cleaner wrasse.. conflicting info.

[adee]

I have heard some pretty conflicting info on these guys.. we picked one up today for our tank (After FINALLY catching our YT blue damsel) and added two emerald crabs to help with clean up in the tank. is there any solid info on these guys, so whats the real up to date info on them?? The guys at the LFS told me they have done really well for him (living well over a couple years each) best to keep only one per tank, exc....

 

[spanko]

type this into a google search.
labroides
Pick the first option. It is by Bob Fenner, author of the booke The Concintious Marine Aquarist.

 

[adee]

but how do we know they arent being farmed and are all being taken from the wild? I have read a similar article in the past but again, here and elsewhere ive read conflicting info

 

[spanko]

I guess it is like anything else in this hobby, you have to decide for yourself what and how you will keep your charges and what they will be. For me I have seen enough data from respected authors that say this is a a fish best left on the reef. Life expectancy in our tanks is greatly reduced because we cannot provide an environment the provides the food they need closely enough. For me that is reason enough. But again our decisions are our own.

 

[nw2salt08]

I was told when I received my cleaner wrasse that he'd only live for a month! Well, I am proud to say that almost 6 months later he is happy and healthy enjoying life in my tank. He eats like a little piggy from the frozen foods and a little flake now and then. He likes minced raw shrimp as well. He gets along with all of my tankmates...here's a pic of Zippy...

 

[chaoticdamsel]

I had the opportunity recently to hear Bob Fenner speak and one of the species he spoke about was the cleaner wrasse. Just like in the article that spanko referenced, Mr. Fenner stressed that this was a fish 'best left on the reef'.
There are always exceptions to every rule in this hobby, but the basic fact is that only one cleaner wrasse in thousands will live beyond a year in captivity. Those numbers speak for themselves, but it's kind of a moot point since you've already bought the fish.
I wish you best of luck. Maybe you'll be the one to beat the odds.

 

[subielover]

Why don't people research before they buy

 

[adee]

I had researched, but again like everything else in the world there is conflicting information out there (especially online) thus the reason behind the thread.

 

[snakeblitz33]

If there is conflicting information about it - and you are unsure - then don't get it!
Out of the three that I have kept, all of them died.
Personally, I don't think that cleaner wrasses should be sold for the aquarium trade, and are best left in the ocean.

 

[subielover]

How's the wrasse?

 

[adee]

pat yourselves on the back those of you who said it wouldnt survive in the tank.
I got home tonight from school and work to find it dead.

I called my LFS and they agreed to replace it (i know the guy that manages it, they dont typically guarantee their marine fish) so i doubt we will get another cleaner wrasse, we will just pay the difference and get a cleaner shrimp.

 

[subielover]

Sorry to hear that. On another note, cleaner shrimp are cool.

 

[lkgrenegade22]

Cleaner Shrimp are awesome. I've got a cleaner wrasse and had him for 3 months. He was one of the 1st fish I got and is doing great. He eats everything you put in the tank and I supplement him the best I can. I read awhile back of some guys on here that have kept them for longer than a year.

 

[fau8]

Cleaner shrimp are the way to go, more entertaining and and more effective.