Fish ID/advice?

[Gaia]

In the fish shop I noticed a black and blue striped fish, and the label above the tank read 'blue-striped rabbit'. It was beautiful, but rather expensive, so I went back for it another day to find it had been sold. They said they could order one in.

I was called in to collect the fish, but when I got there they said the breeders had sent the wrong fish, and had delivered a blue spot rabbit instead, which was mostly yellow and white and looked nothing like the one I had seen. They tell me they have asked for blue stripes which will arrive saturday which I guess is fine...

However, I've googled blue-striped rabbit like I do with every fish before I buy one, and cannot find a trace of it, so am a little concerned. I'm wondering if they have made a mistake, and the fish I saw was something else, but if so, any ideas on what it could be?

Also a little concerned as when I looked up blue spot rabbit the site I found reccommned a minimum 100 gallon tank, and mine is 39.5 gallon! I had told the shop I was a little concerned about how big the fish would grow, but was told it fine because its a peaceful fish, and as long as I do weekly water changes everything will be fine. Do you guys agree?

Below is the link to my current set-up if that helps: http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=91993

 

[Anonymous]

I believe you're asking about Siganus puellus, while they are peaceful and reef safe they'll grow to about 15" in the ocean. Even at half that size much too large for a 39.5 gal tank.
btw Trying to ID fish by common names is not the way to go about it.

Regards,
David Mohr

 

[Anonymous]

Also a little concerned as when I looked up blue spot rabbit the site I found reccommned a minimum 100 gallon tank, and mine is 39.5 gallon! I had told the shop I was a little concerned about how big the fish would grow, but was told it fine because its a peaceful fish, and as long as I do weekly water changes everything will be fine. Do you guys agree?

Below is the link to my current set-up if that helps: http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=91993

Brava! Keep on asking questions and doing research. Not just "no" but HECK NO I don't agree with that advice. That fish isn't suitable for anything smaller than a 100 gallon due to it's adult size. The sheer waste it produces would make keeping water quality a problem, and the idea of keeping any fish that large in a small space is IMO irresponsible.

 

[Gaia]

Thanks for the advice, I'll steer clear in that case. I agree that searching by the common name isn't a great idea, but its all I have to go on, as thats all my fish shop have!

Looking at the pictures of Siganus Puellus, its a definite no, which makes me even more suspicious that the fish they had originally was not a rabbitfish at all. I'll be intrigued to see what they have to show me on Saturday, as I'll still go to take a look out of interest, but it was made clear I have no obligation to buy, as they can sell them anyway.

The fish I saw had very clear bands of black and deep blue - was quite striking, but with not even a name to go on now, I may end up giving up on that one, unless the fish shop suddenly remember having something else in there!

 

[Gaia]

Okay, I turned down the rabbitfih, thanks for the advice.

However, the fishshop have worked out they had a 'red sea wrasse' in that tank originally, which must have been what I saw. After a bit of googling I've found my fish - its a fourline wrasse, larbicus quadrilineatus.

Its a beautiful fish, but I'm wondering if its one I'll be able to keep, as after looking it up I'm getting conflicting information again, and I was wondering if anyone had any experience with these? My marine aquarium book says its a dwarf wrasse, only growing up to 4 inches, so fine for my tank size, and is also peaceful, and reef/invert friendly, which obviously sounds ideal.

However, some of the sites I've been on say as adults these fish feed mainly on coral polyps. Doesn't sound very reef safe! Not sure which to believe now - if they just have the odd nibble, so long as they are kept well-fed, I can live with that...

Anyone know more?

 

[Anonymous]

Larabicus quadrillineatus is not what is commonly known a a fourline wrasse and is actually a cleaner wrasse. Juveniles feed on parasitic crustaceans and adults feed on polyps of stony corals.
What is commonly known as a fourline wrasse is Pseudochellinus tetrataenia.
btw All wrasses are notorious carpet surfers and a closed top is a must.

Regards,
David Mohr

 

[Gaia]

Thanks... This is why I find it so confusing, as several sites have it listed as fourline wrasse!

Do cleaner wrasses feed exclusively on parasites, as if so I presume that means its only suitable for very large tanks with lots of fish - I have 2 clownfish, 2 green chromis, a firefish and lemon watchman goby. Unless the wrasse would be content on the food I feed the others, I guess its not something I'd be able to have?

Also, not sure what a stony polyp is, but in the absence of these, will they eat my leather corals/star polyps? I don't have any hard corals because my lighting isn't sufficient. Again, does a lack of stony corals mean I wouldn't be able to keep one?

Its looking like this fish is another to cross off the list, which is a shame, as all the blue fish seem to be a no-no for my tank, and yet are so attractive!