Can a Banana wrasse live with an Aussie lunar wrasse?

[my2rotties]

Hi Anthony. I bought him on Canreef for $20!!! He is an awesome and stunning fish. He was sold as a solar wrasse so I didn't get what I expected but I love him none the less. I thought he was the fish I want to get now as an addition. I have never seen one anywhere to date...

If you could catch him I would almost challenge to try to get him out without destroying my tank, and I think your chances still would be slim to none.

Originally Posted by 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.

[justinl]

Those who keep multiple species of wrasses in a single tank do so carefully. Many wrasses will coexist just fine. Fairy and flasher wrasses mostly. Genus halichoeres is especially peaceful. just keep in mind that coexisting wrasses is complicated and always requires close research; even within genera, some species will kill/beat each other (just look at Leah's situation). the reef fish section on RC is wonderful since there's a few reef-safe wrasse FANATICS over there. specific questions regarding the peaceful wrasses will be answered most correctly there. Thalassoma do not fall into this category; like i said, they're the big beaters of family Labridae.

Leah, pm sent

[my2rotties]

Thanks so much for the info. I am still trying to get a positive ID on the new wrasse. The seller said it was an Aussie rainbow wrasse but the picture he sent is blurry (I know why), and I cannot see it very well. It is aqua marine blue and green in color. It does have stripes on its head, but I cannot tell if they are purple or not at this time. If they are I believe the fish is a Thalassoma lunare. SO from what research tells me they are from the same family.

Here are two pictures that I received for ID purposes... They are hard to see due to movement and lighting.

Originally Posted by justinl

Those who keep multiple species of wrasses in a single tank do so carefully. Many wrasses will coexist just fine. Fairy and flasher wrasses mostly. Genus halichoeres is especially peaceful. just keep in mind that coexisting wrasses is complicated and always requires close research; even within genera, some species will kill/beat each other (just look at Leah's situation). the reef fish section on RC is wonderful since there's a few reef-safe wrasse FANATICS over there. specific questions regarding the peaceful wrasses will be answered most correctly there. Thalassoma do not fall into this category; like i said, they're the big beaters of family Labridae.

Leah, pm sent

[justinl]

I think i see a black spot on the caudal peduncle (a young T. lunare indicator), but it might be shadow. I guess there's no chance of a clear picture of the face? Flash helps even if it washes out color... the shape/arrangement of facial lines are good for IDing wrasses. It's definitely genus Thalassoma, no question there; I can't say whether it is or is not T. lunare from those pics.

[my2rotties]

Are you a marine biologist by any chance? You blow me away with your knowledge.

I have done a search and googled to see if Thalassoma can be housed together. I found info that two males of one species can be housed together but nothing about two sub species (I think that is right). I am waiting to hear from the seller and see if he can try to get a better picture... I know how tough it is since my guy is a streak that very seldom stops for a moment.

Originally Posted by justinl

I think i see a black spot on the caudal peduncle (a young T. lunare indicator), but it might be shadow. I guess there's no chance of a clear picture of the face? Flash helps even if it washes out color... the shape/arrangement of facial lines are good for IDing wrasses. It's definitely genus Thalassoma, no question there; I can't say whether it is or is not T. lunare from those pics.

[fishoholic]

Originally Posted by 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.

Sorry, I've got dibs BTW if the two don't get along (and you can catch him) you know you're banana man has a good home with me.

[my2rotties]

Hahaa, I hope they work it out alright. I love the banana man, even though he can be a little nippy towards things that pop out at him... I had no idea how hard they are to come across...you have first dibs but i laugh at thinking of getting him out. He is the fastest fish on my reef by a long shot.

Originally Posted by fishoholic

Sorry, I've got dibs BTW if the two don't get along (and you can catch him) you know you're banana man has a good home with me.

[i have crabs]

i know lunars can get real nasty when older, and i would say no chance of them geting along for long term, to similar and aggressive

[my2rotties]

I just heard from the seller. This fish is not a lunar or solar wrasse. He has blue stripes under his eyes, and has been peaceful and very reef safe in his reef system. He mentioned he has never seen a picture online of this fish and only two pictures in two different books. I didn't ask for another picture since I would cringe if someone asked me for a close up of the banana man. It is not possible...

[Ya Dude]

i had both in my tank and they were fine together.A 230gal.The one in the pic seems to have yellowy head markings opposed to all pink like a Lunar