Upgrading FOWLR- will lunar wrasse fit?

[hmakem]

Hi all... I have a 6 month old FOWLR. It's 90 gallons with about 110 lbs. LR and a 20 gallon sump containing the return pump and skimmer. Current tenants include a 5" Volitans, 12" Snowflake Eel, and a 6" Marine Betta--perhaps the boldest of the bunch, if you can believe that...

Being new to the hobby, I wasn't aware of the tank requirements of these fish. Many sources say that I've got enough room here, (barely,) but I'd like to be sure I'm offering the best environment I can. So I'm upgrading now, before things get too crowded.

If, after upgrading, I were to add a Purple Tang and Lunar Wrasse, do you think they would work with my current group? I'm particularly concerned about the clash between the Lion's mellow nature and the Wrasse's excitability.

And... if I were to add the Tang and Wrasse, how big of a tank do you think I would need? I want to put the order into the LFS by the beginning of the next week and thought it might help to know what size tank I will be ordering!

Thanks very much...

 

[Anonymous]

hmakem,

:welcome:

Well, it's a surety you don't have any of spare room now. From what I remember, the Lunar should have at least a 75 to be happy all by itself and is aggressive towards others. The Tang would (IMO) get pummeled by it. With what you have now I'd hazard a guess at a 150 or better to keep all, and even then the outcome uncertain.

Have you thought of setting up another tank, rather than trying to keep all those big (somewhat) aggressive fish together in one huge tank? Might be a better way to go.

 

[hmakem]

Thanks for the reply, Lawdawg...

You may be right about splitting things up. I have some insurance anyway. After I pick up the new tank, I'll be holding onto the 90. Here's hoping that between this and a newer, larger tank, I'll be able to cover myself, whether or not I add new fishes.

I have a big load already and am still figuring things out as I go. I appreciate your helping me to avoid mistakes...

 

[Anonymous]

The bioload is one issue, the other I'd worry about is outright warfare as these fish mature. If it was me, I'd keep the lion and the snowflake together in one tank, one shouldn't bother the other. But as far as the Betta+lunar+tang+lion+eel. Well, I wouldn't get too attached to any one fish :lol:

 

[Anonymous]

Lunares are incredibly aggressive, but they tend to unleash that aggression on smaller or similar shaped fish. The relative sizes are important, but I doubt you'll see much aggression towards the tang or lionfish from the wrasse. Start with a small one and watch it grow. Within a couple years it will be a nice show fish if you feed it often.

 

[hmakem]

More grist for the mill... Thanks, Matt!

From what I'd read about Lunares, my impression was just what you say. (That they probably wouldn't go after larger fishes or fishes w/ dissimilar shapes.) Later I had some doubts put in my head by people who said they were really belligerent, sometimes w/ slower fishes.

That's good advice, makes sense that getting a smaller one would be the way to go. It hadn't really occurred to me. They really are nice looking fish, and it sounds like they have a lot of personality. Do you have any sense how big of a tank I should shoot for w/ this stocking list?

Thanks again...

 

[rbursek]

I had a Lunar, just a nasty fish, it's nick name was the "bully", finally took him out. FWIW.
Bob

 

[Anonymous]

The oldtimer I used to work for had a far more colorful name for lunar wrasses. However, posting it here would probably violate the UA! :lol:

(Just add the appropriate word before ____head wrasse, he'd lost quite a few fish over the years to these things.)

 

[rbursek]

He will eat all your crabs too.
Bob

 

[hmakem]

Sounds like it would be difficult to pull off... Thanks all! I appreciate the help, since, as I said, I'm still working my way into this and want to screw up as minimally as possible.