All About Reef Safe Wrasses in Aquaria

[dsinsocal]

Is there a difference between Melanurus collected in Fiji and those collected in Melanesia? The price of the Melanesia version is 20% higher.

Never mind. I just found another thread with the same question, answered by the experts. No difference between the two. Thanks!

 

[dsinsocal]

I have the following in a 75 gallon:

C. lubbocki “Lubbock’s Fairy”
C. luteovittatus “Velvet Multicolor Fairy” or “Yellow-Banded Fairy”
C. isosceles “Pintail Fairy”

All have been living peacefully together for about 6 months.

I have a chance to buy a male C. rubrimarginatus “Pink Margin Fairy” -- approx. 2 inch.

I have concerns mostly about the size of the tank, since the Luteovittatus is already about 4 inches, and 90 gallons is suggested for both of these fish. I fear the cramped quarters might bring out some aggression between the two.

Valid concern?

 

[saltyhog]

I have the following in a 75 gallon:

C. lubbocki “Lubbock’s Fairy”
C. luteovittatus “Velvet Multicolor Fairy” or “Yellow-Banded Fairy”
C. isosceles “Pintail Fairy”

All have been living peacefully together for about 6 months.

I have a chance to buy a male C. rubrimarginatus “Pink Margin Fairy” -- approx. 2 inch.

I have concerns mostly about the size of the tank, since the Luteovittatus is already about 4 inches, and 90 gallons is suggested for both of these fish. I fear the cramped quarters might bring out some aggression between the two.

Valid concern?

Very valid I would think. The luteovittatus might get to be a problem even if the tank were twice the size it is.

 

[eatbreakfast]

I have the following in a 75 gallon:

C. lubbocki “Lubbock’s Fairy”
C. luteovittatus “Velvet Multicolor Fairy” or “Yellow-Banded Fairy”
C. isosceles “Pintail Fairy”

All have been living peacefully together for about 6 months.

I have a chance to buy a male C. rubrimarginatus “Pink Margin Fairy” -- approx. 2 inch.

I have concerns mostly about the size of the tank, since the Luteovittatus is already about 4 inches, and 90 gallons is suggested for both of these fish. I fear the cramped quarters might bring out some aggression between the two.

Valid concern?

It may or may not be an issue. A 75 has the same foot print as a 90g. Also, having 6 fairies will diffuse aggression. But that many fairies in that size tank can be volatile.

 

[cody hendrix]

I'm looking to find the best pellet to feed my fairy wrasse dominated tank. I also have genocanthus angles, two tangs, Randals anthias and leopard wrasse in the tank as well. I always feed a mixture of frozen foods but I'm looking for what is considered the best pellet food for my auto feeding.

I'm currently using pe pellets. What does everyone like?

 

[CoralWealth]

I currently have in my 180g DT

Female Golden Rhomb
Male lineatus wrasse
Male Labouts
Male Leopard Wrasse
Yellow Coris
Yellowfin Flasher
Eightline Flasher
Yellowchest Twist Wrasse

Would it be fine for me to add a radiant wrasse and male pink margin fairy wrasse?

I also want to add a super male pintail fairy wrasse sometime in the future.

 

[eatbreakfast]

I'm looking to find the best pellet to feed my fairy wrasse dominated tank. I also have genocanthus angles, two tangs, Randals anthias and leopard wrasse in the tank as well. I always feed a mixture of frozen foods but I'm looking for what is considered the best pellet food for my auto feeding.

I'm currently using pe pellets. What does everyone like?

PE pellets are good. I like New Life ther-a pellets.

I currently have in my 180g DT

Female Golden Rhomb
Male lineatus wrasse
Male Labouts
Male Leopard Wrasse
Yellow Coris
Yellowfin Flasher
Eightline Flasher
Yellowchest Twist Wrasse

Would it be fine for me to add a radiant wrasse and male pink margin fairy wrasse?

I also want to add a super male pintail fairy wrasse sometime in the future.

The lineatus may take particular aggressive interest in a pink margin.

A radiant should be fine.

 

[CoralWealth]

PE pellets are good. I like New Life ther-a pellets.

The lineatus may take particular aggressive interest in a pink margin.

A radiant should be fine.

My lineatus is the most shy but I will make sure I watch out for that. My leopard wrasse is the most dominant haha.

 

[CoralWealth]

would I be fine adding a choati wrasse with a male leopard wrasse?

 

[eatbreakfast]

would I be fine adding a choati wrasse with a male leopard wrasse?

Males can be a bit more aggressive and choati can be a bit more delicate. It's possible, but a risk.

 

[CoralWealth]

Males can be a bit more aggressive and choati can be a bit more delicate. It's possible, but a risk.

Thats what I thought. Would adding a large moyeri instead of the choati be a better option?

 

[eatbreakfast]

Thats what I thought. Would adding a large moyeri instead of the choati be a better option?

A moyeri can hold it's ground better, but may also be viewed as more of a challenger.

 

[CoralWealth]

A moyeri can hold it's ground better, but may also be viewed as more of a challenger.

Hmmm, what if I added the moyeri and choati at the same time? Maybe that would help aggression between all of them?

 

[eatbreakfast]

Hmmm, what if I added the moyeri and choati at the same time? Maybe that would help aggression between all of them?

That could work. But I would get them accustomed to your light schedule and fattened up before adding to the dt.

 

[CoralWealth]

That could work. But I would get them accustomed to your light schedule and fattened up before adding to the dt.

Sounds like a good plan, thanks!

 

[ascheff]

@eatbreakfast, I've come across a few posts where you mention H. richmondi as one of the smaller wrasses. I've always liked them, but dismissed them due to the 17cm size listed on Fishbase (almost marginatus big), as well as the 7.5" in Hunter's article of this thread. How big would you say they typically get?

The smaller Halichoeres, chrysus, leucoxanthus, leucurus, argus, timorensis, iridis, claudia, richmondi, to name a few.

I'm a big fan of some of the smaller, more peaceful Halichoeres species, such as biocellatus, iridis, chrysus, leucurus, richmondi, and argus.

Small, peaceful Halichoeres species, such as chrysus, leucurus, argus, leucoxanthus, biocellatus, and richmondi would work.

 

[eatbreakfast]

@eatbreakfast, I've come across a few posts where you mention H. richmondi as one of the smaller wrasses. I've always liked them, but dismissed them due to the 17cm size listed on Fishbase (almost marginatus big), as well as the 7.5" in Hunter's article of this thread. How big would you say they typically get?

I refer to them as a "smaller Halichoeres" based on demeanor and size. Their demeanor is on par with the the species I mentioned. And while it does get bigger than some of the mentioned species, it is smaller than most of the Caribbean and South American Halichoeres species, as well as Indo-Pacific species, such as checkerboards, green coris, and scapularis.

 

[ascheff]

I refer to them as a "smaller Halichoeres" based on demeanor and size. Their demeanor is on par with the the species I mentioned. And while it does get bigger than some of the mentioned species, it is smaller than most of the Caribbean and South American Halichoeres species, as well as Indo-Pacific species, such as checkerboards, green coris, and scapularis.

Thank you. Understood. I was hoping fishbase is wrong in this instance, as they are from time to time on size.

I've been looking for leucurus for a long time, but they seem scarse as hen's teeth. Almost thought richmondi could be the perfect alternative. Bummer.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Thank you. Understood. I was hoping fishbase is wrong in this instance, as they are from time to time on size.

I've been looking for leucurus for a long time, but they seem scarse as hen's teeth. Almost thought richmondi could be the perfect alternative. Bummer.

May I ask why the extra length on richmondi is limiting for you? If I remember correctly your tank should be able to comfortably house one.

 

[ascheff]

May I ask why the extra length on richmondi is limiting for you? If I remember correctly your tank should be able to comfortably house one.

My tank is a 5ft, so should technically be fine. For me it is more a matter of scale, compared to my other fishes, as the next biggest will be my lineatus and leucoxanthus. Maybe I'm just over-thinking things, haha.