bird wrasse and clean up crews

zensaiyan · 02-11-2005, 09:52 AM

Hi everyone, I had a quick question to ask. Does anyone have any experience, or any luck for that matter, with a Bird Wrasse and a clean up crew of crabs and snails? I would like to add one to my FOWLR tank, but I am skeptical about how my wrasse will act. I have had snails in there in the past, occasionally she would knock them off the rocks or glass, but that would be about it. Would she be aggressive towards a starfish or possibly a conch? Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

mps9506 · 02-11-2005, 10:56 AM

I think Brucey has one and it has eaten his entire cleanup crew.
They are invert eaters, so I doubt you will have much luck keeping snails and hermits with it.

Gina · 02-12-2005, 07:30 AM

Mike is right on! In post number 49 Brucey writes that his wrasse ate his shrimp, hermits and other crustaceans. He kept his fish though because he loves it.

zensaiyan · 02-12-2005, 02:51 PM

Thanks for the assistance. I guess crabs and snails are out of the question, but what about starfish? I have never had a starfish before, but always been interested. I hear that they are great scavengers. Is this a possible catastrophe waiting to happen? If it would be possible to add a star, which kind would be the best suited? My tank has been up and running for about a year and a half, 72 gallons, about 80 lbs. of live rock. Thanks.

Tarasco · 02-12-2005, 06:54 PM

I think that a starfish would be all right. Which one are you talking about, there are a large variety, and they all can perform different functions in the aquarium. And you should watch your bird wrasse, just in case it decides to start picking on the starfish. Go to the knowledgbase, and read the articles about starfish before you purchase one.

zensaiyan · 02-12-2005, 07:28 PM

i appriciate all of the help.

Brucey · 02-16-2005, 03:56 PM

Sorry guys. Missed this first time around. Yep I have a birdmouth and no clean up crew. Hee hee. Well not anymore. Crabs, snails (but not the big ones), cleaner shrimps, boxing shrimps, even a mantis shrimps all went to the big reef in the sky. But I have to say he is the most interesting and active fish in my tank and I would never have the heart to lose him. He never touhes corals and is peaceful with all the other fish. He's easy to feed and an absolute joy and an unusual looking fish. But if you want one, make sure your tank and do without the cleanup guys

zensaiyan · 02-16-2005, 04:27 PM

I love the color of yours! It is a very deep blue. Mine was originally a female bird wrasse, the brownish red and white color, but now she is turning into a he. I would say that s/he is about 75% changed. Not quite the blue coloring you see the males possess. S/he doesn't ever bother anyone. Since I originally posted my question, i tried adding a few snails to the tank, and so the wrasse hasn't even gave them a second glance. She swims right by them. I understand that this could change, but I think i might try to add a crab or two in the next couple of days, and see how she reacts. I figure i might as well try since mine has such a good disposition. Thanks for your input.

Brucey · 02-16-2005, 04:40 PM

Crabs are their favourites . . . . snails are their least fav. If I put a new SPS in my tank with a coral crab buried deep within it's branches . . . . the next day it's gone. Those long noses can get in anywhere. Mine has a hump developing on it's snout now, which i can't find reference too anywhere. I'll try and get some pics and post when i get my dig camera back. Good luck with the crabs . . . but don't ass too many in case they end up being an expensive meal. Let me know how you get on
Brucey

zensaiyan · 02-16-2005, 04:59 PM

I have saw what you are talking about. At local fish stores some of the bird wrasse have a growth on their noses, it kind of looks like a warty growth. I did a search on wetwebmedia.com and they said that this could be either a tumor, fatty deposit, or simply a growth due to excessive digging in rocks similar to a callouse (spelling?) something they get as they get older. They said there is not a lot to be done in this situation. You could increase the turnover rate if it is a fatty deposit to give him more excersise, or add vitamin supplements to his food.

02-11-2005, 09:52 AM	#1 (permalink)
zensaiyan Bryozoan Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: boston Posts: 48 View Gallery Karma Komment	bird wrasse and clean up crews Hi everyone, I had a quick question to ask. Does anyone have any experience, or any luck for that matter, with a Bird Wrasse and a clean up crew of crabs and snails? I would like to add one to my FOWLR tank, but I am skeptical about how my wrasse will act. I have had snails in there in the past, occasionally she would knock them off the rocks or glass, but that would be about it. Would she be aggressive towards a starfish or possibly a conch? Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

02-11-2005, 10:56 AM	#2 (permalink)
mps9506 They misunderestimated me Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Charlotte and Wilmington, NC Posts: 6,862 View Gallery Karma Komment	I think Brucey has one and it has eaten his entire cleanup crew. They are invert eaters, so I doubt you will have much luck keeping snails and hermits with it. __________________ Mike "The Bandwith Bandit" Help Build Reefpedia Premium Membership Available! Support Reef Sanctuary Sponsors

02-12-2005, 07:30 AM	#3 (permalink)
Gina Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,292 View Gallery Karma Komment	Mike is right on! In post number 49 Brucey writes that his wrasse ate his shrimp, hermits and other crustaceans. He kept his fish though because he loves it. __________________ Gina and Mark's 75 Visit Our Sponsors Gina's Cube Gina

02-12-2005, 06:54 PM	#5 (permalink)
Tarasco Plate Coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 724 View Gallery Karma Komment	I think that a starfish would be all right. Which one are you talking about, there are a large variety, and they all can perform different functions in the aquarium. And you should watch your bird wrasse, just in case it decides to start picking on the starfish. Go to the knowledgbase, and read the articles about starfish before you purchase one. __________________ Mike "I saw what the governor makes. That's like four hands of blackjack." -- Charles Barkley on why he wasn't seriously considering becoming the Governor of Alabama

02-16-2005, 04:40 PM	#9 (permalink)
Brucey Reef Lobster Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Reading, England Posts: 1,292 View Gallery Karma Komment	Crabs are their favourites . . . . snails are their least fav. If I put a new SPS in my tank with a coral crab buried deep within it's branches . . . . the next day it's gone. Those long noses can get in anywhere. Mine has a hump developing on it's snout now, which i can't find reference too anywhere. I'll try and get some pics and post when i get my dig camera back. Good luck with the crabs . . . but don't ass too many in case they end up being an expensive meal. Let me know how you get on Brucey __________________ 160UK Gallon. (192US Gallon). 400Lbs LR. Aquamedic Turboflotor 5000 Shorty skimmer. Arcadia 3Series pendant (3x250W 14,000'K MH & 2x58W 60" actinic) (DIY cooling fan). Tunze 7095 Multicontroller & 2xTunze 6100 Streams. Redsea 100 Aquazone Plus ozonizer and redox computer. Aquamedic Ocean Runner 6500 return. TMC Vectron 30W UV sterilizer. Aquamedic Aquaniveau auto top up system through Deltec 500 kalk stirrer. PurityOnTap RO/DI. Deltec FR509 (ROWAPhos). Aquamedic PH computer controlling KNOP HD Calcium Reactor. Setup Nov 2002 See my tank here http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...&threadid=4486

02-12-2005, 02:51 PM	#4 (permalink)
zensaiyan Bryozoan Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: boston Posts: 48 View Gallery Karma Komment	Thanks for the assistance. I guess crabs and snails are out of the question, but what about starfish? I have never had a starfish before, but always been interested. I hear that they are great scavengers. Is this a possible catastrophe waiting to happen? If it would be possible to add a star, which kind would be the best suited? My tank has been up and running for about a year and a half, 72 gallons, about 80 lbs. of live rock. Thanks.

02-12-2005, 07:28 PM	#6 (permalink)
zensaiyan Bryozoan Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: boston Posts: 48 View Gallery Karma Komment	i appriciate all of the help.

02-16-2005, 04:27 PM	#8 (permalink)
zensaiyan Bryozoan Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: boston Posts: 48 View Gallery Karma Komment	I love the color of yours! It is a very deep blue. Mine was originally a female bird wrasse, the brownish red and white color, but now she is turning into a he. I would say that s/he is about 75% changed. Not quite the blue coloring you see the males possess. S/he doesn't ever bother anyone. Since I originally posted my question, i tried adding a few snails to the tank, and so the wrasse hasn't even gave them a second glance. She swims right by them. I understand that this could change, but I think i might try to add a crab or two in the next couple of days, and see how she reacts. I figure i might as well try since mine has such a good disposition. Thanks for your input.

02-16-2005, 04:59 PM	#10 (permalink)
zensaiyan Bryozoan Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: boston Posts: 48 View Gallery Karma Komment	I have saw what you are talking about. At local fish stores some of the bird wrasse have a growth on their noses, it kind of looks like a warty growth. I did a search on wetwebmedia.com and they said that this could be either a tumor, fatty deposit, or simply a growth due to excessive digging in rocks similar to a callouse (spelling?) something they get as they get older. They said there is not a lot to be done in this situation. You could increase the turnover rate if it is a fatty deposit to give him more excersise, or add vitamin supplements to his food.

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