Wrasses for control

[aggrofish]

+1 on a 6 line being *****. Harassed a kole tank that was 5x its size making it sick and killed a clown

 

[damsels are not mean]

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.

What does pests mean?
When people say to get wrasses for "pest control" I raise an eyebrow because I don't know what pests they're talking about. Some wrasses may eat some small bristle worms, maybe they'll eat red bugs and flatworms but obviously not enough to deal with such infestations in any real way otherwise those coral pests would not be such a big issue in the hobby...

 

[Haacheew]

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.

I second to Crabby48. Once, I had a Sixline in a 75-gallon tank with total of 6 small fish. After a year or so, it harassed all its tank mates; especially a Soloman Island clown fish to death. Unbelieveable as it sounds, such a small fish and such a fierce devil. I had no choice but to remove it. Now, I have a Red-lined wrasse for a year, it seems to be a good citizen, it helps keep bristle worms under control; I haven't seen worms coming out at night anymore.

 

[Crabby48]

I second to Crabby48. Once, I had a Sixline in a 75-gallon tank with total of 6 small fish. After a year or so, it harassed all its tank mates; especially a Soloman Island clown fish to death. Unbelieveable as it sounds, such a small fish and such a fierce devil. I had no choice but to remove it. Now, I have a Red-lined wrasse for a year, it seems to be a good citizen, it helps keep bristle worms under control; I haven't seen worms coming out at night anymore.

Sorry you went through it. Most are bought small and young. Once it matures nature will take over. The peaceful wrasse can be nasty once they are mature.

 

[skiwez]

While a wrasse may not cure an infestation once full blown. In my experience I've found that they can prevent problems from starting. So as the op stated. He has no current problems he is looking for ways to prevent issues. Or put another way add a fish to his tank that has a job.

 

[Lavey29]

I have a rohmboid wrasse, yellow coris, pintail fairy, 6 line and blue streak cleaner. No pests in my tank but no pods either due to the crew.

 

[damsels are not mean]

While a wrasse may not cure an infestation once full blown. In my experience I've found that they can prevent problems from starting. So as the op stated. He has no current problems he is looking for ways to prevent issues. Or put another way add a fish to his tank that has a job.

What problems though?

 

[doubleshot00]

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.

What about red-lined?

 

[Crabby48]

What about red-lined?

If you mean Halichoeres biocellatus they are a good choice

 

[Haacheew]

Since I have had this Red-lined I haven't seen any bristle worms surfacing during night or day. I used to have a freaking swarmp of worms coming out whenever I fed ReefRoids. It was a horrid movies. I have 1 peppermint shrimp, 2 clowns, 1 Spottail, 1 Red-lined. The Red-lined lives peacefully with it's tank mates. But the female clown is a bit territorial toward the Red-lined. (Been thinking to upgrade to a bigger tank Fiji Cube 32 that's is an almost perfect size I like.)

 

[doubleshot00]

If you mean Halichoeres biocellatus they are a good choice

Its the one Dr Reef sells. https://drreefsquarantinedfish.com/product/red-lined-wrasse-xmas-wrasse/

 

[doubleshot00]

Since I have had this Red-lined I haven't seen any bristle worms surfacing during night or day. I used to have a freaking swarmp of worms coming out whenever I fed ReefRoids. It was a horrid movies. I have 1 peppermint shrimp, 2 clowns, 1 Spottail, 1 Red-lined. The Red-lined lives peacefully with it's tank mates. But the female clown is a bit territorial toward the Red-lined. (Been thinking to upgrade to a bigger tank Fiji Cube 32 that's is an almost perfect size I like.)

That is a beautiful fish. I like that a lot

 

[Haacheew]

That is a beautiful fish. I like that a lot

Thank you. From certain angles it shows 2 glittering gold lines. That's pretty.

 

[doubleshot00]

Thank you. From certain angles it shows 2 glittering gold lines. That's pretty.

Awesome on Dr Reef site you have the option to buy male and female. I may order both.

 

[Haacheew]

Awesome on Dr Reef site you have the option to buy male and female. I may order both.

Melanurus Wrasse looks awesome, as well as good at pests control, but it will get big and needs larger tank.
Article about reason to keep a Melanurus:
https://www.saltwateraquariumblog.com/7-reasons-to-keep-the-melanurus-wrasse/

 

[Crabby48]

Its the one Dr Reef sells. https://drreefsquarantinedfish.com/product/red-lined-wrasse-xmas-wrasse/

That is the one and a good choice

 

[doubleshot00]

Since I have had this Red-lined I haven't seen any bristle worms surfacing during night or day. I used to have a freaking swarmp of worms coming out whenever I fed ReefRoids. It was a horrid movies. I have 1 peppermint shrimp, 2 clowns, 1 Spottail, 1 Red-lined. The Red-lined lives peacefully with it's tank mates. But the female clown is a bit territorial toward the Red-lined. (Been thinking to upgrade to a bigger tank Fiji Cube 32 that's is an almost perfect size I like.)

Does it bury in the sand?

 

[Haacheew]

Does it bury in the sand?

Yes. I provide it with a plastic container filled with Fiji Live sand because I have bare bottom tank. It burrows under sand bed during night time.