By Scott W. Michael
In the early days of the reef-keeping hobby, relatively few aquarists knew which species of fish could be successfully kept with corals and other invertebrates. Many unfortunate reef keepers learned quickly which fishes would decimate coral or crustacean communities and which would not.
Not only was invertebrate predation a problem, there were also fishes that were more prone to contracting diseases that were difficult to treat in a mixed invertebrate-fish tank. As more aquarists gained experience with fishes in the reef aquarium, more information began appearing in magazine articles, books, and on the internet. This much needed data helped hobbyists make more informed decisions when selecting fishes for their reef tanks.
Aquarists also began sharing their observations about those fishes that provided a valuable function in the reef tank. Some of these "utility fishes" helped get rid of unwanted algae or facilitated the control of coral and clam parasites. Others functioned to keep soft substrates agitated, preventing them from packing.
With over 600 species, the family Labridae is the third largest family represented on coral reefs. The wrasses are some of the most brightly colored fishes in the sea, with certain species exhibiting almost garish chromatic attire. The family is very diverse, with members that vary greatly in size (from a couple inches to 7 feet in length), food habits, and life styles. It should not be surprising that these fishes are very popular with aquarists. However, when it comes to keeping them in a reef aquarium, they also vary in their suitability. In this article, we will look at four genera of wrasses that I believe are best-suited for the reef tank.
Part 1
Introduction |
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Part 2
Fairy Wrasses
(genus Cirrhilabrus) |
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Part 3
Flasher Wrasses
(genus Paracheilinus) |
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Part 4
Pinkstreaked Wrasse
(genus Pseudocheilinops) |
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Part 5
Lined Wrasses
(genus Pseudocheilinus) |
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Part 6
Possum Wrasses
(genus Wetmorella) |
Scott Michael
Scott W. Michael is an internationally-recognized writer, underwater photographer, and marine biology researcher specializing in reef fishes, and was the Banquet Speaker at our 2007 and 2008 Coral Conference and Frag Swap. He is a regular contributor to Aquarium Fish Magazine, Freshwater and Marine Aquarium Magazine, SeaScope, and is the author of
Reef Fishes Vol 1,
Vol 2, and
Vol 3, Vol 4, and Vol 5.,
A Pocket Expert Guide Marine Fishes,
A Pocket Expert Guide to Reef Aquarium Fishes, 101 Best Saltwater Fishes: How to Choose and Keep Hardy, Brilliant, Fascinating Species That Will Thrive in Your Home Aquarium, Reef Sharks & Rays of the World, and Aquarium Sharks & Rays. Having studied marine biology at the University of Nebraska, Scott has served as a scientific consultant for National Geographic Explorer, the Discovery Channel, and French educational television.
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