Wrasses: Brilliant Fish, but Cover the Tank
Wrasses are probably the most diverse family of reef-safe fish available to UK hobbyists. Some are the best reef fish going. Others will eat an entire clean-up crew in a week. And nearly all of them jump — a lid, mesh, or netting is essential.
The Reef-Safe Stars
Fairy Wrasses — Peaceful, colourful beyond belief, and completely reef-safe. Males display with flashing colours. Solar, flame, and exquisite fairy wrasses are all excellent choices. Best kept as one male with two or three females in 200+ litres.
Flasher Wrasses — Similar to fairy wrasses with even more dramatic male displays. McCosker's and carpenter's flasher wrasses are commonly available in the UK.
Six Line Wrasse — Tiny, vivid, and hunts flatworms and small pests. Personality varies wildly though — some are peaceful, others become terrors. Better odds in larger tanks (200+ litres) with established tankmates.
The Useful Ones
Melanurus Wrasse — A genuine utility fish. Eats flatworms, pyramidellid snails, fireworms, and other pests. Needs sand to sleep in. Brilliant for any reef over 150 litres.
Yellow Coris Wrasse — Another sand-sleeper and pest hunter. Peaceful, bright yellow, easy to keep.
Ones to Avoid in Reef Tanks
Bird Wrasses, Dragon Wrasses — Too large, too aggressive, and they'll eat shrimp, crabs, and snails. Leopard Wrasses — Specialist feeders that usually starve in captivity. For very experienced keepers only.
The Jumping Problem
Wrasses jump when startled, at feeding time, and for no apparent reason. Solutions: DIY mesh screens, glass/acrylic lids, or netting secured with clips.
Keeping Wrasses Together
Multiple species can work in 300+ litre tanks if they're different genera and body shapes. One male fairy wrasse plus one male flasher wrasse plus a melanurus makes a nice diverse community.
What wrasse species have worked well — or not — in other UK tanks?
0 replies
No replies yet
Be the first to reply!
Sign in to reply to this topic
Sign in