Have I been had?

My LFS sold me a Christmas Wrass assuring me that it would be compatible with everything in my tank. Well, this morning, I awoke to see my new beautiful Wrasse eating away at my Peppermint shrimp. The shrimp wasn't the biggest shrimp, but he wasn't small either (probably 1 1/2 inches in length). Is this normal for Wrasses to eat shrimp? The Wrasse is probably about 1 1/2 to 2 inches in length himself. I have my cleaner shrimp still in there - don't want him eaten too... Help?

 

The "Christmas" wrasse (Thalassoma trilobatum) is NOT reef safe. Take him back and demand a full refund allong with a replacement shrimp. They were flat out wrong to tell you he would be OK.

Flasher and fairy wrasse won't eat inverts, most other wrasse will. (Flashers are of the genus Paracheilinus, and fairies are Cirrhilabrus.)

Unfortunatly, I have found that most LFS know very little about most of what they sell ... always double check using a good book or searching the web BEFORE you make a purchase.

Sorry for the loss!

 

i have a lined wrasse that will eat my shrimp if i buy them as babies, but once they r about 1-1.5 in he wil leave them alone...but i agree scold them good!

 

Are any wrasses reef safe? I've got the verbal OK from the LFS that I can bring him back for an exchange. I love the look of the wrasse, so thought about maybe another different one. BTW, the LFS guy did say that he's got a Christmas Wrasse and has never had problems with it and thought that with the size of the shrimp and that we were adding the wrasse after the shrimp, they'd be OK. I do believe him that he thought it was OK and wasn't just "making a sale".

 

Sorry, missed that you mentioned the flasher and fairy wrasse as being OK. Maybe look into one of them...
Also, I do try and research the fish before I get them - this one I admit was an impulse buy - won't make that mistake again...

 

The last post brings up a great topic. The " I have one in my tank" expression. Some tanks and livestock get lucky and non- compatables will work together. Just rememebr its an exception not a rule. Size and order of introduction play a role but are not only factors. Food is still food to you inhabitants. I can understand that he want making a sale to you and hope you have a good relationship with him. there are factors that may have worked for him like tank size, food supply and fish personality. hope you have better luck with your next addition

 

Hey everyone! Caught the fish and he back at the LFS. They didn't have a replacement shrimp, but gave me credit for it, so things are straightened out and life is good in the tank again. Thanks for all the input and help!!

 

thats great to hear