All About Reef Safe Wrasses in Aquaria

[dsinsocal]

In case anyone is wondering just how far a wrasse can jump out of the tank....

During feeding time yesterday I walked out of the office to grab another cup from the kitchen so I could strain the frozen mysis. The lid was off and I was gone for, literally, 20 seconds. Toward the end of feeding time -- after target feeding some inverts and LPS, and dumping the rest into the tank for the fish -- I noticed that my Blue Flasher was unaccounted for, which was really unusual. I immediately searched around the tank for a carcass but didn't see anything, so I then went into search and rescue mode around the floor of the tank. I looked all over the place, 360 degrees within 3 feet of the stand. I couldn't find anything so I was just hoping that he was tired and decided to go into his rock hole early.

Note to anyone in a similar situation in the future: expand your search area to at least 10 feet around the tank if you suspect a jumper. I walked into my office this morning -- in full sunlight mode -- and saw this... Look behind the chair.

Let my stupidity be a lesson to everyone else. Don't leave the tank uncovered for even a single second, and never underestimate the distance these guys can cover when they jump.

 

[Fishnut]

I feel your pain. I just lost my Blue Flasher yesterday. I found him cooked under the LEDs after squeezing through a 1/2” gap in the glass canopy at the return. On two previous occasion he jumped out right in front of me while I was feeding the tank. It was my favorite wrasse.

 

[fishybizzness]

Here's my slippery d*** wrasse. I have two and I guess I've been lucky so far as I don't have a cover and have had them for almost 2 years! They just lays on the sand and stare at me when I sit in front of the tank.

 

[bonomo53]

I currently have a diamond tail flasher. Would I have any compatibly issues adding a Royal flasher? Tank is around 88 gallons.
Thanks in advance.

 

[HairyGary]

I currently have a diamond tail flasher. Would I have any compatibly issues adding a Royal flasher? Tank is around 88 gallons.
Thanks in advance.

Should be fine. Just be sure to use acclimation box when introducing.

 

[DarthSimon]

Hunter,
I am also an avid Wrasse collector, and since I jumped over to R2R from the other forum 2 years back. I never had a chance to read this article!!!
Well done and thank you!!!.

 

[evolved]

I currently have a diamond tail flasher. Would I have any compatibly issues adding a Royal flasher? Tank is around 88 gallons.
Thanks in advance.

Should be fine. Just be sure to use acclimation box when introducing.

Agree.

Hunter,
I am also an avid Wrasse collector, and since I jumped over to R2R from the other forum 2 years back. I never had a chance to read this article!!!
Well done and thank you!!!.

Thanks!

 

[dsinsocal]

Agree.

Thanks!

Hunter,
Will a female Attenuatus absolutely turn male in an aquarium eventually? Would it be worth picking up a female for $150, given that the males go for upward of $500?

I assume the same compatibility would apply as the rest of the flasher family -- ok with Pintail, Lubbocks and Yellow Streak Fairy Wrasses?

 

[evolved]

Will a female Attenuatus absolutely turn male in an aquarium eventually? Would it be worth picking up a female for $150, given that the males go for upward of $500?

Almost certainly, and therefore yes.

I assume the same compatibility would apply as the rest of the flasher family -- ok with Pintail, Lubbocks and Yellow Streak Fairy Wrasses?

Should be okay. Acclimation box as always.

 

[dsinsocal]

Live Aquaria sells Halichoeres biocellatus from Fiji, Indonesia, New Caledonia and Vanuatu. Are there notable differences in appearance between the fish in those different regions?

 

[eatbreakfast]

Live Aquaria sells Halichoeres biocellatus from Fiji, Indonesia, New Caledonia and Vanuatu. Are there notable differences in appearance between the fish in those different regions?

No visible differences.

 

[homer1475]

I think I should be fine here, but want to make sure.

I currently have a yellow corris wrasse whos been the only wrasse in my tank for a couple months now. I recently found a wraase I've been looking for for a long time(LFS's in these parts are hard to come by, and shipping fish has not ended up well for me) A tanaka's pygmy wrasse.

I don't think there will be any aggression between them, but am open to any suggestions. I also plan on adding in a black leopard at some point as well.

 

[eatbreakfast]

I think I should be fine here, but want to make sure.

I currently have a yellow corris wrasse whos been the only wrasse in my tank for a couple months now. I recently found a wraase I've been looking for for a long time(LFS's in these parts are hard to come by, and shipping fish has not ended up well for me) A tanaka's pygmy wrasse.

I don't think there will be any aggression between them, but am open to any suggestions. I also plan on adding in a black leopard at some point as well.

They should all be fine together.

 

[homer1475]

They should all be fine together.

Thank you. I thought so, but wanted to make sure. Would you use an acclimation box for any of them?

 

[eatbreakfast]

Thank you. I thought so, but wanted to make sure. Would you use an acclimation box for any of them?

An acclimation box shouldn't be necessary for the pygmy wrasse, but I would use it for the leopard.

 

[homer1475]

Thank you again! Acclimation box is on my list to buy then.

 

[evolved]

An acclimation box shouldn't be necessary for the pygmy wrasse, but I would use it for the leopard.

Agree

 

[homer1475]

Again thank you both. Do you have any recommendations for an acclimation box? I cannot find the EA one on the web anywhere, and I'm not on the book of faces to ping them for one.

 

[dwest]

Again thank you both. Do you have any recommendations for an acclimation box? I cannot find the EA one on the web anywhere, and I'm not on the book of faces to ping them for one.

I drilled some holes in one of these:
https://www.petsmart.com/reptile/ha...e-critter-reptile-tote-15051.html?cgid=500118

 

[evolved]

Again thank you both. Do you have any recommendations for an acclimation box? I cannot find the EA one on the web anywhere, and I'm not on the book of faces to ping them for one.

Just Googling around, but the "Tanklimate" piques my interest. No idea about any of its flaws however.