Wrasse Genera
The family Labridae can be subdivided into 9 subgroups and up to 82 different genera. Many but not all of the genera can be of interest to the aquarist. Some genera are not commonly referred to as wrasse but are still part of the Labridae family. One example are fish from the genera Bodianus, which are commonly referred to as hogfish. Tuskfish of the genus Choerodon are also in the wrasse family.
I cannot hope to describe all of the 82 genera but will attempt to give information about those genera I have an interest in and also describe my experiences of keeping particular fish. Obviously the genera I am interested in are those that would be described as 'reef safe'. I am not absolutely sure what this means but assume that corals and other sessile invertebrates will not be harmed by these fish. All wrasse are carnivores and genera like the Halichoeres, Macrophapharyngodon and Anampses wrasse are hunters of small worms and inverts amongst the rock and sand. This could pose problems for small crabs, shrimps and worms in a reef tank. Perhaps some common sense is needed, small Halichoeres wrasse will not eat larger shrimps and crabs, hopefully!
Paracheilinus
This genus contains the fish commonly called Flasher Wrasses. There are a dozen or more of these beautiful little fish in the genus with three new species being described as recently as 2016. This genus is, or should be, of great interest to anyone wanting to keep wrasse in their aquarium. In my experience they are readily available in the trade and don't require anything not applicable to keeping wrasse in general.
This genus contains the fish commonly called Flasher Wrasses. There are a dozen or more of these beautiful little fish in the genus with three new species being described as recently as 2016. This genus is, or should be, of great interest to anyone wanting to keep wrasse in their aquarium. In my experience they are readily available in the trade and don't require anything not applicable to keeping wrasse in general.
Macropharyngodon
This genus contains the fish that are commonly known as Leopard Wrasses because of their generally spotted patterns. There are around 10 species of these stunning little fish in the genus. This is another of my favourite genus, again generally quite small at around 10cms although in some species big males may attain 14cms. Some species are more readily available than others and there is a big range in the cost of the different species. I have kept up to four different species of this genus in my 300 litre setup without any problems. All were female and this may be the answer.
This genus contains the fish that are commonly known as Leopard Wrasses because of their generally spotted patterns. There are around 10 species of these stunning little fish in the genus. This is another of my favourite genus, again generally quite small at around 10cms although in some species big males may attain 14cms. Some species are more readily available than others and there is a big range in the cost of the different species. I have kept up to four different species of this genus in my 300 litre setup without any problems. All were female and this may be the answer.
Cirrhilabrus
These wonderful and very colourful fish are more commonly known as Fairy Wrasse. I seems for some reason people have now decided to refer to this genus as Dwarf Parrot Wrasse, I have even seen what were called Flasher Wrasse referred to as Dwarf Parrot Wrasse. Know your scientific names! All very confusing. They are one of the largest genus in the Labridae family with at least 45 species. New ones are being described regularly. They are some of the most colourful fish available for the reef aquarium and are generally peaceful with other fish. They are planktivores feeding within the water column and so are generally visible in the reef.
These wonderful and very colourful fish are more commonly known as Fairy Wrasse. I seems for some reason people have now decided to refer to this genus as Dwarf Parrot Wrasse, I have even seen what were called Flasher Wrasse referred to as Dwarf Parrot Wrasse. Know your scientific names! All very confusing. They are one of the largest genus in the Labridae family with at least 45 species. New ones are being described regularly. They are some of the most colourful fish available for the reef aquarium and are generally peaceful with other fish. They are planktivores feeding within the water column and so are generally visible in the reef.
Halichoeres
A large genus of fish with up to 82 described species. These are very active fish in the aquarium spending their time hunting for small invertebrates and worms within the live rock and corals. Most of the genus come within the range of 12cms to 16cms although a few species attain 25cms so be careful! A number of these fish are not looked upon as being reef safe as they may eat small crabs, shrimps and worms. The species I have kept to date have not been a problem. To date this is probably my favourite genus as they are so interesting in their habits. The only possible problem is the number of very similar looking species.
A large genus of fish with up to 82 described species. These are very active fish in the aquarium spending their time hunting for small invertebrates and worms within the live rock and corals. Most of the genus come within the range of 12cms to 16cms although a few species attain 25cms so be careful! A number of these fish are not looked upon as being reef safe as they may eat small crabs, shrimps and worms. The species I have kept to date have not been a problem. To date this is probably my favourite genus as they are so interesting in their habits. The only possible problem is the number of very similar looking species.
Pseudocheilinus
This is a small genus comprising of 7 described species. They are generally small fish between 8 and 12cms long. They are active and hardy fish looking for food in amongst the live rock and corals. Similar to other wrasse genera the sleep in a cave or crevice where they create a mucus cocoon. These fish will not harm corals in the reef aquarium and although quite secretive in the wild they can become quite boisterous and even aggressive in the aquarium. An attractive genus of fish but one I will avoid in my wrasse only aquarium as I am very wary of their possible aggression towards the other fish in reef.
This is a small genus comprising of 7 described species. They are generally small fish between 8 and 12cms long. They are active and hardy fish looking for food in amongst the live rock and corals. Similar to other wrasse genera the sleep in a cave or crevice where they create a mucus cocoon. These fish will not harm corals in the reef aquarium and although quite secretive in the wild they can become quite boisterous and even aggressive in the aquarium. An attractive genus of fish but one I will avoid in my wrasse only aquarium as I am very wary of their possible aggression towards the other fish in reef.
Labroides
This is another small genus of wrasse comprising of only 6 described species. The Blue streak cleaner wrasse can be seen in the majority of LFS and is generally inexpensive. Other species in the genera are less common but equally attractive. As the name implies all fish within this genus they are cleaners of other fish. They eat parasites and flaking skin from other fish. In the aquarium it is highly doubtful that they can sustain themselves on this diet and therefore must adapt to eating different things. There are reports of this happening but I believe this to be unusual. Many of these fish slowly die of starvation. As a result this is another genus I will avoid.
This is another small genus of wrasse comprising of only 6 described species. The Blue streak cleaner wrasse can be seen in the majority of LFS and is generally inexpensive. Other species in the genera are less common but equally attractive. As the name implies all fish within this genus they are cleaners of other fish. They eat parasites and flaking skin from other fish. In the aquarium it is highly doubtful that they can sustain themselves on this diet and therefore must adapt to eating different things. There are reports of this happening but I believe this to be unusual. Many of these fish slowly die of starvation. As a result this is another genus I will avoid.
Wetmorella
This is a small genus in more ways than one. There are three species described in the genus which are also know as pygmy or possum wrasse. The largest W. negropinatta at 6.5 cms down to W. Tanakai at 5cms. These are generally quiet and rather secretive little fish living around the caves and overhangs in the rock looking for tiny inverts and worms. They are slow moving fish and need to be with peaceful tankmates. They will not bother any other inhabitants in the tank so are completely 'reef safe'. Not the top of my list but would be a very interesting addition to my little reef setup so a real possibility.
This is a small genus in more ways than one. There are three species described in the genus which are also know as pygmy or possum wrasse. The largest W. negropinatta at 6.5 cms down to W. Tanakai at 5cms. These are generally quiet and rather secretive little fish living around the caves and overhangs in the rock looking for tiny inverts and worms. They are slow moving fish and need to be with peaceful tankmates. They will not bother any other inhabitants in the tank so are completely 'reef safe'. Not the top of my list but would be a very interesting addition to my little reef setup so a real possibility.
Anampses
This is a genus of beautiful small to medium size wrasse which are becoming more readily available. Their preferred habitat is a mix of reef, rocks, and sand, where they hunt for small crustaceans and mollusks during the day. An appropriate aquarium should be decorated with live rock and live sand very similar requirements to the Leopard wrasses as they also bury under the sand at night. These are a generally peaceful genus of around 13 species varying between 12 cms and 35 cms in length. They are often described as difficult to keep but I think if you can keep Machropharyngodon species these should be ok. It is not easy to find a lot of information about some of the species in this genus but the more I see of them the more I am attracted to them.
This is a genus of beautiful small to medium size wrasse which are becoming more readily available. Their preferred habitat is a mix of reef, rocks, and sand, where they hunt for small crustaceans and mollusks during the day. An appropriate aquarium should be decorated with live rock and live sand very similar requirements to the Leopard wrasses as they also bury under the sand at night. These are a generally peaceful genus of around 13 species varying between 12 cms and 35 cms in length. They are often described as difficult to keep but I think if you can keep Machropharyngodon species these should be ok. It is not easy to find a lot of information about some of the species in this genus but the more I see of them the more I am attracted to them.
Updated 8.10.20