Advice on wrasses...

[Eight]

So last night I went and splurged and picked up a pair of Flame Wrasses, male and female and a Christmas Wrasse. The male flame and christmas are pretty big, probably 6" long each, the female flame is 4". They're currently in my newly setup 170. The female flame and christmas were out last night and already ate some mysis. The male flame spent most of the evening hiding which sounds pretty typical.

Couple of Q's:

1) I have a much smaller 4" mystery wrasse currently in my old tank waiting to be moved to the new one. I am thinking about waiting a week or two to get the flames and christmas wrasses established and then introduce the mystery once everyone is eating regularly. I know mysteries can be jerks... any thoughts on what else I can do to minimize aggression other than waiting to establish the other wrasses and introducing at night? (Or is having a mystery with the other wrasses just a bad idea period? This mystery has been pretty well behaved so far and hasn't bothered anyone in the past, i have a couple of gobies and a small psuedochromis as well...)

2) I spoke to Ian a few weeks ago and I know that he has a small cup of sand that he keeps in his tank for the wrasses to sleep in... anyone else have luck with that? My tank is BB, but I have room to put in a small tray or cup of sand in the back for them.

 

[iani]

I would hold off with the mystery until you know that is the last wrasse you want to add to your tank. Also be prepared with a fish trap if the mystery starts going off on a tear on your other wrasses.

 

[Ocean Treasures Aquarium]

Depends on the type of Mystery wrasse it is. The Vanuatu Mystery's are highly aggressive I find.

 

[Eight]

Any idea on how to tell them apart?

 

[zambavi]

I would hold off with the mystery until you know that is the last wrasse you want to add to your tank. Also be prepared with a fish trap if the mystery starts going off on a tear on your other wrasses.

+1 ...save him until you know he's the last one in.

 

[Ocean Treasures Aquarium]

Is it more reddish or more purple?

 

[Eight]

I think he's more pink-red. I will need to double check when I get home tonight...

If it's too big a risk to the flames/christmas, I may end up keeping him in a different tank or selling him. Sigh.

 

[Ocean Treasures Aquarium]

He should be less aggressive then if he is that color. I have a had a pair for while that never fought with any other wrasses. I would always be cautious though just in case.

 

[kurplunk]

Jason-that Flame pair was awesome, huge male!

 

[Eight]

I know! Here are a few shots of him and his girl. They are both doing really well. The Christmas wrasse that I picked up though doesn't look like he will make it. He was looking fine, but was pacing continuously for two days... now he's lying on the bottom of the tank, breathing hard.

The Mystery wrasse is defininitely pink, so I hope he behaves.