Melanarus wrasse safe with fan worms?

Reefer Dan · Mar 19, 2024

I had a yellow Coris wrasse and loved it, but it jumped out and so I was thinking about replacing it with a melanarus— but I wanted to see what the consensus is on if they are safe with coco worms, Christmas tree worms, cleaner shrimp, and porcelain crabs?

Is the melanarus safe or should I go with another yellow Coris wrasse?

EgotisticObeseChihuahua · Mar 19, 2024

Generally, they are not considered safe, but many people say that if they added the wrasse before any of the shrimp etc. Then the wrasse did alright. I will see for myself as I ordered a Mel wrasse from DrReef, and I have a cleaner shrimp and some peppermint shrimp.

nereefpat · Mar 19, 2024

I have kept both of those wrasses long-term, but never tried those worms. I would suspect that the risk would be pretty much the same between those two species of pretty similar wrasses.

If you want something that isn't exactly the same fish, H. luecoxanthus is the closest cousin to chrysus (yellow "coris"). Other good, smallish, Halichoeres are biocellatus, cluadia, and radiant (that one is a terrible shipper), and a couple others.

If you want wrasses with no chance of messing with your worms and other motile inverts, fairies and flashers are water column feeders (plankton eaters).

Reefer Dan · Mar 19, 2024

nereefpat said:
I have kept both of those wrasses long-term, but never tried those worms. I would suspect that the risk would be pretty much the same between those two species of pretty similar wrasses.

If you want something that isn't exactly the same fish, H. luecoxanthus is the closest cousin to chrysus (yellow "coris"). Other good, smallish, Halichoeres are biocellatus, cluadia, and radiant (that one is a terrible shipper), and a couple others.

If you want wrasses with no chance of messing with your worms and other motile inverts, fairies and flashers are water column feeders (plankton eaters).

It sounds like the melanarus may be a high risk. I’m most worried about my Christmas tree and coco worms. I think I’ll probably try the yellow Coris again, but I wasn’t aware of the biocellatus, I will look into that one. I appreciate all the insights and help!