Wrasse Keeping Guide — Popular Species Profiles & Compatibility Tips

Wrasses (the Lais family) are one of the groups with the most species among saltwater fish, numbering over 600 species. With their vibrant colors, active movements, and some species that eat harmful pests, they excel both for display purposes and practical use. They range from small, easy-to-keep species to large, impressive species, allowing selection based on tank size and purpose.

Popular Wrasse Species and Characteristics

The Yellow Coris (Golden Wrasse) is characterized by its bright yellow body color and the habit of burying itself in sand to sleep. Hardy and easy to keep, it's a recommended starter species even for beginners. The Sixline Wrasse (a member of the False Striped Wrasse family) has six horizontal stripes on its body and, despite its small size, swims actively around. It's also known as a beneficial fish that patrols the gaps in live rock and preys on small pests (such as flatworms and bristle worms). The Fairy Wrasse (Leptojulis genus) has beautiful body colors in pink, purple, red, and others, swimming gracefully in the mid-water. The display behavior of males called "flashing" is impressive. The Flasher Wrasse (Paracheilinus genus) is closely related to the Fairy Wrasse, with the courtship behavior of spreading its fins wide being the origin of its name. The Bicolor Cleaner Wrasse is famous as a cleaner fish that cleans the body surface of other fish.

Sand-Burying Behavior and Bottom Sand Selection

Many wrasses have the habit of burying themselves in sand to sleep at night. The Yellow Coris, Pink-streak Wrasse, and Melanesian Wrasse are typical examples. To accommodate this behavior, bottom sand selection is important when keeping sand-burying species. Use fine coral sand without sharp edges (powder to fine grain) at a thickness of 5 cm or more. Coarse grains prevent burrowing and can damage the fish's body surface. Keeping sand-burying wrasses in a bare tank (without substrate) is not suitable. Shortly after introduction, they may stay buried in the sand for several days until they become accustomed to the environment, but they will naturally emerge once they detect food. Care must also be taken to prevent jumping accidents, as wrasses have a habit of jumping when startled. Always install a cover on the tank and ensure there are no gaps.

Suitability in Coral Tanks

When keeping wrasses in a coral tank (reef tank), the safety to corals varies greatly depending on the species. Species considered reef-safe include Fairy Wrasses, Flasher Wrasses, and Sixline Wrasses, which rarely cause coral predation. On the other hand, large wrasses (such as Thalassoma and Humphead Wrasse) prey on crustaceans like shrimp and crabs, and can also flip corals, making them unsuitable for reef tanks. Yellow Coris is generally reef-safe, but may occasionally prey on small shrimp (such as Sexy Shrimp). The Bicolor Cleaner Wrasse is generally reef-safe, but since it rarely feeds on coral mucus, care is necessary.

Precautions for Tankmates and Compatibility Between Wrasses

When keeping wrasses together, housing multiple of the same or closely related species can result in intense territorial disputes. Sixline Wrasses in particular, despite their small size, have very strong temperaments and may bully fish added later. Generally, one wrasse per species per tank is safest. As an exception, Fairy Wrasses and Flasher Wrasses can be kept in a "harem" format with one male and multiple females. With other fish, many wrasse species have relatively good compatibility. However, when introducing the Bicolor Cleaner Wrasse, check that there are no nervous fish that dislike being cleaned. Additionally, since wrasses move quickly and have voracious appetites, calm fish may not be able to get food. During feeding, it's necessary to distribute food to multiple locations to ensure it reaches all fish.

Obtain Healthy Wrasses from Brichoku

Some wrass species are sensitive to transportation stress, and the condition at introduction affects the success of long-term keeping. At Brichoku, you can directly purchase individuals that have been conditioned and treated by breeders, and you can also consult in advance about precautions for caring for each species. Obtain information based on actual breeding experience, such as how to burrow in sand and compatibility with other fish, and start keeping wrasses with confidence.