The Wrasse Lover's Thread!

[tbrown]

I can't get a picture but question: my transitioning leucoxanthus has nice colors in his face and cheeks - greens, pinks, and reds - but on top of his head he has a diamond shape that's checkerboard patterned. Anyone ever see something similar before?

 

[Tcook]

I can't get a picture but question: my transitioning leucoxanthus has nice colors in his face and cheeks - greens, pinks, and reds - but on top of his head he has a diamond shape that's checkerboard patterned. Anyone ever see something similar before?

Haven’t seen it in mine but she is young

 

[i cant think]

Hello all
My Macropharyngodon meleagris leopard wrasse has recently started going through some changes. He’s got these amazing colors now. Bright pinks, teal, and yellows. He’s also getting very large he’s been about the same size for over 2years but now he’s every bit of 4”+. Not much of a photographer but I can’t find any that look similar on line so I had to share.

That’s a transitioning female, always look gorgeous, her colour will go like photos of the males you see.
I love the transition phase as that’s when you get to see the true colour differences and the full array of colours that species has.

 

[i cant think]

Who thinks I don’t have enough tanks? I do!
Wrasse Observation is being setup tomorrow.
Then once it’s done with wrasses I’ll probably make it home to a pair or trio of blue stripe pipefish

 

[TheLegendaryBarlowe072]

I dont wanna take over this thread with the convo, but since there are so many wrase lovers hanging out in one spot, Id like to ask what are the best options of wrase for a 50 gallon peaceful reef safe tank? Ive considered Carpenter’s, McCosker’s, or Royal, but if theres anything out there thats more stunning I wanna know. Ive never kept a wrase but id love too

PM me if you have the best response

 

[tbrown]

Ok @Tcook and @i cant think ... This is the best I could get. He really doesn't like having his picture taken.

It's really hard to see but he has this interesting "checkerboard" diamond on his forehead.

 

[JoJosReef]

I dont wanna take over this thread with the convo, but since there are so many wrase lovers hanging out in one spot, Id like to ask what are the best options of wrase for a 50 gallon peaceful reef safe tank? Ive considered Carpenter’s, McCosker’s, or Royal, but if theres anything out there thats more stunning I wanna know. Ive never kept a wrase but id love too

PM me if you have the best response

No need to PM. We love talking wrasse stocking.

For me in a 50 (dimensions?), I would add the following:

1. Blue star leopard wrasse (Macropharyngodon bipartitis) OR leopard wrasse (Macropharyngodon meleagris) oR Ornate leopard wrasse (Macropharyngodon ornatus)--all very peaceful

2. Radiant wrasse (Halichoeres iridis)--should be peaceful in that tank

3. 2x pink streak wrasses (Pseudocheilinops ataenia)--very peaceful

4. Pintail fairy wrasse (Cirrhilabrus isosceles)

5. Lubbock fairy wrasse (Cirrhilabrus lubbocki) OR Exquisite fairy wrasse (Cirrhilabrus exquisitus)--more assertive, but potentially just keeping everyone in check

Depending on the dimensions, I would probably skip the flasher wrasses as they are zoomier and do better in longer tanks. If you are really feeling adventurous, I'd add a pencil wrasse, e.g., Royal pencil wrasse (Pseudojuloides severnsi).

 

[TARHEEL78]

I picked this guy up recently and added him to the tank today. Disregard my dirty acclimation box. Lol

 

[leighton.bingham]

Just picked up a Six Line today. No pictures yet cause the little guy was hiding but ill get some up tomorrow. They dont jump to they?

 

[Reef Plop]

Just picked up a Six Line today. No pictures yet cause the little guy was hiding but ill get some up tomorrow. They dont jump to they?

They do, wrasses are jumpers I would definitely get a lid!

 

[leighton.bingham]

They do, wrasses are jumpers I would definitely get a lid!

Thank you! Ill go to Home Depot and make one tomorrow. With screen till i can order one.

 

[Tcook]

Ok @Tcook and @i cant think ... This is the best I could get. He really doesn't like having his picture taken.

It's really hard to see but he has this interesting "checkerboard" diamond on his forehead.

I swear I can see something subtle starting on mine

 

[Reef Plop]

Here’s my yellow banded possum wrasse! Love this little guy.

 

[TARHEEL78]

I'm running out of room in my tank now, only have space for maybe 5-10 more wrasse. Lol

 

[tbrown]

I swear I can see something subtle starting on mine

The cheeks start getting some color and the belly starts getting less white.

 

[Tcook]

The cheeks start getting some color and the belly starts getting less white.

I mean on the top of the head just behind the eyes.

 

[tbrown]

I mean on the top of the head just behind the eyes.

Yep, same place as mine! It's kinda odd, right?

 

[Cael Gallery]

Straight away I’d forget the Anampses lennardi and Pseudojuloides, they will be outcompeted in that tank. Also, Lennardi requires cooler temperatures (75°F maximum long term).

Other than that, I agree with what Slocke has said

I've been thinking about this. I did actually buy a lennardi on my trip to WA from (i believe) the main suppliers of the species (guess how much a 10cm lennardi costs here )
Why do you say they need cooler temperatures? Every fish i've heard that about has either been a deep water or subtropical/temperate species. A.lennardi are neither. They're found in a completely tropical part of WA, and are shallow water (google says 0-24metres). They really don't seem to fit the bill for 'cooler water'. And on top of that, i haven't heard that before from any supplier in Australia where they are quite commonly kept. I did decide to forgo the bird wrasse on my tank.

 

[i cant think]

I've been thinking about this. I did actually buy a lennardi on my trip to WA from (i believe) the main suppliers of the species (guess how much a 10cm lennardi costs here )
Why do you say they need cooler temperatures? Every fish i've heard that about has either been a deep water or subtropical/temperate species. A.lennardi are neither. They're found in a completely tropical part of WA, and are shallow water (google says 0-24metres). They really don't seem to fit the bill for 'cooler water'. And on top of that, i haven't heard that before from any supplier in Australia where they are quite commonly kept. I did decide to forgo the bird wrasse on my tank.

It’s a fairly well known thing that lennardi and femininus do best in cooler water, it’s the main reason why main people can’t keep them longterm.
Most reefs are kept at the 79°F region from what I’ve seen, these guys may be tropical but they aren’t 79°F level IME.

 

[jkcoral]

I’m a sucker for the expressive little eyes on these fish. Rhomboid knows if it protests the food I give and stares at me long enough, I’ll eventually bring the R.O.E. for extra lunch.