Which combo

Amand · #1 09/10/2005, 09:52 PM

I am currently trying to decide which combo of wrasses I want to put in my tank. It is a 58g tank that will be mainly SPS. Right now all I have is a pair of percs in the tank. I am thinking of adding about 3 wrasses but not sure which combination would be best

1. 1 male and 2 females of the same species most likely carpenters (Paracheilinus carpenteri) or filamented (Paracheilinus filamentosus)

2. 3 different species. Likely 1 carpenter or filamented, 1 scotts (Cirrhilabrus scottorum) and 1 longfin (Cirrhilabrus rubriventralis)

If I go with the 2nd option will I have problems with aggresion between them? Would give me a bit more variety.

Philwd · #2 09/11/2005, 01:55 AM

Hi Amand,
I tried number 1 for a while. I had great difficulty getting carpenters females and when I finally did one started turning into a male in QT. I already had a male so that didn't work out. The fish later died still in QT so I never saw what would have happened in the display. I later lost my male to ich and have just replaced him.
I've decided to go your #2 route. My male carpenters regularly flash their reflections and the clarkiis so I don't need females to get him to display. Plus the wrasses won't spawn in captivity. I don't have experience with the other 2 wrasses on your list. I'm going to get a labouti and a lineatus. Get the carpenters first as they are more passive. The longfin may be close enough in body shape and color to cause a problem. I consided it but decided against it for that reason.

Good luck,
Phil

Amand · #3 09/12/2005, 09:05 AM

Thanks, if I go route 1 I am going to try to get them all at once but not sure how possible that will be. If I go route 2 I am not really set on those 3. Just a few of the ones I liked. I really liked the lineatus as well but thought that was even closer to the carpenters then the longfin and at about 200 each not cheap. Will have to take a look at them again.