All About Reef Safe Wrasses

Is this the case even with Supermale/female pairings? The reasoning I had with getting a pair/trio more related to maintaining colour than anything else.

The Rhomboids we seem to end up getting here are always pale, and to be frank rather unattractive. They are hard to get as it is here, and somewhat expensive, so I'm not sure I'd take the chance on a juvenile.

I've kept a number of wrasses in the past: Scott's (never again), Lineatus, Lubbocki, Nahackyi, etc and recently had pairs of Kuiteri, Choati, Vanuatu Melanarus, Dusky in a species specific tank. I've downgraded to a 3x3 and am now returning to Cirrhilabrus. I wanted a variation in colour, thus the query on any recommendations. The Lunatus and Exquisite are definite, but I'm open to suggestions on other Cirrhilabrus I may not have considered, regional variations I may not have seen.

 

It's always been the case for me, regardless of the situation. I've even had pairs/trios spawning with regularity, only to have the females transition to male a few months later. Just keeping males of different species will ensure the males keep color and flash at each other.

You would not be talking a chance on a juvi rhomboid; that's how they all look at that age. In time, it will be attractive just the same.

It's always difficult for me to provide specific recommendations to anyone. What visually appeals to someone is unique to their preference, and more importantly they will not likely find everything available at any given time. And then there's the budget aspect of course, but that's rather tertiary in this equation.

 

Dear Evolved,
What a great and useful article, thank you. I love wrasses and I have a tank dedicated to just about all wrasses. Every time I think about buying one, I check your list and see if it's compatible with the wrasses I have in my tank. It's been a valuable tool to say the least.
My current habitants in my 120g are as follow: pair of Lineatus wrasse, pair of Hooded wrasse,
a male Lubbock wrasse, a male Exquisite wrasse, a Goldflake angel, a Marine betta and 3 Pajama cardinals. No aggression at all with the wrasses, pretty mellow tank thanks to you.

Every time I add a wrasse, I use an acclimation box, like a critter cage, it really works.

 

Awesome! Glad to hear.

 

I did this. It has been at least 6 months since I got mine and I have seen no change. How long does something like this take Hunter?

 

Depends on their age when you obtain them, but it could be a couple years.

 

I'm still waiting for my Lanceolotus cf and Lunatus to come. A Super male exquisite came in from Vanuatu but wasn't that nice. I'm going to take your advice and not bother with pairs/trios except for maybe Exquisite as I understand they lose coloration without female. Would this still be case with other Cirrhilabrus males in the tank? Also I can get hold of some nice Vanuatu Condei, how would they go with the selected wrasse? Would there be an issue of aggression due to being Condei or with colour?

 

Likely not; males of other species should do the trick just the same.

Poorly.

Yes; the species is aggressive to other wrasses, and especially other Cirrhilabrus wrasses.

 

Hunter,

I have recently lost a couple of old fish, and now have some room for more Wrasses! Current stock below.

2 M. meleagris (Male/Female)
1 H. richmondi
1 C. rhomboidalis (Finally changing!)

I am on the lookout for a P. attenuatus. The wife wants a Mystery (I know!). What else would go well with this in a 120 (48x24x24)? Radiant? Femininus? I also have a Yellow Tang, ORA Naked Clown, 7 viridis Chromis, and a Blue Spot Jawfish. Thanks!

 

I'm very jealous you have a H. richmondi. I lost mine during a tank swap and haven't been able to find one since. My LFS checks every week so eventually I'll get another one.

I think a Radiant would be a great color contrast against the wrasse you currently have. I don't know if others have had the same problem, but in case it is a known issue, my Blue Spot Jawfish got beat up badly and I have to think it was the wrasses doing it because the only other fish I have are a Yellow Watchman that has always kept to itself, a small Randall's Goby and a Tailspot Blenny. I did read somewhere that Halichoeres and Jawfish don't always mix well but only found a couple of articles that said that.