Fairy wrasses?

[Anonymous]

I'm thinking of getting either the bluehead fairy wrasse or the yellowhead fairy wrasse. The newcomer will be in my tank w/ a purple tang (not terribly aggressive as far as this species goes), a tomato clown, and a blue damsel.

That's a pretty tough community. Any advice?

Thanks.

 

[Len]

Hey Moe,
I'm most worried about the Tomato Clown - bastard devil clowns. My clown will occassionally nip my fairy wrasses if they come too close to her anemone, but rarely any harm is caused. What you should be most concerned about is a startled wrasse suddenly darting out of the water (happens ALL the time). Make sure your canopy is sealed to prevent carpet surfing. How large is your tank again? If it's sizable (mine is 120gallons, 4' long), I say you'll be just fine.

I'm going nuts with posts today

 

[Anonymous]

My tank is just a 55.

My first choice for reef-safe wrasse was actually the Carpenters. But I thought it would be bullied into hiding, and thus starving.

What do you think?

And thanks for your advice so far. I was hoping you'd catch this thread seeing as how you wrote the awesome response to the wrasse question in the FAQ.

 

[Anonymous]

What about a Scott's? The males get big, and I don't see how it could be bullied THAT much.

What do you think, Len?

Peace,

Chip

 

[Len]

I wouldn't recommend Flashers; too delicate a genus for aggressive tankmates. Fairy Wrasses can hold their own, but Flashers (except for a few larger species like P.octanenia) can't.

A fairy wrasse with the clown in a 55 gallon is a marginal risk. The probability that the clown will infrequently display aggression twoards the wrasse (if only for a very short distance) is high. More often then not, no real damage is done and the two will learn to coexist at opposite sides of the tank. But you should have the canopy covered in the event of the wrasse jumping from being startled. Clowns are just really mean buggers ..... Tomatos (A.frenatus) being one of the meanest.

The blue headed fairy wrasse (C.cyanopleura) is a relatively small and docile species; it might not be your best bet. Im' not sure what a yellow headed fairy wrasse is , but I'm guessing it's probably a varient of C.cyanopleura too (they come in all shades and are sometimes confused as distinct species). Chip's suggestion is a good one: C.scottorums are bigger and more assertive and I doubt one will let a Clown bully it. It's on the large side for a 55 gallon, but it's a safer bet against aggressive tankmates.

 

[danmhippo]

I too find scott's to be a bit too delicate for most tanks.

 

[Anonymous]

Sorry, Len - I mistyped.
Not yellowheaded fairy wrase, but rather...
the Yellowstreaked fairy wrasse (C. luteovittatus).
they're on page 286 of Scott Michael's pocket guide.

 

[Anonymous]

I am sorry to bust the party, but I have a related question.

I am planning on having the following:

3 Carpenter Flasher wrasses
2 PJ Cardinals
1 Fire Goby
1 Crowned Pearlyscale Butterflyfish
1 Longnose Hawkfish
1 Flame Angelfish

Mine is also a 55, After seeing Len's comment about Flashers being delicate I am wondering if my mix is alright. They will be added in that order.

Thanks for any input and sorry for bardging in on your thread Moe

Bryan

 

[Anonymous]

Is that a reef tank or a fish only tank? 8O

 

[Anonymous]

Fish, Lots of live rock, and DSB with Live rock in the sump also. Plus, anything that comes in on Live rock is welcome to stay and flourish.

I am thinking of cutting out the Angel as I have heard that they are a little mean sometimes. I really want a peaceful tank.

Bryan

 

[Len]

Moe,
C.luteovittatus is a great fish. One of the larger species, not as assertive as a male scott's, but not a wimp either. It's a better choice then the blue headed fairy for your tank.

Byran,
Your stocking list sounds fine for a FOWLR. Nothing listed should bother the flashers or overpower them for food. That's a good stocking order, btw. I'd get rid of one fish to lighten the stock (probably the angel or the butterfly). The Chaetodon xanthurus will decimate your benthic microfauna population, so take that into consideration.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Len,

I think the Angel will get deleted.

The Wife is set on having at least one BIG fish in our tank, and it took me forever to convince her that we can go no bigger than the Chaetodon xanthurus.

Now I am going to go look up Benthic Microfauna

Bryan