What would be a good Wrasse to add to my tank?

[albie]

I have a 60 gallon tank, currently cycling with Tampa Bay Saltwater live rock. Planning to stock with the following fish:

2 ocellaris clownfish
Flame angelfish
Some sort of puffer eg Valentini, Bennet’s Sharpnose
Midas Blenny
Some sort of goby
And maybe a Banggai cardinal and/or firefish.

I’m wondering about also adding a Wrasse to the mix. Some tank cleaning capability would be a plus! Any suggestions with this tank size and tank mates? Going to either just stick with live rock or add some soft corals down the road.

 

[Formulator]

I would suggest waiting at least 6 months, ideally a year before attempting a wrasse. They graze on copepods and amphipods throughout the day and those pods only come with time and tank maturity. You can buy pods or culture them and add to the tank, but they won’t do very well in a brand new tank. You will also need a lid/screen on your tank if you don’t already have one. Wrasse are jumpers.

Take my advice or leave it. Whenever you do decide to get one, I am personally a huge fan of leopard wrasse, both ornate and vermiculated.

 

[albie]

I would suggest waiting at least 6 months, ideally a year before attempting a wrasse. They graze on copepods and amphipods throughout the day and those pods only come with time and tank maturity. You can buy pods or culture them and add to the tank, but they won’t do very well in a brand new tank. You will also need a lid/screen on your tank if you don’t already have one. Wrasse are jumpers.

Take my advice or leave it. Whenever you do decide to get one, I am personally a huge fan of leopard wrasse, both ornate and vermiculated.

Thanks for the advice. I certainly don’t mind waiting a while to add the last couple of fish to the tank and do at least have a lid.

Is this the same for all wrasses or are the leopards more difficult than some others? I see they are marked as Expert Only on Live Aquaria (and seem to need more space than my 60 gallon), whereas others are classed as Easy and able to get by in a smaller tank.

 

[OrionN]

If you add last a Sixline or Fourline wrasse would be fine. They are very beautiful fish, especially Fourline, but aggressive. I also like Black Leopards. Much nicer fish than the lined wrasse, and I dare say more beautiful than any other Leopard wrasses.

I just have to post pictures after stating the above

Female

Male

Nuptial Male coloration

 

[xWascallyWabbit]

Yellow coris wrasses are great. Will go after snails though. Any fairy wrasse would be great.

 

[albie]

If you add last a Sixline or Fourline wrasse would be fine. They are very beautiful fish, especially Fourline, but aggressive. I also like Black Leopards. Much nicer fish than the lined wrasse, and I dare say more beautiful than any other Leopard wrasses.

I just have to post pictures after stating the above

Female

Male

Nuptial Male coloration

Thanks for the input. Beautiful fish, but I’m starting to think maybe not right for my tank.

 

[OrionN]

Yellow Coris isn’t a Coris wrasse. The genus Coris has huge non reefsafe wrasses.

 

[Formulator]

If you add last a Sixline or Fourline wrasse would be fine. They are very beautiful fish, especially Fourline, but aggressive. I also like Black Leopards. Much nicer fish than the lined wrasse, and I dare say more beautiful than any other Leopard wrasses.

I just have to post pictures after stating the above

Female

Male

Nuptial Male coloration

Agree 100%! I have a pair in my 120g

 

[Formulator]

Thanks for the input. Beautiful fish, but I’m starting to think maybe not right for my tank.

Have you considered anthias? Beautiful fish in the same size range as wrasse and will be fine on frozen food you feed the rest of your fish.