Anyone keeping a Scott's and Solar Fairy Wrasse together?

[Anonymous]

Just curious how large the tank is. Did you add them together? Same size?

I just picked up a gorgeous little 2" C. solarensis, which is chilling in my 20 g until I move him into a 300 g tank. Do you think I can add a C. scottorum later if it's a bit larger?

 

[Len]

Hehe, I've tried many Cirrhilabrus combos and this is one of them (in my 120g). But in my tank, the Scott was originally in there when I added the Solarensis. It didn't work out as the Scott was very territorial and would chase the smaller wrasse. If you did it in reverse order, I doubt the Solarensis will pick on the Scott's, but I fear the opposite will occur once the Scott is acclimated and ready to establish territory.

 

[Anonymous]

Hmm, okay. Any other more common (re: not over $100) fairies I could keep with it? How about an exquisite?

 

[Chooch]

My thought is that two fairy wrasses, regardless of species, would likely co-exist in a 300 gal tank, especially since you're adding the smaller specimen first. I have maintained two different species of fairy wrasses together successfully in the past . I currently maintain a Halichoeres melanurus with a C. solorensis and aside from an occassional chase by the Halichoeres, there is no problem. IME H. melanurus are more aggressive than C. scottorum so I think your combo should work. Just make sure the tank is well covered as fairy wrasses are good jumpers. I remember reading some time back in one of Scott Michael's articles that he had a friend who successfully maintained 7 or more ( I don't remember the exact number) male fairy wrasses in a 180 gal tank. Good luck.

 

[Anonymous]

I've kept two together before as well--but I worry about these two species together specifically. C. scottorum is one of the more "aggressive" of the Cirrhilabrus, yeah?

Just fwiw, this tank isn't exactly standard 300 g. It's got a 4' x 3' footprint (about a 150 footprint) but is 4' tall.

 

[Anonymous]

I was thinking of adding a H. iridis later too, so that's good to know. And maybe a mystery wrasse.

It's my boss' tank. He hates me. He just wants clownfish and royal grammas and I keep adding all these fish he's never seen before