FishWife October 11, 2007 October 11, 2007 We are thinking of adding a wrasse as our second fish to a newish reef tank (with second-hand, well seasoned live rocks, refugium in place, etc.). I saw a sixline wrasse in Steve Outlaw's tank and it just looked like it had personality plus. I have a couple of questions: 1. I read about harems of wrasses... Do these do well in schools, or is it one/tank? We have a bow 80 display to work with. 2. I'm finding out that there are a huge number of wrasses... what are some favorite species among us, and why do we like them best? 3. Can I mix wrasse species in one tank? I know they jump; any other concerns issues we should know? TIA for answering!
lanman October 11, 2007 October 11, 2007 We are thinking of adding a wrasse as our second fish to a newish reef tank (with second-hand, well seasoned live rocks, refugium in place, etc.). I saw a sixline wrasse in Steve Outlaw's tank and it just looked like it had personality plus. I have a couple of questions: 1. I read about harems of wrasses... Do these do well in schools, or is it one/tank? We have a bow 80 display to work with. 2. I'm finding out that there are a huge number of wrasses... what are some favorite species among us, and why do we like them best? 3. Can I mix wrasse species in one tank? I know they jump; any other concerns issues we should know? TIA for answering! I have a 6-line in my main tank, and a 6-line in my frag tank. They are 'easy keepers' - mine love to eat pods, flake, shrimp, fish - anything I put in there. The one in the frag tank also eats flatworms. Well - ATE flatworms. I haven't seen a flatworm in a month or so. Dhoch has a section about wrasses on his website. Last selection on the list: http://www.danj.com/reef/index.php bob
dhoch October 11, 2007 October 11, 2007 Wrasses for the most part are great fish. I'm particular to the fairy wrasses (very brightly colored and beautiful fish). Mystery Wrasses and 6 lines (and their ilk) can be aggressive towardes fairy and flasher wrasses.... and don't mix very well (unless you ahve a LARGE tank). Dave
toastiireefs October 11, 2007 October 11, 2007 Wrasses for the most part are great fish. I'm particular to the fairy wrasses (very brightly colored and beautiful fish). Mystery Wrasses and 6 lines (and their ilk) can be aggressive towardes fairy and flasher wrasses.... and don't mix very well (unless you ahve a LARGE tank). Dave i have never had a wrasse but i must agree that the fairies are the most beautiful though i do love the carpenter flasher wrasse for color
dandy7200 October 11, 2007 October 11, 2007 6 line is one of the most aggressive wrasses. If it is your first wrasse in the tank, make sure it is your only wrasse in the tank. It might be best if you look at the entire livestock plan. What fish do you really, really want (can't live without) and work your way down to the ones you just kind of like. If you plan ahead, you can really add them in the right order so no major stress is caused to you or the fish. Some fish just won't stand each other so if you really wanted a Hooded fairy wrasse for example but put a sixline in first your $15 fish would kill your $200 dream fish and you would be kind of bummed.
flowerseller October 11, 2007 October 11, 2007 A six line wrasse could be the last wrasse you'll add to the tank. Very territorial and aggressive as mentioned. I have a pinstripe (actually reef safe and not a 12 line) but it may be more defensive than I'd like. Glad I had the leopard wrasse (considered difficult) first. Follow stocking advise above and as usual, ask questions
rrubberbandman October 11, 2007 October 11, 2007 A six line wrasse could be the last wrasse you'll add to the tank. Very territorial and aggressive as mentioned. I have a pinstripe (actually reef safe and not a 12 line) but it may be more defensive than I'd like. Glad I had the leopard wrasse (considered difficult) first. Follow stocking advise above and as usual, ask questions I had a sixline in my 20 gallon along with four other fish...but he was the last fish i added , so it worked....... as far as them being bad a$$'s...is it because they are mean or just because they arent afraid of other fish?
flowerseller October 12, 2007 October 12, 2007 I'd believe both and they don't neccessarily discriminate against who they bully.
lanman October 12, 2007 October 12, 2007 A six line wrasse could be the last wrasse you'll add to the tank. Very territorial and aggressive as mentioned. I have a pinstripe (actually reef safe and not a 12 line) but it may be more defensive than I'd like. Glad I had the leopard wrasse (considered difficult) first. Follow stocking advise above and as usual, ask questions I would never have guessed. The 6-line was the first fish in my 58; and has never shown any aggressiveness to any of the other fish, even at eating time. He IS very cocky - when the Anthia turned male and started threatening everyone - the 6-line just ignored him. But I have since added a lot of smaller fish (no wrasses), and he's never even made a run at them. He is just totally ho-hum about everything. Don't know about the one in the frag tank - he's the only fish there. bob
zotzer October 12, 2007 October 12, 2007 I'd love to add either a mystery or a mckosker's wrasse, but not until I upgrade my lights so that I am able to add some sort of lid. It's great to come here and ask for advice...as you can see WAMAS members can save you lots of headaches!! Tracy
FishWife October 12, 2007 Author October 12, 2007 So... now I'm confused again. We're building a two-tank system. This is our reef tank; later we'll do a FOWLR tank, so I don't feel like I need a whole lot of fish. People are telling me, seemingly, that there are several "last fish" to add. Here's my wish list so far: We have a maroon clown, so she will be the first fish to go in. Then: we need a cleanup crew. --Snails (any to avoid?) --Crabs (I guess Redtipped Leg Hermits are a favorite?) --Peppermint shrimps (starting with 3-5) 'cause I know we have tiny aiptasias on some of our live rocks. We did kill the big ones, but we want them ALL gone. --There's already a bristle banded starfish in our rocks, too. THEN: We want... --One to four yellow tangs (I think; unless someone has a better idea). My husband likes these 'cause we saw them when diving in Hawaii. We think we want at least one; four might be fun to watch since we don't need a lot of fish in this reef tank.) --Sixline wrasse (I think... maybe a fairy wrasse instead, or both? I'm new to wrasses.) --And, an Orange Spot Blenny (Blenniella chrysospilos) OTHER/MORE? IDEAS? What have we missed? And in what order do we add the above?
zotzer October 12, 2007 October 12, 2007 Avoid bumble bee snails and welks. They are predator snails. As for the tangs, go with one yellow, and then you have room for three more (hi bio-load) fish! Maybe an angelfish (Potter's angel is from Hawaii!!), and the black and white H. Dyphretus (sp?) butterfly fish that BRK gets in from time to time. And, a big YES on the orange-spot. He is my favorite fish by a MILE!!! Most of all...have fun! Tracy
rioreef October 12, 2007 October 12, 2007 I like watching my six-line swim fast along the rocks in & out of the corals, like a bird through the trees.
HowardofNOVA October 13, 2007 October 13, 2007 Iloved my Yellow Canary "Coris" Wrasse! Beautiful and great personality!
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