All About Reef Safe Wrasses

so I read through as much of this thread as possible, of course i tend to research before asking a question and often times it ends up confusing me more ... Should be relatively simple, I have a Hoeven's wrasse in my tank (for about a week) and am looking to add another...what would be a good compatible wrasse to add? I would prefer a non sand sleeper if possible but it's by no means a requirement. I have an acclimation box so that's not a worry.. Any help would be appreciated.

 

To help answer your question, it would help to know some more details such as: tank size, how long its been setup, whether its 100% covered or not (I assume it is, but you never no!), what other tankmates you have, how large the existing H. melanurus is and how long it has been in the tank for. Note that people have had mixed results with H. melanurus. Some are "model citizens", others have had to remove theirs due to aggression.

 

Thanks for the reply!

It's a standard 75 gallon tank with 35 gallon sump. It is 100% covered with 1/4 mesh. It has been up and running since March. I do seed with pods and will be splitting 2 liters worth between the fuge and display tomorrow. The melanurus has been in here for 1 week tomorrow, and is probably 3 inches long.

I have a pair of di Vinci clowns, yellow clown goby, lawnmower blenny, and a flame angel. So far everyone has been getting along just fine. No aggression, no chasing, everyone is just palling around. The YCG actually will ride on the blenny around the tank. I was worried about the Angel at first so I put the melanurus in an acclimation box for a day or so, but the Angel really paid no mind. No issues when I let him loose into the tank either.

 

Sorry to be late on this.
You could get away with quite a bit; you have a lot of choices. Paracheilinus would all be fine (I haven't seen any attenuatus for a bit now), and another Halichoeres would also work. A different Cirrhilabrus would also be safe, sans the handful of aggressors to avoid.
Really, just about whatever you want, minus the Mystery.

I haven't heard that one, but I could see it in a small tank. Jawfish are pretty protective of their sand territory, and the Halichoeres like to cruise the sand for food. So long as the tank is 90+, I don't see this being much of a problem.

I would look towards the Paracheilinus or Cirrhilabrus genera.

 

Great, I was looking at a couple fairies so that works out! Thanks for your help

 

Evolved. Incredible thread. I have a 65 gallon that currently has two wrasses. a Naoko and a McCoskers. They have been in the tank for about 6 weeks and get along great. I know the Naoko can be a bit more on the aggressive side- especially with other fairy Wrasses but this one has been great with the flasher I have. I have the opportunity to get a beautiful hooded fairy wrasse and would love to. However I am concerned about how he would get along with the Naoko. I have an elite aquatics acclimation box and would follow your advice there but wondered what your thoughts would be. I know there are no guarantees.

 

I was really surprised when it happened considering I have a 180g tank. Just like people though, some fish don't get along despite what the species norm is.

On a positive note, I have added 2 new wrasses since my last post.

The first was a Koi Fairy Wrasse (C.adornatus). I picked up a social acclimation box from Elite Aquatics at MACNA and was excited to use it for the first time. What I didn't do is put something on the lid to keep it closed, which I would now recommend as a best practice. The new fish was in the box for a couple of hours and then I heard a ruckus. When I checked, the new wrasse was still in the acclimation box, but was sharing it with my Melanurus who was not at all happy about the situation. I couldn't get one out without the other, so I let them both go. I thought for sure my Naoko's would go after the new wrasse, but they all got along right away.

The second wrasse I was really excited about. I was finally able to get a new Richmond's wrasse. It's a gorgeous male, about 4.5 - 5" long. Because of it's size I didn't use the acclimation box. It would've been pretty tight quarters and since the Richmond's is bigger than any other fish in the tank, I wasn't too worried about it being bullied. Again, it went off without a hitch and everyone is playing well together.

I'd like to add another flasher or two as well as a Golden Rhomboidalis and/or Flame fairy.

 

I really don't have much else to add. You are proceeding in the right manner, it should work as you think and given the situation, but as you say there are no guarantees. Best of luck (and thanks!).

Nice! I finally picked up an Elite Aquatics box at MACNA as well; shame we didn't bump into each other. I'll use Elite's box the same way I've used my current one for a long time, with the lid just above the water line.

 

Just a follow up on the Naoko and Hooded Wrasse question I posted a few weeks back. Everything worked well. Left the hooded in an aclimation box for 3 days and then released with lights our for a day. It was fascinating to watch the behavior between the two in the box and out. Tons of flashing. It was still touch and go for the first day or so out of the box but now they are "pals." There is no doubt in my mind whatsoever that it would not have worked without the acclimation box. Thanks so much.

 

Congrats; glad to hear!