katarian Posted September 28, 2016 Share Posted September 28, 2016 My wife and I are thinking about adding a new fish to our 55 gallon tank. Right now we have 1 chromis, 2 Ocellaris Clowns, 2 peppermint Shrimp, a RBTA, and some CUC. And some softies. We were thinking about some sort of wrasse, something that's not aggressive. One of the reasons we were thinking about Wrasse is because they eat pests, including bristle worm (I just have a huge population of them inside the tank, some of them are around 10inch long, and need something that will keep their population in check and not just completely eradicate them. But we are pretty open about other fishes too. So I'd love to get some input from you all experienced reefers. And something on the cheaper side please. Maybe around $30 at most. I'm not risking buying something expensive right now that might end up dying, as the tank is pretty new. Thank you Sent from my SM-N915V using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fragged Posted September 28, 2016 Share Posted September 28, 2016 (edited) Melanarus Wrasse. It's quite possibly the very best fish one can own. Fantastic pest control, zero aggression, unlike the 6 line that a majority of people love. Edited September 28, 2016 by Fragged 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katarian Posted September 29, 2016 Author Share Posted September 29, 2016 Melanarus Wrasse. It's quite possibly the very best fish one can own. Fantastic pest control, zero aggression, unlike the 6 line that a majority of people love.It is beautiful. I just read they usually go after crabs and other invertebrates. Is that a fact? Sent from my SM-N915V using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PowderBlue Posted September 29, 2016 Share Posted September 29, 2016 +1 For Melanarus, I have one, he's beautiful, and a model citizen. I have 2 shrimp and he's never once gone for them. Can't say for crabs as I don't have any, I hate crabs. Sent from my SM-G928V using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PowderBlue Posted September 29, 2016 Share Posted September 29, 2016 (edited) Sent from my SM-G928V using Tapatalk Edited September 29, 2016 by PowderBlue 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fragged Posted September 29, 2016 Share Posted September 29, 2016 I have had one in every tank since learning about them. Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katarian Posted September 29, 2016 Author Share Posted September 29, 2016 Sent from my SM-G928V using Tapatalk It's beautiful! Definitely getting one haha ???? So what do you use instead of crabs? Snails? Sent from my SM-N915V using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katarian Posted September 29, 2016 Author Share Posted September 29, 2016 I have had one in every tank since learning about them. Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk Sweet! I'll get one! Sent from my SM-N915V using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PowderBlue Posted September 29, 2016 Share Posted September 29, 2016 snails, and conchs Sent from my SM-G928V using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fragged Posted September 29, 2016 Share Posted September 29, 2016 I use tangs lol Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katarian Posted September 29, 2016 Author Share Posted September 29, 2016 I use tangs lol Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk Tangs get really big. and I'm trying to stick to fish that don't get too big. Sent from my SM-N915V using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fragged Posted September 29, 2016 Share Posted September 29, 2016 Tangs get really big. and I'm trying to stick to fish that don't get too big. Sent from my SM-N915V using Tapatalk My tank isn't really big enough for tangs so I buy them small.... Like super small, ask Travis. Anyway, when they get medium sized I give them away or try and trade them for small ones. I can bet at least a few of you have bought tangs from LFS's that grew up in my tank. Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katarian Posted September 29, 2016 Author Share Posted September 29, 2016 My tank isn't really big enough for tangs so I buy them small.... Like super small, ask Travis. Anyway, when they get medium sized I give them away or try and trade them for small ones. I can bet at least a few of you have bought tangs from LFS's that grew up in my tank. Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk Yeah, that's one option. but aren't they really aggressive? Sent from my SM-N915V using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jorge Posted September 29, 2016 Share Posted September 29, 2016 My experience with these fish and other wrasses alike is they're more than likely not gonna go after large bristle worms like your 10" ones. If you're looking to reduce the bristle worm population I recommend you remove as many as you can manually (tongs) and add an arrow crab to keep them in check. Also melanurus and halichores are opportunistic and will go after flipped over snails. GL with whichever method you choose! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fragged Posted September 29, 2016 Share Posted September 29, 2016 Females are very hard to find, honestly I only know one reliable source for female Melenarus wrasses, males are the colorful ones you will most likely want. It's what Powdered blue posted. Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fragged Posted September 29, 2016 Share Posted September 29, 2016 My experience with these fish and other wrasses alike is they're more than likely not gonna go after large bristle worms like your 10" ones. If you're looking to reduce the bristle worm population I recommend you remove as many as you can manually (tongs) and add an arrow crab to keep them in check. Also melanurus and halichores are opportunistic and will go after flipped over snails. GL with whichever method you choose!This is kinda true for me. I will admit I quickly flip over a snail if I see it upside down, and usually I am brushing my wrasse away the whole time.... While being jumped by my [language filter] clowns who bite the....nevermind. But at the same time one of my favorite pastimes is grabbing a bristle worm with tongs and releasing it halfway up the tank and watching the wrasse snag it before it ever touches sand again. I do not, and I repeat, DO NOT hunt for worms.... I actually want the small ones in my tank as I believe we all should. But if they make themselves an easy target I will feed it to the wrasse. Just like spiders.... I don't touch them outside.... I'm in their house, but come inside and it's death on sight. And violently, with squirms and shivers galore Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katarian Posted September 29, 2016 Author Share Posted September 29, 2016 This is kinda true for me. I will admit I quickly flip over a snail if I see it upside down, and usually I am brushing my wrasse away the whole time.... While being jumped by my [language filter] clowns who bite the....nevermind. But at the same time one of my favorite pastimes is grabbing a bristle worm with tongs and releasing it halfway up the tank and watching the wrasse snag it before it ever touches sand again. I do not, and I repeat, DO NOT hunt for worms.... I actually want the small ones in my tank as I believe we all should. But if they make themselves an easy target I will feed it to the wrasse. Just like spiders.... I don't touch them outside.... I'm in their house, but come inside and it's death on sight. And violently, with squirms and shivers galore Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk Haha you're hilarious! Lol So what's a good place to buy that wrasse from? Sent from my SM-N915V using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katarian Posted September 29, 2016 Author Share Posted September 29, 2016 My experience with these fish and other wrasses alike is they're more than likely not gonna go after large bristle worms like your 10" ones. If you're looking to reduce the bristle worm population I recommend you remove as many as you can manually (tongs) and add an arrow crab to keep them in check. Also melanurus and halichores are opportunistic and will go after flipped over snails. GL with whichever method you choose!I was actually thinking about an arrow crab, but I read so many negative things about them. So not sure if I want to go that route. Sent from my SM-N915V using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fragged Posted September 29, 2016 Share Posted September 29, 2016 (edited) I was actually thinking about an arrow crab, but I read so many negative things about them. So not sure if I want to go that route. Sent from my SM-N915V using Tapatalk The wrasse will most likely eat an arrow crab... and quick. I have been lucky since it appears about half of the Melenarus wrasses out there are crab killers but I myself have never had one. Meaning get the crab first and let him do his job, then get him out and get the wrasse.... Or leave it in and expect the wrasse to eat it at some point Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk Edited September 29, 2016 by Fragged 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katarian Posted September 29, 2016 Author Share Posted September 29, 2016 The wrasse will most likely eat an arrow crab... and quick. I have been lucky since it appears about half of the Melenarus wrasses out there are crab killers but I myself have never had one. Meaning get the crab first and let him do his job, then get him out and get the wrasse.... Or leave it in and expect the wrasse to eat it at some point Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk What's a good place to get wrasse from? Sent from my SM-N915V using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fragged Posted September 29, 2016 Share Posted September 29, 2016 Yeah, that's one option. but aren't they really aggressive? Sent from my SM-N915V using Tapatalk Tangs? Not that I've seen. I mean they school so I imagine they could get aggressive when in a pack but I've never seen an aggressive tang. Not in my tank anyway. But I've only had purple, yellow, hippo, and whatever this one is I got 2 days ago Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katarian Posted September 29, 2016 Author Share Posted September 29, 2016 Tangs? Not that I've seen. I mean they school so I imagine they could get aggressive when in a pack but I've never seen an aggressive tang. Not in my tank anyway. But I've only had purple, yellow, hippo, and whatever this one is I got 2 days ago Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk Oh okay. well then maybe a tang will be my next fish Sent from my SM-N915V using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fragged Posted September 29, 2016 Share Posted September 29, 2016 What's a good place to get wrasse from? Sent from my SM-N915V using Tapatalk Well... Pm me if you want a female or a pair. I got a pair last time and am extremely happy. If it's just a male... Well pm me again or Upscales. I only say pm to not offend any sponsors by rival promotion Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fragged Posted September 29, 2016 Share Posted September 29, 2016 Oh okay. well then maybe a tang will be my next fish Sent from my SM-N915V using Tapatalk There are more experienced tang owners here that can probably share a more educated opinion on tang aggression than I. Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katarian Posted September 29, 2016 Author Share Posted September 29, 2016 Well... Pm me if you want a female or a pair. I got a pair last time and am extremely happy. If it's just a male... Well pm me again or Upscales. I only say pm to not offend any sponsors by rival promotion Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk Aah, I had no idea you're a seller too Sending you a pm now Sent from my SM-N915V using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.