, doesn’t get too big and eats pests

This was going to be my suggestion as well! I love my Yellow Coris. He does a great job of picking at the rocks and sand but also hasn’t eaten anything that he shouldn’t.

 

[Tamberav]

Why

Why do they list these as “fish only tanks”?

probably because they may eat feather dusters and small Inverts like sexy shrimp and things.

They are safe with average size cuc and corals and such.

 

[Crabby48]

Why

Why do they list these as “fish only tanks”?

Where did you look? @Tamberav has great input that I agree with

 

[Crabby48]

Why

Why do they list these as “fish only tanks”?

Why didn’t leopards work? If it was they didn’t survive you want to get them from someone who qt’s like premier Reef, among the reef or TSM aquatics.

 

[cabezatuck]

I have had luck with my six line wrasse, I know they can be aggressive to some other fish and some here say to stay away but I have been lucky that mine for the past 2 years only is aggressive towards pests. He has tackled nudibranches and bristle worm outbreaks. I am sure there are better options, but I was glad I threw him in my DT when I noticed my Montipora caps were being eaten! He eliminated the nudis within 24 hours. I still have a lot of pods in the sandbed so he isn’t an outright terminator either, maybe I just got lucky.

 

[Seymo44]

I have a sixline that I don’t have any problems with, but I’ve only had him for about a year and a half.

My suggestion is a red lined wrasse (Halichoeres biocellatus). It’s in the same genus as the melanurus, but only gets about 4”. This smaller size should let it get into tight places better as well as being less of a threat to clean up crew. I plan to get on myself for my 65gal.

 

[doubleshot00]

Why didn’t leopards work? If it was they didn’t survive you want to get them from someone who qt’s like premier Reef, among the reef or TSM aquatics.

They didn't last more than 4 days in observation QT. Those places have terrible stock. I am looking to order from Dr Reef if i can decide what i want. Yellow Coris Looks like the ticket.

 

[doubleshot00]

W

How hearty are Christmas wrasses? I just saw one at LFS. Compared to the yellow coris?

 

[Crabby48]

How hearty are Christmas wrasses? I just saw one at LFS. Compared to the yellow coris?

Christmas wrasse can mean a few difrent ones. Try and get real name but they should be pretty hardy. I only worry about how big and the aggression.

 

[ying yang]

My favourite fish in my tank is my silver belly coris wrasse,same as yellow coris wrasse in how acts and eats just only half yellow and its the brightest yellow ive ever seen ,absolutely love it and really cheap and from what I remember from same question you had on pest control ,was known or likely to eat quite a few so fit in perfectly