Guide to selecting marine wrasses: fairy, flasher, leopard, and cleaner wrasses — characteristics, reef safety, and compatibility.
Key Takeaways
Guide to selecting marine wrasses: fairy, flasher, leopard, and cleaner wrasses — characteristics, reef safety, and compatibility.
Marine wrasses encompass an incredibly diverse family, offering beauty, utility in pest control, and fascinating behavior. Species vary dramatically in reef safety and temperament.
The most reef-safe group with stunning coloration. - Representatives: Lubbock's, Flame, Scott's Fairy Wrasse - Reef Safety: 5/5 (completely safe) - Note: Strong jumpers — tight-fitting lid essential
Males display brilliant flashing colors during courtship. - Representatives: McCosker's, Carpenter's - Reef Safety: 5/5 - Ideal as a harem (1 male + 2-3 females)
Active swimmers effective at pest control. - Representatives: Six Line, Four Line Wrasse - Reef Safety: 4/5 - Caution: Can be aggressive toward timid fish
Famous for cleaning parasites from other fish. - Reef Safety: 4/5 - Note: Must be transitioned to prepared foods in captivity
Tuskfish and Napoleon Wrasse are beautiful but grow large and prey on small crustaceans. - Reef Safety: 2/5 (will eat shrimp and crabs) - Require 120cm+ tanks
Bri-Choku breeders provide detailed temperament and reef safety information for each individual.
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