All About Reef Safe Wrasses

I was surprised when I read that about the Naoko. So far he's been pretty docile and while my Pink Margin isn't really bullying him, he's definitely showing his alpha side. The Naoko is fairly small yet so I'm hoping I'll be able to add the others on my list soon before it does become an issue.

What are your thoughts on buying females instead of males if the females are going to eventually turn anyway? It seems like this might be a way to save a little money and hopefully buy more time since there isn't a way to tell the age of a terminal phase male.

 

Precisely!

 

Hello again Evolved, thank you again for such a good thread, I refer to it often.

My brother recently purchased a H. biocellatus and it is getting picked on. He wants to find it a new home. I have a 40 breeder that contains a C. Lubbocki along with a few other fish. I see on Live Aquaria the minimum tank size is 50 gallons. Would my 40 breeder be too small? Would their be potential problems with a C. Lubbocki? I would take him if it would work but if it would be best to go another route that is what we will do.
Thanks for any advice!

 

Thanks for the nice words.

I feel that would be fine. H. biocellatus is one of the smaller species of the genus, and I wouldn't hesitate to keep one in a 40 breeder.

 

I've been pretty busy adding fish to my 180 over the last few weeks. I decided to go with the approach of adding a number at once so that none had a chance to really establish a territory they might want to fight for and it's worked out fantastically.

Fairy Wrasse – The Naoko (C. naokoae) and Pink Margin (C. rubrimarginatus) settled down pretty quickly and neither harasses the other at all. I’ve since added one other fairy wrasse. It was listed as a female Red-Headed Solon (C. solorensis) but I understand they are almost always misidentified. I’m hoping that whatever it actually is, it’ll play nicely with the others. The Naoko chases it around a bit but doesn’t keep it in hiding all the time and doesn’t nip at it. It’ll swim away but immediately comes out again. I’d hoped to add a Golden Rhomboid Fairy (C. rhomboidalis) and Flame (C. jordani) but I’m a little leery since I have some fairly aggressive fairy wrasse already. Maybe down the road once I bump up to a bigger tank.

Tamarin Wrasse – In addition to the Black-Backed (A. neoguinaicus) I’ve added a Yellow-Breasted (A. twistii). It wasn’t one on my interest list but when I saw this one come in I was surprised how much I liked the looks of it. Photos don’t do some of these fish justice. It wasn’t eating when it first came in but my LFS is so great, they agreed to keep it on hold for me until they saw it eat. I picked it up 5 days later and it immediately buried itself but has been out and about eating vigorously ever since.

Halichoeres – I already had a Yellow (H. chrysus) and have since added an Adorned (H. cosmetus), Melanarus (H. melanurus), Radiant (H. iridis) and Red-Lined (H. biocellatus). I’m currently on the hunt for a Richmonds (H. richmondi).
I have, in addition to the 10 wrasse which will go to 11 once I find another Richmonds - a Tailspot Blenny, Randall’s Goby, Yellow Watchman Goby and a Blue Spot Jawfish. I feed fairly heavily but have a great skimmer and run ozone so my water quality has always been excellent. I’ve kept a higher number of fish in the tank in the past but many were smaller than what the wrasse will eventually grow to. I’m going to be bumping up to a 360g aquarium but it’ll probably be 3 years before I actually get it in and running as it’s going to be a lengthy and expensive process, including some remodeling of my house. So while I’d like to add some flashers, at this point I probably shouldn’t.

I'm really happy I decided to go with a wrasse tank. The movement and colors are just amazing.

 

it would be nice to see some pictures of your tank and fish

 

The tank overall isn't much to look at right now. I recently started over with new rock and only have part of it in the tank right now. So I have a little rock and about half of my coral on frag racks. All of my SPS is at a friend's house while I get through the rock additions. I'm adding some more rock this next weekend and then the larger Tonga branch structure I've been working on will go into a tub to cycle and should be ready to go into the tank in 6-8 weeks.

I've tried getting a video of the fish but it always turns out really washed out. I've been crazy busy with work the last few weeks but things will quiet down for a bit now and I'll have time to play with white balance and light settings so I can hopefully get a good video. I have managed to get a few somewhat decent photos. No luck capturing the Naoko's, Solor (or whatever it actually is) or Yellow-Breasted Tamarin.

 

I forgot I had this picture. A friend of mine built a light bar for me so I could ditch my canopy. As I said, pretty sparse right now.

 

Evolved, firstly great write up!
I'm looking at a purchase of Philippine Lunatus pair/trio (can't get Japanese lunatus in Oz), Vanuatu Exquisite pair, and probably a Lineatus pair for a 3x3. I had considered a Rhomboid pair, but it seems those that end up being shipped to Oz aren't that nice, they all end up in US unfortunately. I wanted to check compatibility. I tried going with peaceful for the most part, and colouring/size that wouldn't clash. Any other suggestions/stand outs you think I might look at as further additions/replacements?

 

Great shots SnoQ!

First, thank you! I'm glad you found it useful!

Now, as to your questions, I must first say I don't bother much with Cirrhilabrus and/or Paracheilinus pairs/trios anymore; females always seem to find a way to transition to male regardless is there are other males in the tank. And watching males of the same species constantly squabble is something I'd rather spare myself from.
Also, I personally would not feel comfortable with a lineatus in that size of tank; I would like to see them in something larger (4'+). That being said, I'd stick to species which do not exceed 5" at most.
One last thing; I would not rule out rhomboids for the reason you stated. For the most part, a rhomboid is a rhomboid; they all have equal potential to develop into a stunning male. If you're able to get a juvi (and therefore not as exciting), not only will this save you cost, but you will be able to watch it grow and transition to male over time.