Can a Banana wrasse live with an Aussie lunar wrasse?

[my2rotties]

I have the opportunity to get the beautiful Aussie lunar wrasse I have been wanting since I got into this hobby. I already have a beautiful banana wrasse and he is a pretty good boy. I have been looking for info on these two species being housed together, since they have a lot of similarities in body shape and type.

I already know both these species are not totally reef safe, but I am okay with that. Has anyone kept these two types of fish together? I know many people have multiple wrasses but have never seen these two together yet.

Any help would be appreciated, since I have been wanting this fish for a long time now (since the 44g but knew it would not fit in there).

[justinl]

if it's going in the 260g, it would probably be okay. probably. the lunare mght kill or beat on the banana wrasse (which i assume you mean Halichoeres chrysus). In your case, I would probably go for it. just be prepared to intervene and make a decision on which one needs to get the boot. know in advance what the best way to catch a wrasse in your tank is.

[my2rotties]

My wrasse is a male Thalassoma lutescens he is about 6-7" long. The new wrasse is about 4" long but I do not know the sex of it, or know if you can tell. The Banana wrasse can be sexed by the blue colouration instead of yellow on the females. I do have a fish trap and the Banana wrasse is very curious and inquisitive to anything new I put into the tank or things I move around.

The Banana wrasse I have is very active in swimming and never stops for anything. To have the Lunar wrasse would add more colour and activity to my community. They are wonderful fish and so much fun to watch. They remind me of dolphins in their movement and playful nature.

Thanks for the help, I just want to make sure I don't make a mistake in getting the new fish in a couple of weeks when the seller brings him to Calgary for me.

Originally Posted by justinl

if it's going in the 260g, it would probably be okay. probably. the lunare mght kill or beat on the banana wrasse (which i assume you mean Halichoeres chrysus). In your case, I would probably go for it. just be prepared to intervene and make a decision on which one needs to get the boot. know in advance what the best way to catch a wrasse in your tank is.

[justinl]

ohhhh, okay now that's a different story. two of the same genus and thalassoma are generally the large aggressive members of family labridae... T. luescens and T. lunare are no exceptions. I would be very hesitant to add two thalassoma wrasses in a tank less than 300g. I would imagine it would be even worse between these two because they are similarly coloured species as well. Since the lunare has been your dream fish since the start... maybe it's time to get rid of the T. lutescens? your call in the end, but I think you're going to have to sacrafice one; can't have both, not in the same tank.

btw, got pics? i love thalassoma wrasses even if I don't have the tank to house them. they are gorgeous fish indeed.

[Leah]

I have a mystery wrasse and a red fairy wrasse in my 72. It is interesting. Definite bad
idea in my case the mystery is bossy towards the fairy, who was in first. But she is very
fast and is smaller so can hide quickly. Whenever I hear water sloshing I know exactly
whats up. This is of course worse at feeding time but it is on going. And I would love to
get one or the other out. Also had a four line and it was a holy terror to anyone and
everything I tried adding. Needless to say I no longer own the fourline. My experience
with wrasse's say's no more, no how, no matter what. I do love my red fairy though.
Anyone want a mystery wrasse free just need to catch him.LOL

[my2rotties]

All I have is an iPhone and I need something really fast to get this guy without a blurry picture, but here's what I have and it's the best I can do.





I have some things to think about now, thanks for the info...

[Leah]

Wow, Beautiful fish!

[my2rotties]

A good canreef friend of mine exclusively keeps wrasses. I think he has 30 or more of them, and they are all fine together. Perhaps its just a crap shoot, but my friend has lots of corals, rocks and hiding spots for all of his fish. Its an amazing system to behold. I do have nooks, crannys, caves and tunnels or all shapes and sizes in the display. My banana man does chase fish when they first come home, but only for a day or two. When he came home my sohal chased him to no end, and now they are fine with each other.

At least I have some time to think about it and consider the options. The fish would not be delivered until the end of the month.

[my2rotties]

I like him if he would only stay still for a second for pictures. He turns from green to blue on his body. I guess today he decided to go green for awhile. Really awesome fish, very busy and in my face.

Originally Posted by Leah

Wow, Beautiful fish!

[fooser]

Wow Diana, I almost want to steal that wrasse from you.. if it was like 7" long haha. Very nice fish. I am going to see if anyone in town can get me a smaller one of those now.