All About Reef Safe Wrasses in Aquaria

[HairyGary]

Wanting to add a Paracheilinus carpenteri. It's noted they are jumpers. Was wondering if the canopy over the tank suffice for as a cover?

Tight fitting lid is necessary for long term success. I've seen and know of fellow reefers that have lost wrasse though small crevices and holes in lids. Good luck

 

[NDIrish]

Tight fitting lid is necessary for long term success. I've seen and know of fellow reefers that have lost wrasse though small crevices and holes in lids. Good luck

Thanks

 

[evolved]

Wanting to add a Paracheilinus carpenteri. It's noted they are jumpers. Was wondering if the canopy over the tank suffice for as a cover?

Just to add a bit more to what's already been said:
Even if your canopy was constructed such that it was inescapable, there are still many thing a fish can get stuck in or cut up from hanging within a canopy.
You still need a mesh top.

 

[OrionN]

My 40 gal hood, I build it and fill in the side with wood such that all the ledge are smooth and slanted down a little, there is no ledge that the fish fall back down to the water if he is thrashing around on it.
I build my own hood, it is about 8 inches high from the top of the aquarium so about 9+ inches from the water surface. Also the overflow is completely cover.
If you build your own hood, you can build it in such a way that if the fish jump up and trash around he will fall down to the water then it is safe.
Still wrasse jump hard and can injure themselves by hitting hard surface. The screen is best since they just bounce off the screen. My 65 gal and my 40 gal I build the hood for them so that was what I did. Have not lost a fish through jumping yet in these two tanks.

 

[GlassMunky]

@evolved i currently have a McCoskers in a 210 with a Pintail wrasse (new) that’s been in the tank for about a week now, and the McCoskers still chases him around a bit. Less than when first introduced but still a bit. The McCoskers also chases around some of the anthias in the tank so I think it’s mainly just territorial, but my question is at what point does the chasing become detrimental to the pintail? The pintail eats voraciously at feedings and I see no aggression/chasing then, just during the day.
Im also looking at adding a Potters Leopard in the near future and wondered your thoughts on him being added? We will use an acclimation box and the potters has gone through QT and is eating prepared foods already as well.
thanks for the help!

 

[evolved]

I think it’s mainly just territorial, but my question is at what point does the chasing become detrimental to the pintail?

If it turns into a scales flying fight, or if the pintail is forced into constant hiding, then it's a real problem. It still sounds okay to me, as currently described.

Im also looking at adding a Potters Leopard in the near future and wondered your thoughts on him being added?

Sounds like you've already conquered the tricky part of this species. Compatibility wise, neither of your current wrasse will pay much attention, if at all, to a leopard.

 

[GlassMunky]

If it turns into a scales flying fight, or if the pintail is forced into constant hiding, then it's a real problem. It still sounds okay to me, as currently described.

Sounds like you've already conquered the tricky part of this species. Compatibility wise, neither of your current wrasse will pay much attention, if at all, to a leopard.

I wouldn’t say that the pintail is forced into hiding, but he definitely stays on one half of the tank at all times other than feeding when he will go anywhere to get food.

 

[evolved]

I wouldn’t say that the pintail is forced into hiding, but he definitely stays on one half of the tank at all times other than feeding when he will go anywhere to get food.

I still think you're okay.

 

[mcshams]

I don't have an ID question for you, but my wife and I love wrasses. Can I put a Pintail Wrasse (currently have) with a Leopard Wrasse? Any potential conflicts that you know of between the two?

 

[evolved]

Can I put a Pintail Wrasse (currently have) with a Leopard Wrasse?

No compatibility issue there.

 

[Marc2952]

I currently have a splendid pintail and yellow coris wrasse thinking of adding two more but theres so many options!

 

[canadianeh]

would DIY red sea mesh kit sufficient to keep wrasse in? They usually come in either 1/2" or 1/4" size.

I guess the fancy acrylic lids such as Top Lids and Clearview lids will be out of the question for wrasse, right?

 

[canadianeh]

I like carpenter wrasses. Are they compatible with clowns, anthias, pj cardinals, dwarf angelfish, goby, and blenny?

 

[evolved]

would DIY red sea mesh kit sufficient to keep wrasse in? They usually come in either 1/2" or 1/4" size.

I guess the fancy acrylic lids such as Top Lids and Clearview lids will be out of the question for wrasse, right?

1/4" is perfect. It doesn't have to be fancy if you want to DIY it.

I like carpenter wrasses. Are they compatible with clowns, anthias, pj cardinals, dwarf angelfish, goby, and blenny?

Sounds fine.

 

[canadianeh]

1/4" is perfect. It doesn't have to be fancy if you want to DIY it.

Sounds fine.

No not fancy DIY Red Sea mesh kit.

I also was referring to those expensive acrylic lids made by Top Lids or Clearview Lids. Do you know which one I am talking about?

 

[evolved]

I also was referring to those expensive acrylic lids made by Top Lids or Clearview Lids. Do you know which one I am talking about?

Specifically no, but there's a lot of similar options out there today. I know the idea of what you're referring to.

 

[saltyhog]

Clearview lids (and several other similar brands) have an acrylic rim but are mesh tops. I have lids made by Octo Aquatics and have been very happy with them. This is what mine look like.

 

[shadow1013]

@evolved what is Paracheilinus alfiani name?

 

[OrionN]

@evolved what is Paracheilinus alfiani name?

That is the name of this species. It is not imported, as far as I know (not that I know a lot about this topic) so there is not a common name, other than Alfian's Flasher wrasse.

 

[evolved]

@evolved what is Paracheilinus alfiani name?

I am a bit confused, as that is the name. The common name is simply Alfian's Flasher.
But as OrionN says, it is not available in the trade as it stands.