Do we need a "Mixing Wrasses" Compatability Chart?

[kenettson1]

Is there one of these floating around out there?

I just see about ten threads a day on this topic in this forum.

I'm not experienced or informed enough on wrasses to make it myself or I would. I figure there may be some simple rules to follow or an aggressive to passive list.

Anyone have any thoughts?

[jnc914]

I will be tagging along on this one, i am also interested in wrasse compatability, especially among fairy wrasse species. I intend on adding several to my tank, but have been apprehensive as I have read that even the ones considered friendly often become aggressive to other fairy wrasses if not added at the same time. I have had aggression issues with the Pseudocheilinus species(six line, mystery, etc.)

[Fairy Wrassler]

That would be one big job, and I am not sure it would be possible. I am finding huge differences not only between species but between the regions from which they were collected. For example, IME Australian Scott's are less aggressive than others, Vanuatu mysteries are less aggressive, etc etc. There are also variati0ons on a fish by fish basis, and differences with different tankmates.

If anyone decides to take this on I am prepared to help if I can, but my honest opinion is that it is way harder than a simple chart.

FW

[zemuron114]

i agree with fairy wrassler. There are a lot of complications with wrasses. one wrasse will be fine but the same wrasse in the same size tank/set up will be the devil, etc.

there would be a lot of "with cautions" or "sometimes" on the chart. lol

Maybe one would be in depth to allow for those comments - like a comment section to clarify certain things. It could be done i think.

[snorvich]

Well it is not just a species to species compatibility issue. There is also an order of addition, size of addition, tank size, and much more. I have a LOT of fairy and flasher wrasses and I can assure you the variables are many.

[Landolakes]

There was a thread that listed aggression and order of placement at some point. I need to pony up the dough for the search to work well for me, Sorry RC

[chrisstie]

If I could impart any personal advice on this topic - avoid mixing wrasses with the same shape. For example, a coris wrasse and solarensis probably isn't a good idea, but one of them plus a possum wrasse would probably work out.

I think wrasse see other similarly shaped wrasse as conspecifics regardless of color and will fight. There are of course exceptions to every rule but I've found its a good guideline to go by. The size of your tank etc also has an impact on this so just apply a little common sense ( if you have a 55g, one or two wrasse suffice, in a 400g you can probably get away with a little bit more of the mixing)

[Fischer's Angel]

snorvich has it exactly right - mixing wrasses is a complex thing. Sometimes the exact same species added in the same mix won't work simply because the tanks are different size. Some species tolerate same species as long as not same sex.
Maybe a chart listing degree of aggressiveness would be easier? Then again, still a lot of variables. Mixing wrasses is a very doable thing, but more art than science. You kind of pick up a "feel" for it after trying different combinations, but even then it's still up to the individual wrasse.
This is just one of those things that is not black and white most of the time just a lot of grey.

[snorvich]

What can help is a socialization process. I have a breeder cup that I use to introduce new wrasses into a tank. After temperature and SG acclimation, I put the new fish in the breeder cup (about 6x6x4) which is attached via suction cups to the front of the tank. It has slits for water movement and a TOP. This allows me to see which fish if any are going to have major heartburn with the newcomer. I sometimes keep the newcomer in this for a day. I feed the tank and the new comer two or three times during this process.

This has allowed me to introduce a supermale lineatus to a tank with a supermale pylei. These fish are of similar size and shape and basically of a similar coloration. Worked just fine.

The really problematical wrasses are Scott's and Roseafaciata as they are super aggressive if introduced first and very aggressive even if introduced last.

[snorvich]

Oh, and if you are wondering where to get this, I got mine off of ebay from a guy that sells fish traps and acclimation chambers. But you can get small ones from Petco or equivalent.