Compatibility quest?

Stocking question,
Do I have to decide between a sixline wrasse and a mandarin?? Or is it possible to have both? I was questioning because im thinking they will compete for pods? or will my system be large enough for the 2?
I'll take any advice! but I'd like to hear from anyone that has both fish


My info
Age of tank: 4 months
Size of tank: 75gal
Sump: 40 gal sump, 20lbs mineral mud + 20 lbs live Fiji Pink</SPAN>, 8 mangroves, ball of cheato
Substrate: 80lbs Caribsea Arag-Alive Bahamas Oolite</SPAN>
Live Rock: 110 lbs
Skimmer: reef octo 150
Temperature: 78-80
Water source: distilled water top off (2 gallons per day)/ reef crystals salt mix
Dosing: B-Ionic 2 part, Mag, Iodine, sea chem reef+
Water change: 20 gal\ once per month
Livestock: 2 bartletts anthias, 1 blue green chromis, 1 royal gramma, 2 skunk skrimps, 1 firefish, 1 spotted cardinal

 

You could probably have a wrasse and a mandarin at some point in your tank. 6-lines can get pretty mean though, I would do some research before adding one. Other wrasses may be better, for the mandarin as well as your other fish. Also, definitely do not add both at once. If you add both, the mandarin should be first and you should probably wait a few months to make sure it is consistently gaining weight, for an extended period of time, before introducing a competitor. Also, 4 months may or may not be quite old enough for the mandarin. The pod population should be really well established. Hard to say, but adding too soon tends not to lead to good results. There are a lot of variables though. Waiting another month or two may not be necessary, but wouldn't hurt.

 

I would say no to the six line with a mandarin in that size tank.IMO Wrasses are very efficient hunters and I wouldn't take the chance.

 

The only problem I would see with adding a mandarin to your tank would be making sure that your pod community is very strong. Mandarin's main source of nutrition comes from pods.

 

thanks guys! i wasn't planning on getting the mandarin for a while still for that same reason

 

I had TONS of pods before adding my 6 line. tons a little flat worms too (the good kind). my sixline did an excellent job of cleaning them all out. he is one of the fattest fish in the tank. I am even hesitant to add one in my 180

 

I have both right now in an 80 gallon tank with a big fuge and an ATS. My tank is also about 2 years old. The mandarin went in way before the wrasse though. They have been together for a couple months now with no problems so far.
Hope this helps.