All About Reef Safe Wrasses

Hi - been reading your thread of wrasses and would like some advice on compatibility. I am looking at buying a Red-head wrasse, Halichoeres rubricephalus and a Dusky Wrasse Halichoeres annularis and adding at the same time to my 60x36x24 tank predominantly SPS tank. I am hoping these guys in conjunction with my current wrasses will keep my monti nudi outbreak under control.

I currently have a male leopard (Macropharyngodon bipartitus) wrasse (4") a tiny female (Macropharyngodon bipartitus) leopard (1") and a Blue Striped Tamarin wrasse (5"). The male leopard has been in the longest (1 year) my tamarin about 4 months and the juv leopard around 3 months.

Finally what would your suggestion be for a cover material as I need good light transmission for SPS. Seems I have been lucky so far.

 

BRS screen netting it the best stuff you can get. I but the aluminium frame and corners with spline at a Lowes since it is far cheaper though. No lost par and it give your wrasse a soft top to bounce off of.

 

You should be fine with those three additions from a compatibility standpoint.

And +1 on the 1/4" clear mesh (can order from BRS). As mentioned, you can get the screen framing materials from your local home improvement store, and BRS even has instructional video's to help walk you through the process if building a window screen is an advanced DIY project for you.

 

Thanks for the info guys. I am from the UK so we don't have bug screens, too cold but it seems someone has brought the idea over. http://www.simplyaquaria.co.uk/diy-tank-cover.html There is a video of how to cut to size
I am guessing this is what you mean as they also use "spline" to secure it.

Finally I was planning to drop these wrasses in together. My idea is that with three new tank mates at the same time one wont be picked on. I notice you suggest adding them in an internal tank fish box one at a time to make sure no aggression from existing tank mates. What do you think about dropping in at the same time as I don't have a fish box. The nearest thing I can find is this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Trixie-8052-Net-Fish-Hatchery/dp/B000WFE8EC/ref=pd_cp_petsupplies_0

I have a fairly boisterous tank with two tangs but they didn't bother the other wrasses once they have shown they are the bosses after 5 minutes or so. I forgot I am also adding a canary wrasse at the same time as the red head and dusky. Getting to be an addiction these wrasses. Still OK? Tank shot below although corals have grown somewhat since then

 

The Bulk Reef Supply net is great. It's clear like fishing line so it doesn't effect lighting much at all. The link you sent appears to refer to window screen which isn't clear. I don't know that I'd recommend it because it typically is darker. You might be able to find bird netting that would work though.

 

Thanks. I have a guy going to the US next week. I will get a roll.

 

Maybe I'm looking at the photos in the link wrong, but that netting I see there is exactly what BRS sells. It's clear and the holes look to be about 1/4".
And yes, the roll of the black "cord" in the center photo is the spline.

As for using a breeder box or the like upon introduction, that's still something I'd recommend to play it safe. Yes, you probably could add them all at once and you'd be alright, but there's still a risk one of the new additions might be targeted for whatever reason. You'll have to decide how much risk you're willing to take; the odds are likely in your favor everything would work out okay without one, FWIW.

 

thanks for that. Yes looking at it now it seems the mesh is clear on the kit. Will wait until it arrives before getting my fish net mule to bring some back from the US

So you think it will only be the new additions that would be targeted not the existing? I think in that case the risk is low. My main concern was my Tamarin (which cost quite a bit) could be chased. My fish shop reckons if there is any problem it will be the dusky on the red head. Certainly the dusky is into everything in the shop and the red head hides quite a bit. I still haven't found a suitable box yet so my options are limited. If I could find one I would use it.

 

Correct; it's not likely any new additions would take instant issue with those existing. It's possible there could be some posturing between two new additions, but it wouldn't much worry about that if they're added at the same time.

 

screen in place - it was clear mesh - looks good. Upped my lights by a 2 percent to compensate.