Is this Wrasse reef safe????

[Fusd71]

I was told it is a banner wrasse but all the pics I looked up don't look like this guy. Any and all help is appreciated

 

[dizzy]

Fusd71,

I'm not certain which that species is, but I would guess it gets rather large. I have a large red coris which has a similar body style. It doesn't harm corals, but it does keep the sand bed somewhat disturbed. They can also eat shrimp. Pretty fish but defintely not a diminutive species IMO.

MG

 

[Vixyswillie]

Sorry, Fusd - tried to find a pic of this one in Scott Michael's Marine Fishes, but to no avail. Perhaps others can be of help. If this one turns out to be a bust, however, I have a wonderfully personable Bluehead wrasse (Thalassoma bifasciatum) that is reef safe. You might want to consider one of those, instead.

 

[Fusd71]

I have been looking up Wrasse pics for 2 days and can't find anything even similar. The closest was a mystery wrasse but that is way to expensive. I have been keeping a very close eye on it and it hasn't bothered anything yet. I'll keep looking and hopefully someone will have some info........Thanks

 

[LFS42]

I think i found it.
http://www.liveaquaria.com
It's in the Wrasse section, labled as a mystery wrasse.
The claim it's reef safe, only about 5" max size.
You may want to do a bit more research though.

 

[Fusd71]

I found that one as well. I only paid 20.00 for it so I doubt that is what it is but you never know, he did say it was a banner wrasse.

 

[LFS42]

Sometimes, Fish get ordered and a different fish gets sent to the LFS.
Heck, I've seen it more than once. But your right, the price difference is suspect. How big is it?

 

[xKEIGOx]

i try to look at the atlas of marine aquarium fishes but have no luck then i found it at indian ocean tropical fish guide. :>
I think it's Barred Thicklip Wrasse. up to50cm. Hemigymnus fasciatus. the adults one will reverse their barren-pattern. then i went back to the atlas and found it! The adult one are totally deferent. that's why we can't find it.
but in the atlas they put 40cm maximum size and should be keep with rocks only. but he put this for all the wrasse. so wanna test your luck?

 

[LFS42]

Sometimes the pic isn't correct either.
But that was my next guess. Big wrasse that changes like
Anampses Chrysocephalusp.425

 

[Fusd71]

Definately the BARRED THICK LIP WRASSE. UH OH!!!!!!!!
well I'll see what happens. Thanks for all the help. It is about 3" now

 

[dizzy]

The adult one are totally deferent. that's why we can't find it.
but in the atlas they put 40cm maximum size and should be keep with rocks only. but he put this for all the wrasse. so wanna test your luck?

xKEIGO,

How do you interpret should be kept with rocks only. Wrasses like that need a fairly deep sand bed to feel secure. While I believe they may be a detriment to functioning sand bed that is producing denitrification, I do not think that would be the logic of the author you mentioned, since it was not a book on reef keeping. Not all wrasses go under the sand at night either.

MG

 

[Ryan22]

Hey Fusd71,

Where did you get it? where are you in CT? There are quite a few stores around my area that will sell you something that will outgrow, or reap havock on your tank without blinking an eye.

 

[xKEIGOx]

oh~ emm.. i think the author mean best to be keep away from corals.
oh and i think doesn't mean no sand bed. hehehehehe...
well... hahahaha!! the wrasse grow 2ft long! maybe a jr. wrasse are safe.

 

[Fusd71]

Ryan,
It is in Milford, CT. This was the first and last time I go there.


This is a pic of the wrasse that I found.

 

[imow]

Which store....Im really close to there.

 

[caecosystems]

Those are great fish....for a FO. Sometimes inexperienced fish store employees are embaressed that they dont know and will tell you anything. Always consult a Scott Michaels book if you are clueless before a purchase. Carry that book with you like a yellow tang carries protazoans. :wink:

 

[Garry thomas]

it looks to me like a cross.....the nearest i can find which is identical
is a rainbow wrasse HALICHOERES IRIDIS range..red sea, s. africa, to chagos and maurit

GT s wales

 

[Fusd71]

It took a while but the last pic is of one that was found on the web. It is identical to mine. "Barred Thick Lip Wrasse" So far no problems what so ever. Looks really good in my tank and has actually calmed my yellow tang down.

 

[JeremyR]

<<If this one turns out to be a bust, however, I have a wonderfully personable Bluehead wrasse (Thalassoma bifasciatum) that is reef safe. You might want to consider one of those, instead.>>

Wow.. coral safe maybe.. but hell on shrimp/crabs/snails/tankmates. I can't think of any thallasoma that makes a good reef resident, and this is one of the worst. Yours must be an oddball heh.

 

[Fusd71]

So far, so good. I have two cleaner shrimp, one coral banded shrimp, three emerald crabs, one porcelain crab, and a tone of scarlet crabs and snails. All the wrasse does is pick the algae off the rocks and eat what I feed, SO FAR!!!!. I will continue to keep a close eye on it. One of my cleaners molted and he didn't touch the molt.
I have very active cleaner shrimp and they jump on every fish that swims by. I am just waiting for one to jump on the wrasse and see what happens. Like I said, So far, So good. I only paid 20.00 for it and if I have to give it away, no big deal. My buddy has a 135 FO