Flasher Wrasse w/ Possum wrasse?

[Squiers007]

Hey all, been lurking here for quit some time and decided I should ask some questions to those that have been doing this longer than I.

For the past couple years I have been a lot more interested in keeping corals than keeping fish and as such I have not added any new fish in over a year. Currently I have 2 Orange lined cardinalfish and 1 yellow banded possum wrasse. The possum wrasse is very passive and is my favorite fish. I would like to add 3-4 flasher wrasse (McCosker's, Line-spot, Filamented, & maybe an Orange-Black Fairy) to my tank and want to make sure that no one will bother the possum.

My tank has been setup for 2+ yrs. and is a 75 gallon mixed reef w/ a 20 gal sump/fuge and Reef Octopus 150 skimmer. If the possum gets along with the flasher's then the only other fish I am considering adding would be a Midas Blenny (good choice?), but not for a month or so. So what does everyone think? Should everyone be ok? I know there are no definitive answers when it comes to fish but opinions are better than nothing. Thanks!

[reefjunkie42]

i think possums are aggressive, not sure tho I have no expeirence with them

[snorvich]

i think possums are aggressive, not sure tho I have no expeirence with them

No, they are somewhat reclusive, definitely not aggressive. Should have no interaction with a firefish.

[Squiers007]

i think possums are aggressive, not sure tho I have no expeirence with them

He's definitely not aggressive at all and is quit shy. He spends most of his time darting in and out of my rockwork and only really comes fully out into the open on occasion when I feed. Since he is so timid do you think the wrasse's will mess with him? Or since he mostly sticks to the rocks do you think they will just ignore him?

[Sigmund]

I have had my possum wrasse in with many other wrasses / angels/ hogfish etc. As mentioned the Possum is generally shy and a little reclusive. But you will definetly see it darting in and out of the rocks. My experience is that almost every fish I have had in with it, has basically ignored him. Due to the fact that it is always moving and always sliding in between something or another, most fish never get the chance to really engage it, thus they become almost background noise to any conflicts within the tank.

One cool thing is that mine always does is a little dance at sunset as the ambient light catches the side of the tank. It's one of the few times he will stay out in the open for an extended period of time.

[Squiers007]

I have had my possum wrasse in with many other wrasses / angels/ hogfish etc. As mentioned the Possum is generally shy and a little reclusive. But you will definetly see it darting in and out of the rocks. My experience is that almost every fish I have had in with it, has basically ignored him. Due to the fact that it is always moving and always sliding in between something or another, most fish never get the chance to really engage it, thus they become almost background noise to any conflicts within the tank.

One cool thing is that mine always does is a little dance at sunset as the ambient light catches the side of the tank. It's one of the few times he will stay out in the open for an extended period of time.

That's good to hear! Thanks for the response. I will let you know how it goes. I'm planning on getting a couple of the wrasse next week.

[rssjsb]

Don't have any flashers, but do have a boisterous pyle's wrasse in a 185 with a possum. As said above, all other fish ignore the possum, including the pyle's.

[snorvich]

And, of course, as I told you the first time you asked the question in a different thread, fairy and flasher wrasses should present no problem.

[Squiers007]

And, of course, as I told you the first time you asked the question in a different thread, fairy and flasher wrasses should present no problem.

And also as you told me, that was not a discussion thread, hence I created a new one so that I could "discuss" things with other members.

[snorvich]

And also as you told me, that was not a discussion thread, hence I created a new one so that I could "discuss" things with other members.

No problem. You can always do that with my blessing. And, of course they confirmed. :lol:

[snorvich]

The only thing you cannot do (as far as I know) is keep two possum wrasses unless they are bonded.

[Squiers007]

The only thing you cannot do (as far as I know) is keep two possum wrasses unless they are bonded.

Yep, knew that one! Thanks for the advice! And yes, you were correct, I will let everyone know how it goes when I add them next week.