Is he really reef/coral safe?

[Pinkheine]

Okay I know this guy isn't 'reef' safe in the fact that I have seen him eat a few of my hermits. But just yesterday I noticed a couple of my zoas have been a tasty treat for someone, by their appearance anyways. I haven't witnessed anyone munching. He will swim up to them put his lil' snout by them and then swim off. IDK if I should bust out the fish trap or not.. suggestions...

Here is the fish in question.... (came up with Grayhead Wrasses as an ID)

Other tank inhabitants are...
Red Stripe Anthias
Sargassum
Velvet Multi Color Wrasses
Six Line Wrasse
Margin Wrasse
Tiger Jawfish
5 Chromis
BloodShrimp
4 Cleaner Shrimp
Pistol Shrimp
2 Emerald Crabs
Hermits (the few that are left)
and various Snails.
(We rehomed our tangs they were causing a ruckuss)

 

[reefman]

your shrimps r probably next.

 

[Pinkheine]

your shrimps r probably next.

:irked: Not if I have anything to do with it!!!

 

[Awibrandy]

Sorry Sybil! I looked in both Scott W. Michael's books, but couldn't find it.
Deanos should be chiming in soon enough though.

 

[Pinkheine]

Sorry Sybil! I looked in both Scott W. Michael's books, but couldn't find it.
Deanos should be chiming in soon enough though.

No worries hon. I am pretty sure this is him... Halichoeres purpurescens from what I could find. I know he has to come out. I just really liked him and went on word of someone I trust that he would do well in my tank, as he has one supposidly. *SLaps self in head*

I wasn't so worried about the invert eating honestly because I keep them all pretty well fed, and we've learned to go and a fish by fish basis for certain things over the years (some are worse than others and some totally out of their 'norm' of behavior) but from the size of this guys belly daily it is clear he is helping himself to everything. :irked:

 

[lfsmarineguy]

Looks a lot like a Richmondi wrasse but can't be 100%. With some of the wrasse species "reef safe" is a term that is in direct correlation to "how attached are you to your crustaceans?". In captivity fish are sometimes likely to pick at anything and everything since a lot of it is new and never seen before. They investigate to see what's food and what isn't. The only wrasses I know to feed directly on coral is parrots. I seriously doubt that this wrasse is eating zoas though.

 

[Pinkheine]

There isn't a lot of damage to the zoas, just one or two heads seem to have been picked at or bitten. I am keeping an eye on them all to see if it continues. I know he is the culprit for the missing CUC though. I have seen that in action.

 

[Awibrandy]

No worries hon. I am pretty sure this is him... Halichoeres purpurescens from what I could find. I know he has to come out. I just really liked him and went on word of someone I trust that he would do well in my tank, as he has one supposidly. *SLaps self in head*

I wasn't so worried about the invert eating honestly because I keep them all pretty well fed, and we've learned to go and a fish by fish basis for certain things over the years (some are worse than others and some totally out of their 'norm' of behavior) but from the size of this guys belly daily it is clear he is helping himself to everything. :irked:

He certainly does resemble the Halichoeres purpurescens! The fact that your friend's fish behaves in his tank is probably very true. I've had evil ones that are absolute wonderfully behave in others tank. Take for instance the 3 wrasse I had to remove from my reef not that long ago.lol
He may very well be eating your crabs & snails. So what is more desireable to you in your reef. I vote for the fishie.lol He is beautiful!!

 

[Pinkheine]

I think he is going to stay. I spoke to Craig tonight about my concerns and we both think it is best to wait it out. He really is getting along with everyone else. We added a few different snails this past weekend and he hasn't paid them any mind at all. So if this behavior keeps up then in the tank he stays. I honestly am more concerned with the corals and fish on fish behavior. Also my shrimp. If one of those goes missing... then I will not be so happy. May it happen? Possibly... at the moment we'll just see what happens, call me crazy but he really is a cool fish.

 

[Awibrandy]

Nah, your not crazy! We love certain fish no matter what. Hey I just got a Canary/Yellow wrasse known to eat feather dusters that I am hoping will ignore my fd & coco worms. So you see we are all crazy.

 

[inked]

I still need your fish trap sybil, my xmas wrasse is out of here ate every snail and is now picking on my clowns! I tried the coke bottle trap but i caught everyone else but the wrasse lol!

 

[mandown123]

how big is that wrasse? I agree that the shrimp may be at risk, but you never know as long as you are keeping well fed. About the zoas, i think it is not unlikely he nipped at them out of curiousity, but not really a big deal as long as he doesnt think theyre tasty, zoos are resiliant they will heal/grow back.

someone once told me "reef safe" just means he wont eat something you care too much about lol

i have a yellow wrasse as well as a friend, and he keeps 4 large tube worms with no issues.

 

[Pinkheine]

I still need your fish trap sybil, my xmas wrasse is out of here ate every snail and is now picking on my clowns! I tried the coke bottle trap but i caught everyone else but the wrasse lol!

Craig and I will drop by this weekend, if all else fails you two can rig up a mini harpoon :tongue1: LMK if tomorrow night is good or you want to wait for Sat. afternoon. (have to take lil' man to a b-day party at 11)




As for how big this guy is...maybe 4" or a bit more... he can most certainly eat a shrimp if he wanted to.

 

[dabgood21]

whatever it is, just by looking at its face it reminds me of a few different types of wrasses and noe of them are reef safe. I'd do whatever I could to get that sucker out of there, but I love my hermits