Longfin Fairy Wrass / Royal Gramma / Yellowtail Damsel

brett559 · 10/15/2014, 10:58 AM

Hi all,

Looking to add a few small fish to my 90g tank. I'd like to ask about the three I'm considering.

I've heard good things are wrasses. My research says the Longfin Fairy Wrasses are good (reef-safe, not too aggressive, good eaters). I'm aware that wrasses jump, although some have said this particular wrasse may be less prone to jump. I love their red coloring. Any experience with this fish?

I've also thought about a Royal Gramma basslet. Love their coloring and liveaquaria says they are peaceful and easy to keep. I've heard they can be aggressive, but I only plan on getting one. Any chance they could bother my other fish (two true perc clowns, foxface, tangs, coral beauty)? Would the royal gramma and fairy wrasse get along?

Yellowtail damsel. I've heard many horror stories about these little guys getting very aggressive. I love their blue coloring, but I'm leery of getting one. They are inexpensive and hardy (I'm told), but the aggression is a concern. How would a damsel get along with the wrasse and royal gramma mentioned above?

Your thoughts?

Thanks!

toothybugs · 10/15/2014, 12:01 PM

You should be okay with the top two.

Damsels, well, they're a-holes. Group consensus here is that we all pretty much hate 'em

albano · 10/15/2014, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brett559

I've heard good things are wrasses. My research says the Longfin Fairy Wrasses are good (reef-safe, not too aggressive, good eaters). I'm aware that wrasses jump, although some have said this particular wrasse may be less prone to jump.

This statement sounds like you have no intention to cover your tank...IMO, almost every fish has the potential to jump... Tanks should be covered.

Wryknow · 10/15/2014, 12:20 PM

Tank covers are not optional with wrasses of any species IMPE. They love to carpet surf. Ditto on the damsel as well - they do not play well with others.

MisterP · 10/15/2014, 12:22 PM

One of my clown fish that I've had for 2 years jumped out and hit the floor one night while we were watching TV, luckily we were home.

Any fish can and likely will at some point jump out. Cover your tank.

coralsnaked · 10/15/2014, 12:27 PM

or a 12" fence

brett559 · 10/15/2014, 12:32 PM

My tank is taller than most tanks - it's more of a square box than a long rectangle. Would a taller tank result in less jumping?

albano · 10/15/2014, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brett559

Would a taller tank result in less jumping?

No...

Coelli · 10/15/2014, 12:57 PM

I have a young royal gramma and really like it. It was kind of being an a-hole to the firefish I just put in last night, but they've mostly sorted it out this morning. It's a gorgeous little fish too. I hear they can be shy, but mine is not shy in the slightest. He doesn't hide when I put my hands in the tank, will try to get at the food in the spot feeding tube, and doesn't freak out at people walking by the tank at all.

Then again I only buy my fish locally and try to see how skittish they are before bringing them home.

My supposedly shy firefish only went into the rocks last night to sleep but has otherwise been out the whole time and mostly ignores the gramma's posturing.

shesacharmer · 10/15/2014, 01:00 PM

Damsels are jerks plain and simple. I have 1/4" mesh on my QT and my baby Blue Gudgeon managed to find a way out...I didn't find it in time. Fish jump. My Royal Gramma is a model citizen. Defends his tiny little hole in the rocks and bothers no one including my wrasses, cardinals, and one spot.

brett559 · 10/15/2014, 02:25 PM

Does the gramma mostly hide? My hope is that he'll be out and about swimming around.

Coelli · 10/15/2014, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brett559

Does the gramma mostly hide? My hope is that he'll be out and about swimming around.

Nope, mine doesn't hide at all. He sticks close to the rocks, but most of the time he's out about. It took him almost no time to adjust to the tank.

shesacharmer · 10/15/2014, 07:23 PM

My Gramma does not mostly hide and is very attractive. He is holed up maybe 1/3rd of the time. The rest of the time he is quite friendly and when he isn't all he does is open his mouth wide as though shouting LEAVE ME ALONE!!!

JoelA7 · 10/16/2014, 12:08 AM

If you want a spark of color consider 1 Chromis instead of the damsel. Mid and open water fish so other fish are more likely to be out and less aggressive than damsels.

Nina51 · 10/16/2014, 05:05 AM

i think royal grammas are often overlooked because they are so common but to me, they are one of the most beautiful saltwater fish. i have one in my 75g tank and he is always out. he has a very small territory that he guards fiercely but like shesacharmer says, he just opens his mouth wide and hollers GET OFF MY LAWN. he's all bluff, i've never actually seen him chase another fish.

i also have a red velvet fairy wrasse. he's very pretty and very social.

damsels are just jerks and while we're at it, stay far far away from any dottyback!

10/15/2014, 10:58 AM	#1
brett559 In Memoriam Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Visalia, CA Posts: 1,790	Longfin Fairy Wrass / Royal Gramma / Yellowtail Damsel Hi all, Looking to add a few small fish to my 90g tank. I'd like to ask about the three I'm considering. I've heard good things are wrasses. My research says the Longfin Fairy Wrasses are good (reef-safe, not too aggressive, good eaters). I'm aware that wrasses jump, although some have said this particular wrasse may be less prone to jump. I love their red coloring. Any experience with this fish? I've also thought about a Royal Gramma basslet. Love their coloring and liveaquaria says they are peaceful and easy to keep. I've heard they can be aggressive, but I only plan on getting one. Any chance they could bother my other fish (two true perc clowns, foxface, tangs, coral beauty)? Would the royal gramma and fairy wrasse get along? Yellowtail damsel. I've heard many horror stories about these little guys getting very aggressive. I love their blue coloring, but I'm leery of getting one. They are inexpensive and hardy (I'm told), but the aggression is a concern. How would a damsel get along with the wrasse and royal gramma mentioned above? Your thoughts? Thanks!

10/15/2014, 12:20 PM	#4
Wryknow Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 1,203	Tank covers are not optional with wrasses of any species IMPE. They love to carpet surf. Ditto on the damsel as well - they do not play well with others. __________________ You cannot use reason to change the opinion of a person that did not use reason to form their opinion in the first place. Current Tank Info: 65 G RR, w/ 50 G sump/refugium, DIY LED lighting, AquaMaxx CO-1 skimmer, Tunze 1073.050 return

10/15/2014, 12:27 PM	#6
coralsnaked Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Austin / Port Aransas, TX Posts: 1,479	or a 12" fence __________________ Merry Skerry Current Tank Info: 1 G Nano jellyfish to 1200 G Bull Nose FOWLR featuring large Holacanthus and Pomacanthus

10/15/2014, 01:00 PM	#10
shesacharmer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Central NH Posts: 1,241	Damsels are jerks plain and simple. I have 1/4" mesh on my QT and my baby Blue Gudgeon managed to find a way out...I didn't find it in time. Fish jump. My Royal Gramma is a model citizen. Defends his tiny little hole in the rocks and bothers no one including my wrasses, cardinals, and one spot. __________________ 75 gal, LR w/refugium, 79 deg, PH 8.0, sg 1.025, amm 0/nit 0/nit 0, Calcium 420, dKH 8.3, mag 1300, Phos 0 Current Tank Info: A work in progress...

10/15/2014, 07:23 PM	#13
shesacharmer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Central NH Posts: 1,241	My Gramma does not mostly hide and is very attractive. He is holed up maybe 1/3rd of the time. The rest of the time he is quite friendly and when he isn't all he does is open his mouth wide as though shouting LEAVE ME ALONE!!! __________________ 75 gal, LR w/refugium, 79 deg, PH 8.0, sg 1.025, amm 0/nit 0/nit 0, Calcium 420, dKH 8.3, mag 1300, Phos 0 Current Tank Info: A work in progress...

10/15/2014, 12:01 PM	#2
toothybugs In Memoriam Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: The smallest county in Illinois Posts: 1,986	You should be okay with the top two. Damsels, well, they're a-holes. Group consensus here is that we all pretty much hate 'em

10/15/2014, 12:22 PM	#5
MisterP Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: TN Posts: 401	One of my clown fish that I've had for 2 years jumped out and hit the floor one night while we were watching TV, luckily we were home. Any fish can and likely will at some point jump out. Cover your tank.

10/15/2014, 12:32 PM	#7
brett559 In Memoriam Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Visalia, CA Posts: 1,790	My tank is taller than most tanks - it's more of a square box than a long rectangle. Would a taller tank result in less jumping?

10/15/2014, 12:57 PM	#9
Coelli Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Tujunga, CA Posts: 1,443	I have a young royal gramma and really like it. It was kind of being an a-hole to the firefish I just put in last night, but they've mostly sorted it out this morning. It's a gorgeous little fish too. I hear they can be shy, but mine is not shy in the slightest. He doesn't hide when I put my hands in the tank, will try to get at the food in the spot feeding tube, and doesn't freak out at people walking by the tank at all. Then again I only buy my fish locally and try to see how skittish they are before bringing them home. My supposedly shy firefish only went into the rocks last night to sleep but has otherwise been out the whole time and mostly ignores the gramma's posturing.

10/15/2014, 02:25 PM	#11
brett559 In Memoriam Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Visalia, CA Posts: 1,790	Does the gramma mostly hide? My hope is that he'll be out and about swimming around.

10/16/2014, 12:08 AM	#14
JoelA7 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Brookline, MA Posts: 1,056	If you want a spark of color consider 1 Chromis instead of the damsel. Mid and open water fish so other fish are more likely to be out and less aggressive than damsels. __________________ New 48x24x26.25 w Precision Marine R30 sump, Vertex Omega 150 skimmer, 2@Vertex 1.5L reactors for carbon & phosban, GEO Ca reactor w Aquarium Plants regulator. 2 MP40's 2@Radions. #120 live rock & #12

10/16/2014, 05:05 AM	#15
Nina51 biggliest cofveve champ Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: 5th floor, Illinois, gewgaw expert Posts: 3,506	i think royal grammas are often overlooked because they are so common but to me, they are one of the most beautiful saltwater fish. i have one in my 75g tank and he is always out. he has a very small territory that he guards fiercely but like shesacharmer says, he just opens his mouth wide and hollers GET OFF MY LAWN. he's all bluff, i've never actually seen him chase another fish. i also have a red velvet fairy wrasse. he's very pretty and very social. damsels are just jerks and while we're at it, stay far far away from any dottyback! __________________ of all the things i've lost, i miss my gary the most. Never hold your farts in. They travel up your spine into your brain, and that is where crappy ideas come from. Current Tank Info: i gave my reef away and i feel like a bird out of a cage!!