H. melanurus and H. iridis Compatibility?

[Jaag]

Hey R2R,
I know there are some wrasse wizards on here and I’m curious on melanurus wrasse and radiant wrasse compatibility. If they are compatible, what would tank size need to be? Any other insights?
Thanks

 

[fishguy242]

@SaltyT @Crabby48 @i cant think

 

[OrchidMiss]

@SaltyT @Crabby48 @i cant think

Beat me to it!

 

[KING KONG]

Hey R2R,
I know there are some wrasse wizards on here and I’m curious on melanurus wrasse and radiant wrasse compatibility. If they are compatible, what would tank size need to be? Any other insights?
Thanks

Add radiant first and then melanurus as radiant are delicate. I hv done that in past and they were fine. Still each individual is different. One thing is they love deep sand

 

[i cant think]

Hey R2R,
I know there are some wrasse wizards on here and I’m curious on melanurus wrasse and radiant wrasse compatibility. If they are compatible, what would tank size need to be? Any other insights?
Thanks

They are compatible, I would say 4’x2’ dimensions are the minimum for this to work.
Any dimensions smaller and it’s one or the other as IME, both of these get boisterous. My iridis overpowers my Chloropterus for now.

If you did go for both, I would add the iridis first, then get any other Halichoeres species you like into the tank and then add the melanurus later.

 

[Jaag]

Thanks for the info on that. What is a less boisterous Halichores and would be better than a melanurus in your guys opinions?

 

[Crabby48]

I would pass on Mel and pick a difrent wrasse. Mel are hit and miss with aggression. If you try add Mel last like others said.

 

[SaltyT]

I don’t have much else to add that hasn’t already been said. I‘ve had iridis and melanurus together and they got along fine, I’ve also kept melanurus with chrysus which is a close cousin to iridis and they got along fine. It also helps if there are other halichoeres in the tank to help disperse attention.

 

[Jaag]

What’s a better option from melanurus

 

[demonclownfish]

my melanarus tries to attack me through the glass.... but doesn't bother any fish. FWIW.

 

[OrionN]

Halichoeres biocellatus would be a good wrasse to have. I find that they are not as aggressive as Melanurus.
If you want to go for something other than a Halichoeres wrasse, an Anampses neoguinaicus would be a great wrasse to add. Unusual but very beautiful and relatively rare. I have both H. iridis and A. neoguinaicus in my tank. My tank is larger but I cannot see these two wrasses bother anybody. Contradary to many people's opinion, I like to keep a lot of my wrasses in pair or harem.
Female A. neoguinaicus

Male resting color

Male nuptial color

Both Male and Female China wrasse pair.

Male H. iridis

Male and female H. iridis

 

[OrionN]

So how big is your tank and what did (or decided) to get?
How are they doing?

 

[Jaag]

Well I haven’t been able to get my hands on a radiant wrasse yet. I have put any other halichores in my tank. It’s 50 gallons.

 

[Jaag]

I still haven’t seen any H. iridis for sale but plan on getting one once I find it available. What about H. biocellatus and H. cosmetus? Would either of those work?

 

[Jaag]

Halichoeres biocellatus would be a good wrasse to have. I find that they are not as aggressive as Melanurus.
If you want to go for something other than a Halichoeres wrasse, an Anampses neoguinaicus would be a great wrasse to add. Unusual but very beautiful and relatively rare. I have both H. iridis and A. neoguinaicus in my tank. My tank is larger but I cannot see these two wrasses bother anybody. Contradary to many people's opinion, I like to keep a lot of my wrasses in pair or harem.
Female A. neoguinaicus
View attachment 2996069

Male resting color
View attachment 2996070

Male nuptial color
View attachment 2996071

Both Male and Female China wrasse pair.
View attachment 2996086

Male H. iridis
View attachment 2996083

Male and female H. iridis
View attachment 2996081

@OrionN
I think my tank is too small for the China wrasse but I have to say it is a great looking fish.

 

[OrionN]

I just got a A. twistii. Still in my QT tank. I think I will like her. It is really hard for me to get a healthy Twistii. She is only about 1.25-1.5 inch. The Black Leopard is 1 inch, including the clear tail.

I also saw a really nice Iridis but she was for 100.00. I already used up my fish budget and Omer this month. I actually ahold not get the Twistii but cannot resist such healthy and small rare (to get healthy) wrasse.