Wrasse Compatability

[reefgeezer]

I'm restocking from scratch. I'd like to include a Melanarus and a Six-Line Wrasse in my 75. Does anyone have any idea if they'll get along? If the 6-line is small and the Melarnus is larger, which should I stock first? Or should I stock them at the same time?

[Fragman4]

Six lines can be aggressive. I would put the six line in last if that is a must have fish for you. If not, I would pick a different wrasse.

[eatbreakfast]

Six lines can be aggressive. I would put the six line in last if that is a must have fish for you. If not, I would pick a different wrasse.

Agreed sixlines can be pretty mean, especially to other wrasses, even if the other is bigger. If it is a "must have" fish just add him last.

[Sams Reef]

The 6-line wrasse will limit your stocking, so it should be added last. I have a 6-line wrasse and now I can add very little in the way of fish.

[reefgeezer]

Thanks. Yea, it's a must have and so in the Melanarus. I'm hoping that starting the Six-line small and putting him in last will work. Here's my stock list & order. I'd appreciate input. The tank is a 75 but the system is more like 135 gallons with sump and fuges,

1. Copperband Butterfly - Doing well now in QT that ends in two weeks
2. 5 or 6 Assorted Chromis
3. Black Cap Basslet
4. Melarnus Wrasse
5. Flame Hawk
6. Hippo Tang (Yeah, I know)
7. Yellow Tang (Yeah, I know...again)
8. Six-Line Wrasse

[albano]

I'm hoping that starting the Six-line small and putting him in last will work.

It won't work...rethink your 'must haves' before it's too late

[reefgeezer]

It won't work...rethink your 'must haves' before it's too late

Thanks. I'll yield to experience. I'll dump the Six-line. Is there anything else (other then the obvious Tang issue) on my list that might be an issue?

[albano]

You have to remember that even with a 1000g sump, your DT is only 75g and that is where your fish will live and swim...the system size will help maintain water conditions, but the limited swimming area is the problem for the tangs. Starting with 'tiny' tangs will help, but in a year or 2 you may have to remove 1 or both. How about a Flame angel or Coral Beauty instead of 1 tang?
Chromis may pick off each other till only 1 is left...IMO they are 'cute' when tiny, but not very attractive when they get big.

[reefgeezer]

Yea, I know the Tangs will be a few year deal. I've done it twice before. 4"-5" healthy, tank acclimated Tangs are pretty popular and are easy to ship.

Might three or four Anthias be more suitable than the Chromis and the Six-line? Does anybody have a suggestion about which Anthias might be easiest to maintain?

[eatbreakfast]

Bartlett anthias are easy, but can be aggressive toward one another and other anthias. Squamipinnis are easy. Dispars and Randalls are also pretty hardy.

[reefgeezer]

Ok... I did some rethinking based on the above suggestions. I'd like to replace some of the fish on the list with an Exquisite Fairy Wrasse and a McCoskers Flasher Wrasse. Does anyone have any experience with their compatibility with a Melanarus Wrasse?

[albano]

Those 3 should be fine together

[reefgeezer]

Those 3 should be fine together

Thanks. One last question. If Wrasses are to play a more prominent role in my tank, substrate might be an issue. The tank is currently bare bottom with a lot of flow. I'm not opposed to adding a couple of inches of sand. I think I could use a somewhat coarse sand like "Reef Special Grade", but I'm afraid that fine aragonite sand will just be blown all over the tank. Will the coarser sand work for the Wrasses?

[albano]

Fairy and flashers don't need the sand... You could have a small Tupperware container of sand behind some rocks for the melanarus or just do a couple of inches in the tank

[MacWilliams]

I have had a Six-line Wrasse for 2 years now. Have also added fish to the tank after it and have had zero problems. Not even a little aggression.

Current stock:
One Spot Foxface
2 Black and White Clowns
2 Lyretail Anthias
1 Blue Spot Watchman Goby w/ Pistol shrimp
1 Coral Beauty
1 Six-line Wrasse

Tank is a 120 gallon cube with plenty of hiding spaces so that may have something to do with my success with the wrasse.

[albano]

I have had a Six-line Wrasse for 2 years now. Have also added fish to the tank after it and have had zero problems. Not even a little aggression...

Tank is a 120 gallon cube with plenty of hiding spaces so that may have something to do with my success with the wrasse.
IMO, not because of the tank, I had a 6 line in a 5' 170g tank that started killing fish after a few years of no problems...just give it time!

[MacWilliams]

Only fish i would be worried about are the anthias. The 2 clowns coral beauty and foxface shouldnt have any issues putting it in its place. The Goby can just hide like gobies do.

[3dees]

I have a Melanurus and a sixline in my 120. the melanurus is about 5 inches and was one of the first fish in the tank about 14 months ago. I add the 1 1/2 inch sixline about four months ago. so far they don't seem to even notice each other. the sixline was the last fish for my tank. hoping they get along.

[pktech]

You have to remember that even with a 1000g sump, your DT is only 75g and that is where your fish will live and swim...the system size will help maintain water conditions, but the limited swimming area is the problem for the tangs. Starting with 'tiny' tangs will help, but in a year or 2 you may have to remove 1 or both.

Tiny tangs don't stay tiny for more than 3 months - true story. LiveAquaria had a sale on Regal tangs about a year ago - I got 2. The cutest little guys ever, each the size of my thumb. I figured I had a 1 year to grow them out & within 3 months, I brought them to my LFS because they were getting close to 3"! It was amazing to witness, but not appropriate for my tank or each other for that matter.