Choosing A Wrasse

[BigEZ77]

Hi All,

There are a few male wrasses that I really like and am looking at getting one eventually...here's the most wanted...

-Hoeven's Wrasse
-Christmas Wrasse
-Red Lined Wrasse

Here are my questions...

-Are any easier to keep, feed or more hardy than others?
-Are any less likely to jump than others?
-Are any less likely to eat shrimp, snails, crabs than others?

Also looking at the Green Wrasse but LA says they need 75G and get up to 8 inches long...Is that true? I thought they were in line with the yellow wrasse.

Thanks,

[vcam]

I hope you have a fine sand bed !!

[almiller9]

Most if not all wrasses are jumpers. Make sure you have a top on your tank. Most that are considered reef safe should not bother your inverts

[Jp_esp]

Originally Posted by almiller9

Most if not all wrasses are jumpers. Make sure you have a top on your tank. Most that are considered reef safe should not bother your inverts

+1 Every time I feed they go crazy and try to jump! I have two wrasses and they both do it

[almiller9]

What Jp said. When I feed I can see hear them jumping at the top of the tank.

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[gone fishin]

Originally Posted by BigEZ77

Hi All,

There are a few male wrasses that I really like and am looking at getting one eventually...here's the most wanted...

-Hoeven's Wrasse May eat shrimp
-Christmas Wrasse Reasearch this there are many wrasse sold under the christmas wrasse name H. claudia being the most peaceful
-Red Lined WrasseMay eat shrimp

Here are my questions...

-Are any easier to keep, feed or more hardy than others?
-Are any less likely to jump than others?
-Are any less likely to eat shrimp, snails, crabs than others?

Also looking at the Green Wrasse but LA says they need 75G and get up to 8 inches long...Is that true? I thought they were in line with the yellow wrasse.

Thanks,

A good rule of thumb is to assume all fish will jump if given the right circumstances. good luck just my 2 cents.

[dana_ag]

I've got a 6 line wrasse and it usually just weaves in and out of the rocks. Never had an issue with it jumping ever. I don't suggest putting more than 1 in a tank. There's a 50% or so chance it'll eat any flatworms you may have. It's a common hardy fish.

[roostertech]

Is 1-2mm sand ok for burrowing wrasse? I'm thinking about using Caribsea Pink Flamingo

[mradonis]

I have a Hoeven's Wrasse and is going strong for 4 years now. Its funny it doesn't jump or burrow in the sand.

[Tautoga]

Originally Posted by roostertech

Is 1-2mm sand ok for burrowing wrasse? I'm thinking about using Caribsea Pink Flamingo

No. They need at least 1-2 inches of sand.

If you want a bare bottom tank, you wont be able to keep a wrasse that sleeps in the sand at night. Some people keep a bowl of sand in the tank for a wrasse. It needs to be big enough for them to lay in it and deep enough so they can cover themselves.

I have a melanurus wrasse. He dives into the sand every night so fast that I wonder how he's not hitting his face on the bottom glass.

[roostertech]

Originally Posted by Tautoga

No. They need at least 1-2 inches of sand.

If you want a bare bottom tank, you wont be able to keep a wrasse that sleeps in the sand at night. Some people keep a bowl of sand in the tank for a wrasse. It needs to be big enough for them to lay in it and deep enough so they can cover themselves.

I have a melanurus wrasse. He dives into the sand every night so fast that I wonder how he's not hitting his face on the bottom glass.

I meant the size of sand grain 1-2mm, vs really fine sand .5mm.

[JettStorm]

Melanurus wrasse or Mystery-I have both (different tanks) and are very mellow and great tank mates.

[Tautoga]

Originally Posted by roostertech

I meant the size of sand grain 1-2mm, vs really fine sand .5mm.

Lol yes that size sand is fine. Better than the fine imo.

[Tautoga]

Originally Posted by JettStorm

Melanurus wrasse or Mystery-I have both (different tanks) and are very mellow and great tank mates.

Yes mine is pretty well behaved. He gets a little annoyed at my tomato clown following him around trying to steal the food pellets he picks up. I also have 2 scarlet cleaner shrimp and he's never even looked at them.

[Sapelo]

There are lots of nice wrasses out there. I dont personally have experience with the ones you've listed but would agree that you should research them carefully.
Also, I would stay away from a six-line, they are known to be really nasty after a time and horrible to try to catch.

[JohnnyHildo]

Originally Posted by dana_ag

I've got a 6 line wrasse and it usually just weaves in and out of the rocks. Never had an issue with it jumping ever. I don't suggest putting more than 1 in a tank. There's a 50% or so chance it'll eat any flatworms you may have. It's a common hardy fish.

some other varieties of wrasse can be kept together but all i've ever read about 6 line's agrees with you. if they weren't such a roll of the dice on what temperament each fish was going to come with i would have bought one as they look great.

[Reef908]

I currently have a Melanurus, and previously I had a 5 inch Adorned, and both were fine in my bare bottom. I think it could work as long as there are lots of hiding spots. Probably not ideal, but they did not seem to mind and I closely monitored to see if the Melanurus was acting stressed when I first added to my tank. Actually, the Melanurus still does not bury in the sand now that I have added it to the display which did surprise me. Good luck!

[BigEZ77]

Thanks All. I have 2" of fine sand in most places, as little as 1" in some random spots. I am not considering any other wrasses than the ones listed, including the 6 line...Agreed Johnny, if they weren't a roll of the dice I would have one for sure.

I have decided that I want a peaceful tank, as such, it should reduce any need to jump...hopefully. Reef908, Tautoga, JettStorm how large are your fish? Any jumping?

mradonis...Any issue with yours acting aggressive towards inverts?

[Reef908]

Melanurus is about 3.5 inches now and no issues. The Adorned was about 5 plus or so but seemed bigger (like the size of a cigar) and also did not jump. I did have a flasher jump before. I always now have a screen on my tank due to that experience. For me, both of these wrasses have been peaceful, personable and left my inverts alone. The Adorned actually has been my favorite fish I have kept and I was really upset when I lost it.

[BigEZ77]

Thanks, the Adorned is now on the list. Not sure why I haven't seen that one before.

[kmbyrnes]

Originally Posted by Tautoga

I have a melanurus wrasse. He dives into the sand every night so fast that I wonder how he's not hitting his face on the bottom glass.

Unfortunately, mine did just that and broke her jaw. Very sad loss.
They are great fish. I would get another in a heartbeat. Just not right for any of my tanks at the moment.

[Reef908]

Good luck finding an adorned! I only went with a melanurus due to not finding another adorned. If you find somewhere that has a few, please send me a pm with the info! I can't find them anywhere....

[flooddc]

I had red lined wrasse in my previous 45 cube. Pretty peacefully fish and actively searching for food. Like most wrasses, they are jumper. Just to be on a safe side, a lid is a must for any wrasses.
I don't know why people don't like six-line. I have a mating pair in my tank and love them. They are colorful and does their own thing. Constantly swim around for food and interesting to watch.

[BigEZ77]

Originally Posted by Reef908

Good luck finding an adorned! I only went with a melanurus due to not finding another adorned. If you find somewhere that has a few, please send me a pm with the info! I can't find them anywhere....

I have done some searches and doubt I'm going to find one. They seem to be very rare...along with the red line.