Wrasses - Temperaments and Behaviors

[btkrausen]

Would like to start some type of list that incorporates the popular fairy & flasher wrasses with temperaments and behaviors between them as a reference for members. Most online resources like LA list almost all fairy and flashers as Peaceful, yet we all know that many of them are aggressive towards other wrasses. Please post your experience with wrasses and I'll continue to update the first post. I'll start with my experiences and knowledge.


Fairy Wrasses

Adornatus Fairy - Aggressive towards newly added wrasses
Labouti Fairy - Aggressive towards newly added wrasses - Peaceful afterwards
Long Fin Fairy - Aggressive towards newly added wrasses - Peaceful afterwards
Lineatus Fairy - Peaceful towards wrasses
Red Head Solon Fairy - Active/Bold - Very aggressive towards other fairy and flasher wrasses
Rhomboid Fairy - Active - Peaceful towards other wrasses and tankmates
Scott's Fairy - Aggressive towards other wrasses

Flasher Wrasses

Blue Flasher - Peaceful towards other wrasses
Filamented Flasher - Active - Peaceful towards other wrasses
Royal Flasher - Peaceful - Slightly aggressive towards wrasses of same color/shape

 

[evolved]

This is something I tried to cover with my Reef Safe Wrasse Guide as well (All About Reef Safe Wrasses - 3reef Forums)

However, what makes this issue hard is the variable of each individual fish's demeanor/attitude. Your Rhomboid has been peaceful; mine is occasionally mildly aggressive. You can lump each species into their norms, but there's always exceptions.

I'll share a related story. We know C. rubrimarginatus to be generally mild in temperament (with the exception of C. lineatus; and likewise with the lineatus, btw). However, I know of a particular super male rubrimarginatus that was once placed into a massive 10'x3'x3' tank and it proceeded to kill ALL other wrasses in the tank, including an adult male C. scottorum (which we know is generally the most aggressive of them all).

Point being, even with guidelines, it's always a YMMV situation. It's up to the aquarist to be vigilant.

 

[btkrausen]

This is something I tried to cover with my Reef Safe Wrasse Guide as well (All About Reef Safe Wrasses - 3reef Forums)

However, what makes this issue hard is the variable of each individual fish's demeanor/attitude. Your Rhomboid has been peaceful; mine is occasionally mildly aggressive. You can lump each species into their norms, but there's always exceptions.

I'll share a related story. We know C. rubrimarginatus to be generally mild in temperament (with the exception of C. lineatus; and likewise with the lineatus, btw). However, I know of a particular super male rubrimarginatus that was once placed into a massive 10'x3'x3' tank and it proceeded to kill ALL other wrasses in the tank, including an adult male C. scottorum (which we know is generally the most aggressive of them all).

Point being, even with guidelines, it's always a YMMV situation. It's up to the aquarist to be vigilant.

Thanks. I recall somebody creating something similar but didn't remember where it was.

What is your experience with Adornatus?

 

[evolved]

Thanks. I recall somebody creating something similar but didn't remember where it was.

What is your experience with Adornatus?

I don't have direct experience with them as they don't appeal much to me. But given what I've heard you are correct. That's what I'd expect of one as well, given they're pretty similar to a lubbocki.

 

[btkrausen]

I have a female now and actually bought the pair on LADD but cancelled it due to possible aggression in the future. I really want a male since I have a female already and that would have given me a trio.

 

[evolved]

You probably would have been alright.

I'm kinda over trying to keep Cirrhilabrus pairs/trios. I always end up with only males, heh. I've always managed to have them work it out, but it's unnecessary stress on me and the fish. LOL

 

[Wy Renegade]

This is something I tried to cover with my Reef Safe Wrasse Guide as well (All About Reef Safe Wrasses - 3reef Forums).

Excellent job! Some great info there.

We also have highlighted Paracheilinus mccoskeri in one of the R2R spotlight series articles located here;
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/r2...f2reef-spotlight-paracheilinus-mccoskeri.html

 

[Aquaph8]

My experiences with the ones I have in my tank now:

C. rubripinnis- Mines been mildly aggressive but its all bark, he has his moments but most of the time he hangs right along the side of my mccoskers. Will attempt to bully new comers if they let him.

C. rubrimarginatus- Mines is very big and very easy going but will not tolerate being bullied, doesn't mind new comers at all.

C. labouti- Mine is very small, so he's been peaceful so far but has never shown any fear to any other fish. Doesn't seem to mind new comers as of yet.

P. mccoskeri- always very peaceful other than the occasional chasing of firefish. Everyone wants to chase someone once in a while.


Ill update this with the eighline when he gets out of QT.

 

[btkrausen]

You probably would have been alright.

I'm kinda over trying to keep Cirrhilabrus pairs/trios. I always end up with only males, heh. I've always managed to have them work it out, but it's unnecessary stress on me and the fish. LOL

Interesting...I called and cancelled my order this morning, yet at 2:15pm I receive a tracking number. Thought it as a mistake but after checking FedEx just now its definitely on its way. Pretty odd since LA already cancelled the order and my paypal shows the change as Canceling.

Guess if they show up tomorrow I'll have to call to make sure they charge me for them again.

 

[btkrausen]

My experiences with the ones I have in my tank now:

C. rubripinnis- Mines been mildly aggressive but its all bark, he has his moments but most of the time he hangs right along the side of my mccoskers. Will attempt to bully new comers if they let him.

C. rubrimarginatus- Mines is very big and very easy going but will not tolerate being bullied, doesn't mind new comers at all.

C. labouti- Mine is very small, so he's been peaceful so far but has never shown any fear to any other fish. Doesn't seem to mind new comers as of yet.

P. mccoskeri- always very peaceful other than the occasional chasing of firefish. Everyone wants to chase someone once in a while.


Ill update this with the eighline when he gets out of QT.

Thanks Brett. This is some of the information I'd like to compile, along with evolved's information he's put together. Basically want to just get different peoples experiences with the fish to help people make better decisions on purchasing multiple wrasses.