Wrasses Lovers - Need advice

blosserl · 07-29-2008, 12:24 AM

Hi, I would like to purchase a wrasse as a gift to a very helpful friend of mine that I have meet through this new saltwater hobby. He owns a local pet/fish store (not in my state) but has given me a tremendous amount of his time, patience and support.

From our conversations I know that he does not he deal much in wrasses for the sole reason that most are more expensive and many of his SW customers are new to the hobby, coming from FW and are not yet comfortable paying the high prices of some of the SW fish.

Our conversations have often included little tidbits of the enjoyment I get from my wrasses. I have 2 Cirrhilabrus; a Pylea Male and a Male WhipFin Fairy.

I really think he would enjoy a beautiful wrasses to add to one of his display tanks and I would like to buy it for him as a thank you... possibly from Diver's Den, as I would like to see it and know that it is a male.

Can I ask for a few of you to jump in and offer suggestions as to the particular Wrasses.

There are so many and I would like to make a decision based on experience rather than pictures. I do want a Male Reef Friendly wrasse. One of the things I enjoy so much is when they are showing/flashing their colors. It would be for a man (if that makes a difference) and I would him friendly (not shy and hiding) yet not aggressive.

Please offer any (even trivial) information as it may really help with my selection.
Thanks for your time and attention!

**CarmieJo** · 07-29-2008, 11:25 PM

I don't know much about the wrasses so I will be following along to learn.

blosserl · 07-30-2008, 03:43 PM

Seems you might be watching a dead thread - I have had this up a couple days and NO response. I am really surprised. I know that there are a lot of wrasse fans out there.

Hope someone jumps in!

....my little smiley icons don't seem to be working

well that worked when I typed a colon and bracket ??

rroselavy · 07-30-2008, 04:33 PM

Wrasses really appeal to me. If I had a larger "species" tank, it would definitely be a Wrasse tank. Alas, my rimless 55g is not so good for large wrasse and those destined to jump...so I have had only a sixline (who passed away when he got stuck between my overflow grill and my back pane) and now a pretty four line.

Other small, reef-safe ones that really catch my eye are the McCosker's Flasher Wrasses, the Tricolor Fairy Wrasse, and the expensive Labout's Fairy Wrasses. Even more expensive (and larger) is the Mystery Wrasse.

Leopard Wrasses, such as the (Macropharyngodon bipartitus), (Macropharyngodon meleagris) are even more stunning but listed as "Expert" only.

There are other wrasses that are as beautiful, but are listed as either aggressive or non-reef safe. I saw a Dragon Wrasse Juvenile at a LFS that was one of the coolest fish I have ever seen. As they mature they transform into less remarkable adults. I also saw a Harlequin Tusk at Seaworld a few days ago that was beautiful. The Yellowtail Coris is also remarkable yet aggressive.

It is really amazing the broad range in colors and temperaments the Wrasse family has.

Good luck.

Jace · 08-03-2008, 10:43 PM

I just got a 6line today. Verry neat fish but he's hiding at the moment as it says online verry shy fish at first. and not to mention he escape his accliamation today when my dog barked i jumped and he was free. So hes hiding atm He comes out here and there for a half of a second. I enjoy it its like hes teasing me. Georgous colors tho

rroselavy · 08-04-2008, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jace

I just got a 6line today. Verry neat fish but he's hiding at the moment as it says online verry shy fish at first. and not to mention he escape his accliamation today when my dog barked i jumped and he was free. So hes hiding atm He comes out here and there for a half of a second. I enjoy it its like hes teasing me. Georgous colors tho

My sixline was also gorgeous, and swam so elegantly with the graceful curve of its entire body as it would expertly glide through small holes and crevices. My clownfish seemed quite goofy, and my Cardinal fish quite twitchy by comparison.

My fourline is very similar, and striking - but not quite as graceful.

Both were quite bold and curious after acclimation. I wouldn't worry if yours hides for a while. My fourline has since put my Pajama Cardinal in his place - who thought he was top of the pecking order before the wrasse arrived. Took him down a notch...

BTW: How long did he acclimate for? Do you know what the temp/pH/SG differences were between the bag water and your tank water?