Wrasse ID please

Myka · #1 12-18-2011, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apexifd

LFS doesn't know what this is. but, I bought it anyway... LOL.. [...] This is what i think it is so far: Stethojulis bandanensis [...] Red shoulder wrasse

You're nuts to buy a Wrasse that you don't know the ID on! Many wrasses grow to 1-2 feet long, and there are just as many that aren't reef-safe either. You got lucky with this one though because it definitely is a Red Shoulder Wrasse and doesn't get too big. He could cause you some grief in your reef though. However, the down side of that is that Wrasses of the Stethojulis genus are rarely imported because as a general rule they do not survive in captivity. I'm not sure what the issue is with this genus, not sure anyone really does. Is yours eating at least?

Mandosh · #2 12-18-2011, 04:57 PM

Quote from Bob Fenner:

"Though Stethojulis are planktivorous and don’t get too large (most are about six inches long maximum) they do have one shortcoming: they rarely live for any time in captivity. They're just too active/spastic, requiring large, uncrowded settings. They should only be tried in HUGE, well-established reef systems."

apexifd · #3 12-18-2011, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myka

You're nuts to buy a Wrasse that you don't know the ID on!
Is yours eating at least?

I know I know... but it was so pretty and unique. again.. I should have known better.

LFS didn't order this fish, but, they were shipped.. Store tried to id it the best they can. It was identified as Halichoeres wrasse.

anway... this fish should be somewhat reef safe, and it will eating from day 1 in the store.

I hope this fish will live for awhile.

Myka · #4 12-18-2011, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apexifd

I hope this fish will live for awhile.

I hope it live for years!

SeaHorse_Fanatic · #5 12-18-2011, 06:02 PM

I saw the same fish and it looks so much like a parrotfish that I didn't want to risk bringing home a potentially non-reef-safe fish. Beautiful fish though. Hope it does well for you.

apexifd · #6 12-18-2011, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myka

I hope it live for years!

Let's certainly hope so, or it's another reason to get a big system.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeaHorse_Fanatic

I saw the same fish and it looks so much like a parrotfish that I didn't want to risk bringing home a potentially non-reef-safe fish. Beautiful fish though. Hope it does well for you.

You know, there's one more left in the store.

tang daddy · #7 12-20-2011, 06:19 PM

Nice wrasse, saw this fish in person and it was very vibrant in colour... Also very active with the swimming.