Pod-eating fish decisions

[jeremyjoslin]

I have a 125g DT with a 40g refugium teaming with pods. Even the DT now has pods (i believe amphipods) that come out by the hundreds at night. I grow thick caulerpa in the fuge with good success in providing fauna habitat. This is all by intention to grow a population of pods.

My question is do I need to decide between a mandarin and a 6-line wrasse, or is possible to keep both. I favor the mandarin, but my wife favors the wrasse. I know they both need an endless supply of pods which I believe I can supply. I'm OK with one or the other, but it's a hard decision and I'm wondering if anyone has had success with keeping both in a similar setup.

[Avi]

Well, the common wisdom is that anyone keeping a reef should wait a significant period of time before they risk acquiring a Mandarin, and to a lesser extent, other pod-demanding fish for their reef. And, I agree that the common wisdom is, indeed....wisdom. On the other hand, though, that shouldn't create the notion that one should be hampered in the decision to add a Mandarin or other pod-eating fish or fishes to their well-established reef. From what you say, it's clear that your reef, along with its refugium, is mature and is ready for pod-eating fish. My 120-gallon reef with its sump/refugium is over 6-years old. I don't grow caulerpa, but I do have a very significant growth of Chaeto in the sump which supports a healthy and constant population of pods. I do see pods in my display tank but honestly don't see them in the multitude that you have in yours. Still, I have two Mandarins (not a pair and I believe that they are both males) in my reef and have had them there together for over two-years. The first of the two has been in the tank for about 4-years. I also have pod-loving fish in the tank like a Copperband Butterfly and a Yellow Coris. I'd point out that the Mandarins have full bellies and great color. So...what I'm saying is that in your system's condition, pod-wise, I think you can add both the Mandarin and the 6-line Wrasse without any risk.

[jeremyjoslin]

Good to hear about your mandarins.

I'm not in a hurry, and won't end up acquiring the fish for some time anyway. Just doing some planning.

I don't plan any other pod-eaters either.

Thanks for the info.

[snorvich]

Six line wrasses can be very aggressive and preclude the addition of some other fish, notably fairy and flasher wrasses.

[iamwrasseman]

i would have to go with a leopard wrasse as they are more favored in my house but the psychedelic mandarin is cool looking too .

[jeremyjoslin]

Originally Posted by snorvich

Six line wrasses can be very aggressive and preclude the addition of some other fish, notably fairy and flasher wrasses.

I'm pretty sure I'd only want one wrasse anyway. Are they known to be aggressive to other non-similar fish in a large tank? I owned one before and he was a model citizen with a spunky, but behaved personality.

[jeremyjoslin]

Originally Posted by iamwrasseman

i would have to go with a leopard wrasse as they are more favored in my house but the psychedelic mandarin is cool looking too .

I've never known a leopard wrasse. Will look into it. I've known plenty of 6-lines and their personality always shines.

[Gogandantess]

Go with the Mandarin. Much more relaxing seeing them hunt hours and hours. And they don't bother any other fish. They just mind their own business.

[jeremyjoslin]

Unless otherwise advised, I'll probably go with a mandarin first. Then finish stocking my tank (clowns, tangs, etc), and then get a 6-line wrasse to top things off.

[Niño R]

You could get a mated pair of dragonets... A his and her pair.

[sslak]

The Mandarin gets my vote, then again...I have one. Ultimately it's your tank so you have to choose, but one awesome thing about a mandarin and most dragonettes is they are extremely laid back.

They're like little hummingbirds, they never bother any other fish and just peck around the rocks...fun to watch. I had a sixline in my biocube and he was an angry little fish.

I would avoid a Leopard wrasse - they are very difficult shippers and have a poor chance of survival in most cases.

[jeremyjoslin]

Yeah, love Mandarins (my fav vs wife's fav, remember).

I've never seen a mated pair of Mandarins before. Do you they act like a couple?

Briefly read about the leopard wrasse... no interest. Read about a guy who went through 5 in a row that dead within 2 weeks of acquiring.

Some day I'd like to add a nano in series plumbing with my DT. Maybe that's a good place for a 6-line. Do they harass tank mates even when added last?

[CorkPullerPHL]

My vote against the wrasse is simple. If the 6 line starts to cause problems, they are almost impossible to catch. They are fast, clever little buggers.

[juicesay]

You can get a flame wrasse, or any other less aggressive wrasse and you'll be fine.

6, 8 and 12 lines are too aggressive and will prevent future fish being introduced.

[jeremyjoslin]

i once had a flame hawk that killed every fish it came across. i had to tear down my entire tank to get him out.

[justnmatt79]

Sixlines are mean little buggers. Mine terrorizes any nassarius snail that dares to crawl up the glass. Bites their "trunks" right off. I like him though. Definitely will not be adding any other fish to the tank, as I can see he would be a terror. And he definitely did a number on my pod population. I never see them anymore.

[RainbowTurtle]

Originally Posted by jeremyjoslin

I'm pretty sure I'd only want one wrasse anyway. Are they known to be aggressive to other non-similar fish in a large tank? I owned one before and he was a model citizen with a spunky, but behaved personality.

:/

[RainbowTurtle]

Originally Posted by jeremyjoslin

I'm pretty sure I'd only want one wrasse anyway. Are they known to be aggressive to other non-similar fish in a large tank? I owned one before and he was a model citizen with a spunky, but behaved personality.

Yes. In fact I believe their scientific name is the Six Line Jailhouse Jerk Fish because they kill off so many of your other fish you have to put them in solitary. It's why they come with stripes too. Pre-equipped with prison uniform.

[ThRoewer]

Originally Posted by CorkPullerPHL

My vote against the wrasse is simple. If the 6 line starts to cause problems, they are almost impossible to catch. They are fast, clever little buggers.

There is a trick to catch them with a trap: add a mirror to the back of the trap.
They won't get fooled by food but seeing another equal sized sixline that refuses to submit to them drive them so mad that they let all caution go. I got them every time that way.

As for the OP: I would go with a pair of mandarins. But I would suggest to only get small specimen as they adapt better to life in captivity. Also their pod consumption will be way less than that of fully frown adults.

BTW: in my experience sixlines only work well in pairs and with larger fish. They usually don't get along with mandarins and may kill them (I had that happen more than once before I made the connection).

[MondoBongo]

Originally Posted by jeremyjoslin

Some day I'd like to add a nano in series plumbing with my DT. Maybe that's a good place for a 6-line. Do they harass tank mates even when added last?

mine harassed everyone but the yellow tang. total jerk, had to remove him. he would mercilessly torment my clownfish. getting a running start from down low in the tank and charging in to them up in their corner where they liked to hang out.

in your situation, i would personally be less concerned about food quantity than aggression if they were in the the same tank.

as far as the nano, eh i don't think that would be a good place. my six line was a little torpedo in my 75. i miss watching him zoom around, but he was always covering a lot of ground, and covering it very quickly.