Last updated on April 19th, 2023 at 05:29 am
When it comes to the types of Wrasses available for reef-safe tanks, there is a wide variety to choose from. From colorful, small species like the Firefish Wrasse to large, hardy species such as the Yellowtail Coris Wrasse, there is something for everyone!
Reef tanks are a popular choice for many aquarium enthusiasts, as they offer a stunning display of vibrant colors and interesting marine creatures. One type of fish that can provide a great addition to your reef-safe tank is a wrasse fish.
When it comes to creating a beautiful reef-safe tank, it’s important to choose the right types of wrasses.
Below, we’ll take a look at 12 different and common types of wrasses that are perfect for your reef tank. From Scott’s Fairy Wrasse to McCosker’s Flasher Wrasse, you’re sure to find the perfect wrasse to create a stunning display in your tank.
Types of Wrasses
Flame fish (Cirrhilabrus jordani)
The Flame Fish, also known as the Jordan’s Fairy Wrasse, is one of the most stunning wrasse species for a reef tank. They are characterized by their striking colors that range from deep purple to vibrant yellow and orange.
They reach an average length of 2-3 inches and can live up to 7 years in a captive environment. Flame fish are generally peaceful and friendly with their tankmates, making them a great addition to any reef tank.
They need plenty of hiding spots and open areas to swim freely, so be sure to provide them with plenty of rocks and coral decorations. This species is not considered reef-safe, but they do not pose much of a threat to sessile invertebrates such as corals and anemones. They are considered semi-aggressive and should not be housed with other wrasse species.
These fish thrive on a diet of live brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, marine plankton, and other frozen foods. Be sure to feed your Flame Fish several times a day to keep them healthy and active.
Overall, the Flame Fish is an eye-catching and hardy species that is well-suited for beginner aquarists looking for a colorful wrasse for their tank.
McCosker’s Flasher (Paracheilinus mccoskeri)
McCosker’s Flasher is a hardy, colorful fish that is a great addition to reef tanks. This wrasse has a vibrant orange and yellow body, with blue and white stripes along its face. The male of this species will also have an elongated caudal fin that can reach up to 6 inches in length.
This wrasse will require plenty of live rock and hiding places to feel secure. They are peaceful fish and do well with other fish of similar size. They may act territorially towards other wrasses, so it is best to keep one individual of this species per tank.
McCosker’s Flasher should be fed a variety of meaty foods such as brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and various types of frozen and freeze-dried foods. It is important to feed this fish several times a day in order to maintain optimal health.
This wrasse makes a great addition to any reef tank as they are reef-safe, colorful, and low maintenance. With proper care and diet, McCosker’s Flasher can provide years of enjoyment in your tank.
Yellow Coris (Halichoeres chrysus)
The Yellow Coris (Halichoeres chrysus) is a stunning wrasse with a bright yellow body and deep blue accents. This hardy fish is an ideal choice for reef-safe tanks, as it does not harm invertebrates or other fish.
The Yellow Coris is typically found in tropical and subtropical waters of the Indo-Pacific Ocean. It prefers shallow reefs, where it will actively forage for food. In the home aquarium, these fish should be fed a variety of live, frozen, and prepared foods.
The Yellow Coris grows to about 5-6 inches in length and can be kept in aquariums as small as 30 gallons. When first introduced to the tank, it may need some time to adjust to its new environment, so it’s important to provide plenty of hiding places.
Once acclimated, the Yellow Coris is a peaceful and active fish that can get along with a wide variety of tankmates. It may become aggressive towards other wrasses, so it’s best to keep only one specimen in the aquarium.
This fish requires well-oxygenated water with a pH range of 8.1-8.4 and a temperature range of 73-80 degrees Fahrenheit. With proper care, the Yellow Coris can thrive for years in the home aquarium.
Red-Line (Halichoeres biocellatus)
The Red-Line wrasse, also known as the Bi-Color Wrasse, is a member of the Halichoeres family and is native to the Indian and Pacific oceans. Its distinctive feature is its yellow head with a red stripe running from its eye to its tail. This species of wrasse can reach up to 6 inches in length and has a lifespan of 8-10 years.
The Red-Line wrasse is relatively peaceful but can become territorial when kept in a tank with other wrasses. They are reef safe and will not harm any corals or invertebrates. However, they may eat small shrimp, snails, and crabs, so it’s best to keep them away from those types of tank mates.
The Red-Line wrasse does best in tanks with plenty of live rock for hiding and foraging, as well as plenty of open swimming space. It should be fed a variety of meaty foods such as brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, chopped seafood, and frozen fish. This species is known to jump, so a secure lid is recommended.
Overall, the Red-Line wrasse is an excellent addition to reef tanks with plenty of live rock and plenty of open swimming space. It is relatively easy to care for and its bright colors will add beauty to your tank.
Small Tail Pencil (Pseudojuloides cerasinus)
Small Tail Pencils are a peaceful and timid species of wrasse that are native to the Indo-Pacific region. They are a small species and only reach up to around 4 inches in length. Small Tail Pencils have a dark brown to black body with an orange or yellowish stripe running the length of their bodies. The fins are translucent and have an attractive red-orange band on the tips. They have an elongated, slender body shape that is unique amongst wrasses.
Small Tail Pencils are considered reef-safe and prefer a tank with plenty of live rock for hiding places and perching spots. They are active swimmers and will be seen actively foraging around the tank. This species is best kept in groups as they can become territorial towards other members of their own species if they don’t feel they have enough space. They are also considered safe to keep with other peaceful fish, however, they may become aggressive toward larger fish if they feel threatened.
Small Tail Pencils do best when provided with a diet of meaty foods such as frozen brine shrimp and mysis shrimp, as well as high-quality flake and pellet foods. It is important to provide them with a variety of foods to ensure they get all the nutrients they need for optimal health. They should also be provided with a sandy substrate to search for food and places to rest. Regular water changes should be done to keep the tank parameters stable.
Overall, Small Tail Pencils make a great addition to any reef tank as they are peaceful and active fish that add color and life to the tank. As long as you provide them with a large enough tank with plenty of hiding spots and a varied diet, you should have no issues with keeping this species in your aquarium.
Blue Striped Tamarin (Anampses femininus)
The Blue Striped Tamarin (Anampses femininus) is an attractive fish that’s a great addition to any reef tank. It’s an active fish with a bright blue stripe running along its body and a pair of yellow spots near the tail. This species grows to about three inches in length and does best in a tank with plenty of swimming space and hiding places.
In the wild, the Blue Striped Tamarin feeds on small crustaceans and worms, but in captivity, it will eat most prepared foods. Make sure to provide plenty of variety in its diet, such as finely chopped seafood and live or frozen foods. You should also provide plenty of supplements with this species, such as frozen plankton, spirulina, and other small invertebrates.
The Blue Striped Tamarin is fairly peaceful and can be kept in small groups or as a single specimen. It is also very easy to care for, requiring only occasional water changes and occasional feedings. This species is considered reef-safe, so you can feel confident that it won’t harm your delicate invertebrates.
Overall, the Blue Striped Tamarin is an attractive and hardy addition to any reef tank. Its bright color and peaceful nature make it an ideal choice for aquarists of all skill levels.
Scott’s Fairy (Cirrhilabrus scottorum)
Scott’s Fairy, or Cirrhilabrus scottorum, is a small, brightly colored fish with a deep-bodied profile and long dorsal fin. It is a peaceful species that does well in both pairs and larger groups but should not be kept with overly aggressive tank mates. This wrasse can be identified by its blue body and fins, along with orange highlights on its head and tail. It prefers shallow reefs, so a 30-gallon tank with plenty of live rock is ideal.
When it comes to diet, Scott’s Fairy enjoys a variety of frozen, fresh, and prepared foods, such as brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and other meaty foods. They are also known to pick at algae on rocks and sift through the substrate in search of small invertebrates. If you’re looking for a colorful, peaceful addition to your reef tank, then Scott’s Fairy may be the perfect wrasse for you!
Yellow Banded Possum (Wetmorella nigropinnata)
The Yellow Banded Possum is an excellent fish for reef tanks. This wrasse has a long, thin body with yellow bands across its body. It usually lives in pairs and grows to about 5 inches in length. They feed on plankton and small invertebrates and do not need to be fed often.
This wrasse is not aggressive and will not bother other tank inhabitants. It is a good addition to reef tanks because it does not have any specific tank requirements, but does require a mature tank with plenty of hiding places for the fish to hide when scared.
Because this wrasse is relatively peaceful and doesn’t require any special feeding habits, it is an excellent choice for a reef tank inhabitant. They should be kept in groups of three or more, but can also live happily alone. The Yellow Banded Possum is also relatively easy to care for, so it makes an ideal choice for beginners or those who are new to keeping wrasses.
Filamented Flasher (Paracheilinus filamentosus)
The Filamented Flasher is a beautiful species of wrasse that originates from the Western Indian Ocean. Its vibrant colors and active personality make it an ideal fish for reef tanks. The Filamented Flasher has a metallic-blue body with yellow highlights, red markings around its eyes, and long white filaments extending from its caudal fin. It grows up to 6 inches in size and is considered one of the hardiest wrasse species in the hobby.
The Filamented Flasher is a peaceful species that should be kept in a tank of at least 50 gallons. It will happily swim in the open water and is an active swimmer that loves to play in the rockwork. The Filamented Flasher is semi-aggressive towards conspecifics and will not do well with other wrasse species. As such, it is best to keep only one specimen per tank.
When it comes to diet, the Filamented Flasher should be offered a variety of meaty foods such as frozen mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, chopped clams, krill, and other small seafoods. It will also eat flake food and pellet food, but it should be given a variety of foods to ensure it gets the nutrients it needs to stay healthy.
Overall, the Filamented Flasher is an excellent choice for reef tanks and its active personality and vibrant colors will bring life and activity to any tank. As long as you provide it with the proper environment and diet, it will do well in your tank and provide you with many years of enjoyment.
Red-Headed Solon Fairy (Cirrhilabrus solorensis)
The Red-Headed Solon Fairy is a colorful, reef-safe wrasse that makes an excellent addition to any reef aquarium. These wrasses have bright yellow bodies with red markings on their heads and fins. They are relatively peaceful and do not need to be kept in a large group, making them ideal for those who don’t have the space or budget for a large tank.
These fish have a maximum size of about 3 inches and prefer tanks with plenty of live rock for hiding. They are relatively hardy but can be shy when first introduced to the tank. As long as you provide plenty of hiding places, they will become more comfortable over time. Red-Headed Solon Fairies are carnivores and should be fed a variety of meaty foods such as frozen brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and vitamin-enriched flakes or pellets.
Carpenter’s (Paracheilinus carpenteri)
The Carpenter’s (Paracheilinus carpenteri) is a small and colorful wrasse that can reach up to three inches in length. It is known for its bright yellow body with a thin white stripe along its midline, and for its red head and white caudal fin. It is native to the Indo-Pacific ocean, where it can be found in shallow coral reefs.
The Carpenter’s wrasse is an excellent addition to reef tanks. Its vibrant coloration is a welcome sight and its active swimming behavior can provide hours of entertainment. It also makes a good addition to community tanks, as it is generally peaceful towards other fish, as long as they are not overly aggressive. This wrasse is easy to care for, but like all wrasses, it needs plenty of space to swim around and hide in when it gets stressed out.
It should be noted that the Carpenter’s wrasse is not very hardy and can be prone to illness if water conditions are not kept pristine. The water parameters should be tested regularly and any fluctuations should be corrected quickly. In addition, the Carpenter’s wrasse should not be kept with any fish that may nip at it or bully it due to its small size.
Melanurus (Halichoeres melanurus)
The Melanurus is a popular wrasse for aquariums, due to its beautiful coloration and easy care requirements. The base of the Melanurus is a deep olive green color with a yellowish-orange stripe running along the sides of its body.
As this wrasse matures, its head becomes more yellow in color, and its tail fades to a yellow-orange. The Melanurus is a peaceful fish that can reach up to 7 inches in length and is considered reef safe when well-fed.
In terms of tank conditions, the Melanurus requires a pH of 8.1 – 8.4, a temperature of 72 – 78 degrees Fahrenheit, and a specific gravity of 1.020 – 1.025. This wrasse does well in tanks of at least 30 gallons with plenty of rocks and hiding places. It should be noted that when housing the Melanurus with other wrasses or fish, it should be the last one added to the tank as it may become territorial with other wrasses.
When it comes to diet, Melanurus is an omnivore and prefers to eat frozen foods like brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and chopped-up table shrimp. This wrasse should be fed several times a day to keep them healthy and happy.
Overall, the Melanurus is an excellent choice for beginner aquarists looking for an easy-to-care-for wrasse that will bring some color and life to their tank. With proper tank conditions and frequent feedings, this wrasse can live up to 10 years or more in the home aquarium.