A Reef Safe Wrasse can make an excellent addition to a reef tank. Wrasses are a vital part of a natural reef ecosystem, and they are a very active and adaptable saltwater fish.
However, if you put a non-reef safe wrasse into your reef tank they can nip at your expensive corals and they might even try to eat smaller fish and invertebrates.
That’s why we put together this list of reef safe wrasses, so whether you’re looking for a small reef safe fish, or a large reef safe fish you’ll be able to find a wrasse that will be a perfect fit for any size reef tank.
Reef Safe Wrasses
Six-line Wrasse – Pseudocheilinus hexataenia
The Six Line Wrasse (Buy Online) is a very popular and affordable reef safe wrasse. They get their name from the six horizontal blue lines that contrast against their orange body. They are a very active fish, and they will add life to any aquarium as they dart around the rocks and coral in search of food.
The Sixline Wrasse comes from the Indo-Pacific, and the coastal water surrounding Fiji. In their native habitat, they carefully forage for food amongst a wide variety of coral colonies. The Six Line Wrasse tend to be a peaceful fish, and they can be kept in a community tank that has lots of live rock and plenty of places to hide.
The Six Line Wrasse will also help keep unwanted pests at bay since they will eat bristleworms off live rock, along with pyramidellid snails, flatworms, and small urchins.
Longfin Fairy Wrasse – Cirrhilabrus rubeus
The Longfin Fairy Wrasse (Buy Online) is also known as the Social Wrasse due to their peaceful nature. This wrasse also exhibits different color variations, so you might find them in fish stores listed as the Blue and Red Fairy Wrasse. The Longfin Fairy Wrasse will usually have a pale red body with orange fins with blue accents.
The Longfin Fairy Wrasse is the perfect fish for the reef tanks since they are a very active and peaceful fish. They get along well with most wrasses in their genus, and they are one of the best wrasses to keep with large groups of peaceful fish.
Melanurus Wrasse – Halichoeres melanurus
The Melanurus Wrasse (Buy Online) also goes by Tail Spot Wrasse and Hoeven’s Wrasse. They have a beautiful blue-green body that’s accented by pink and yellow horizontal stripes. They are a very peaceful wrasse and they tend to leave coral alone, but they should be monitored at first since some individuals might nip at polyps, feather dusters, and shrimp.
The Melanurus Wrasse needs to be kept in at least a 50-gallon tank, and it should have a tight-fitting lid since they can be jumpers. It’s also a good idea to provide them with a deep live sand bed to burrow in when they get frightened.
The Melanurus Wrasse will do best when kept with other peaceful fish including other wrasses, and they even get along with members of their own species. And in some cases, they might even act as a cleaner wrasse and eat parasites off of their tank mates.
Yellow Coris Wrasse – Halichoeres trispilus
The Yellow Coris Wrasse (Buy Online) is a bright yellow fish with black spots and stripes across its back. They are a very popular and affordable reef safe wrasse, and they need to be kept in a tank with lots of live rock and coral. They also need to burrow when they feel threatened, so they should be kept in a tank with a deep live sand substrate. Just be aware that they are also well-known escape artists, so they aren’t the best fish to keep in a lidless tank.
Splendid Pintail Fairy Wrasse – Cirrhilabrus isosceles
The Splendid Pintail Fairy Wrasse (Buy Online) is a stunning fish that has a native habitat that stretches from Japan all the way to the Philippines. They should be kept in at least a 90-gallon tank with lots of live rock. They are also a very peaceful fish that get along with other community fish, and they won’t bother corals, reef safe crabs, or other invertebrates.
The Splendid Pintail Fairy Wrasse is also a very active fish that will add some life and color to a reef aquarium. Just be aware that they are very strong swimmers, so they’ll need to be kept in a tank with a tight-fitting lid to prevent them from trying to escape.
Naoko’s Fairy Wrasse – Cirrhilabrus naokoae
Naoko’s Fairy Wrasse (Buy Online) has a vibrant red upper body with a yellow stripe on their side and a bright white belly. Naoko’s Fairy Wrasse is a new addition to the aquarium hobby since it is a relatively new species that was only just discovered in the early part of the 21st century. They are currently only found in the waters off Indonesia where they live in diverse coastal reefs. They do make a great addition to a reef tank since they will leave coral alone, but they have been known to eat immature invertebrates.
Yellow Banded Possum Wrasse – Wetmorella nigropinnata
The Yellow Banded Possum Wrasse (Possum Wrasse for Sale) also goes by the name Pygmy Possum Wrasse, and the Arrowhead Wrasse. They hail from the waters off Indonesia where they primarily live amongst the rocks that make up the base of the coral reef .
The Yellow Banded Possum Wrasse will only reach a maximum adult size of about 3-inches, so they can be kept in small nano-reef tanks. They are a very peaceful fish that also won’t bother corals, and they generally won’t eat invertebrates. The Yellow Banded Possum Wrasse can be shy though, so it’s a good idea to provide them with plenty of live rock and a soft sand substrate to hide in when they get frightened.
Solar Fairy Wrasse – Cirrhilabrus solorensis
The Solar Fairy Wrasse (Buy Online) is one of the most stunning wrasses that you can add to a reef tank. They have a deep blue body and a yellow face that’s accented by a pink forehead, and they have a black trim that contrasts with their silver fins.
The Solar Fairy Wrasse also has a very peaceful temperament, and they have a very hardy nature which makes them one of the best saltwater fish for beginners. They also can be kept in a 30-gallon tank since they won’t get that large, and they aren’t very active swimmers.
The Solar Fairy Wrasse likes to keep to themselves looking for food in and around the live rock work in a reef tank. They also don’t nip at coral polyps, and in most cases, they won’t bother invertebrates. In addition, they are very peaceful fish, and they even get along with other members of their species. However, the males can be somewhat aggressive, so it’s best to first add females before introducing a male to a tank.
White Banded Possum Wrasse – Wetmorella albofasciata
The White Banded Possum Wrasse (Buy Online) is a great Pygmy Wrasse for a nano reef tank. They are native to the waters off the coast of Indonesia, and they are a very easy to care for saltwater fish.
The White Banded Possum Wrasse has a dark red body with black spots and white vertical stripes. They also have a unique pointed face that’s shaped like an arrowhead that lets them find food in tight crevices.
The White Banded Possum Wrasse are a very peaceful fish, and they don’t bother corals and they get along with a wide range of tank mates. They also won’t get much larger than 2.5-inches, so they can be kept in small aquariums like a 10-gallon pico-reef tank.
Brunneus Fairy Wrasse – Cirrhilabrus brunneus
The Brunneus Fairy Wrasse (Buy Online) also goes by the name Dusky Fairy Wrasse. They are an extremely sought after wrasse species due to their unique coloration. The Brunneus Fairy Wrasse has a body that exhibits darker blues, reds, and deep purples that sets it apart from the other brightly colored Wrasses in the genus Cirrhilabrus.
The Brunneus Fairy Wrasse is a very active swimmer that needs to be kept in at least a 75-gallon tank with plenty of live rock and a sandy substrate. They can be aggressive towards other types of wrasses so they should only be kept with members of their own species. However, they will get along with most other species of community fish, and they won’t bother corals.
Eight Line Flasher Wrasse – Paracheilinus octotaenia
The Eight Line Flasher Wrasse (Buy Online) is a large reef safe fish that needs plenty of swimming space. This wrasse starts out life with a different color pattern than they will have as a fully mature adult fish. The juvenile Eight Line Flasher Wrasse has a light pink body with pale blue horizontal lines. While the adult Eight Line Flasher Wrasse has a bright orange body accented by bright blue horizontal lines and scarlet fins
The Eight Line Flasher Wrasse is a peaceful fish that will do well in a community tank. They also won’t bother corals, but they should be watched carefully around smaller invertebrates. The Eight Line Flasher Wrasse will need to be kept in at least a 55 gallon tank with a sand substrate and lots of live rock with small caves to help them feel safe.
Orange Back Fairy Wrasse – Cirrhilabrus aurantidorsalis
The Orange Back Fairy Wrasse (Buy Online) has a blue and purple body accented by a bright orange right under their dorsal fin. They are also able to change color during their mating dance, and they will even take on different shades depending on their mood.
The Orange Back Fairy Wrasse can be a very active fish, but they can also be shy so they’ll need lots of rocks in their environment to feel safe. However, once they get accustomed to their surroundings they will need lots of swimming space.
You should keep an Orange Back Fairy Wrasse in at least a 90-gallon tank. It’s also a good idea to keep an Orange Back Fairy Wrasse in an aquarium with a tightly sealed lid to keep them from trying to escape.
Divided Leopard Wrasse – Macropharyngodon bipartitus
The Divided Leopard Wrasse (Buy Online) is an amazing looking wrasse that has a multi-color body that makes them a real eye-catching specimen to keep in a reef tank. Their coloration covers the whole spectrum with shades of red, yellow, green, along with subtle blue accents.
The Divided Leopard Wrasse gets along well with other peaceful fish, and they can be kept with members of their own species. They will naturally develop into groups where a single female will turn into a dominant male that mates with the other females.
The Divided Leopard Wrasse needs to be kept in a tank with a soft sandy substrate since they need to bury themselves at night when they sleep. They also like to have plenty of live rock to hide in, and they are a good reef safe wrasse since they leave coral alone as well as invertebrates.
Hawaiian Flame Wrasse – Cirrhilabrus jordani
The Hawaiian Flame Wrasse (Buy Online) is one of the most vibrant fish in the ocean. They also go by the name Jordan’s Fairy Wrasse, or Jordan’s Wrasse. Male Hawaiian Flame Wrasses have a golden body with bright red fins. The females have a more subdued coloration since they don’t have the males bold markings.
The Hawaiian Flame Wrasse needs to be kept in at least a 90-gallon tank since they are very active swimmers. They also need a sand substrate with plenty of live rock and a few small caves.
The Hawaiian Flame Wrasse will leave corals alone, and they don’t tend to show any interest in most invertebrates. However, they will need to be fed frequently since they are a very active fish that needs to be fed 2 to 3 times a day.
Mystery Wrasse – Pseudocheilinus ocellatus
The Mystery Wrasse (Buy Online) is a very unique wrasse that has a slender body with a deep blue/purple coloration. They also have a yellow face with a narrow mouth that allows them to find small bits of food in tight spaces.
The Mystery Wrasse can be shy, so they will need caves and crevices to hide in to feel safe. They will also create a cocoon when they feel threatened, and they will wrap themselves in a cocoon every night when they sleep. Luckily they only sleep at night so they will be active throughout the day, and they are very strong swimmers, so they will need to be kept in the least a 90-gallon tank.
The Mystery Wrasse will leave corals alone, but they will eat small crustaceans if they can fit them in their mouth. They also can be aggressive towards smaller fish so it’s best to keep them in a tank with other large reef safe fish.
Lineatus Wrasse – Cirrhilabrus lineatus
The Lineatus Fairy Wrasse (Buy Online) is a rare wrasse species that is found off the coast of Australia. Females and non-dominant males exhibit dotted blue stripes, and dominant males lack stripes and their whole body is covered in vibrant red, yellow, blue, and purple colors.
If you keep a single male they will become the dominant male and display their full coloration. Otherwise, if you keep a group of Lineatus Wrasse then the males will challenge each other to assert their position in the tank. Other than that they are very peaceful fish, and just like most members of their species they need plenty of rocks to hide in along with a sand substrate.
Pink-Streaked Wrasse – Pseudocheilinops ataenia
Pink-Streaked Wrasse (Pink Streaked Wrasse for Sale) is one of the best reef safe wrasses in the saltwater aquarium hobby. They are also quite attractive since the males have a pale pink body with orange stripes that is tastefully accented by bright yellow fins with blue tips.
The Pink-Streaked Wrasse can be shy when introduced to a reef tank, but they will become bolder and less fearful over time. They will usually be left alone by most fish in a peaceful community tank, but they might be harassed by other wrasses in the Pseudocheilinops genus. But usually, they will be fine as long as they are kept in at least a 50-gallon tank with plenty of places to hide.
Debelius Fairy Wrasse – Cirrhilabrus adornatus
The Debelius Fairy Wrasse (Buy Online) is also known as the Redfin or Koi Fairy Wrasse. They are a reef safe wrasse, and they won’t harm invertebrates. The Debelius Fairy Wrasse also won’t pick at coral polyps even if they get hungry, and they will get along well with a wide range of tank mates.
The Debelius Fairy Wrasse should be kept in at least a 50-gallon aquarium, and they are notorious jumpers, so they will need to be kept in a tank with a tight-fitting lid. They also like to live near large rubble piles in the wild, so you’ll need to make sure you provide them with live rock with plenty of caves.
Yellow Fin Fairy Wrasse – Cirrhilabrus flavidorsalis
The Yellow Fin Fairy Wrasse (Buy Online) also goes by the name Millennium Wrasse. And as their name suggests their signature feature is their bright yellow dorsal fin. They also color up nicely as they mature and they will have a vibrant pink and white body, and the males will sometimes develop a blue caudal fin.
The Yellow Fin Fairy Wrasse also has the ability to change color depending on their mood, and they will really color up when they are courting a mate.
The Yellow Fin Fairy Wrasse get along well with other fish, and they are an excellent community fish. They also are a reef safe wrasse that won’t bother corals, and they’ll leave most of the invertebrates alone in a reef tank.
![Best Filter for an Oscar Fish Tank Oscar fish are voracious eaters that can grow to be up to 14 inches long. They need a lot of space and a big tank, but they also need good filtration. This is because Oscars produce a large amount of waste for their size, which can quickly pollute the water if not managed properly. Read on to see the best filter for an Oscar fish tank. [toc] Best Filter for an Oscar Fish Tank ***TABLE**** Best Filter for an Oscar Fish Tank OASE Indoor Aquatics Biomaster Thermo 600 The Aquatics Biomaster Thermo 600 Filter (Buy Online) has everything you need to keep water clean and healthy for your fish, plus some cool extra features too. It comes with four different filtration stages that remove debris from the water so your tank stays clear and safe for your fish to live in. Plus, it has a built-in heater which keeps the temperature of your tank consistent so you don't have to worry about fluctuations or sudden changes affecting your fish. The OASE Indoor Aquatics Biomaster Thermo 600 is a reliable and high-quality filter that will keep your water crystal clear. It has four stages of filtration, including a pre-filter module for particle removal, two main filters to clean detritus from the water before it reaches the pump area, an activated carbon stage with 45 ppi pores to trap organic chemicals and reduce odors, and finally a polishing cartridge which traps any particles left after the other three stages have removed most of the large debris. Plus, it comes with Hel-X Biomedia that has an extremely large surface area for beneficial bacteria colonies that break down nitrogenous waste. Overall, this filter can be used on 70 to 160 gallon tanks, and if you want peace of mind about how well your tank is being filtered and heated – this canister filter is perfect for an Oscar tank. Eheim Pro 4+ 600 Filter The Eheim Pro 4+ 600 Filter (Buy Online) is the best filter for an oscar fish tank because it’s easy to use and maintain while providing a high level of filtration. It has a self-priming pump that makes starting up very simple, plus its safety hose adapter means you won’t have to worry about any accidents with this unit. We recommend going with their Pro 4+ model which has been designed specifically for tanks containing Oscars and other larger species of fish. This filter comes with everything you need including extra media baskets, spray bars, adjustable flow control valves, and more. Polar Aurora 4-Stage External Canister Filter 525GPH with 9-watt UV Light The Polar Aurora External Canister Filter (Buy Online) is an affordable yet high-quality canister filter and it has four stages of filtration (biological, mechanical, chemical and UV) that keep your fish tank crystal clear without taking up much space. If you have an Oscar Fish Tank, then you know that they are messy fish. They produce a lot of waste and your tank needs to be cleaned frequently. That's where this filter comes in handy. It can handle tanks up to 200 gallons and has a maximum flow rate of 525GPH from the built in pump. This is more than enough power for even the messiest Oscar Tanks. This unit also comes with three different media trays so you can use any type of filtration media you want - bio balls, sponges or ceramic rings. And not only does this filter provide excellent water filtration, it comes with a built in 9 Watt UV Light that allows it to easily control algae spores/bacteria and maintain clear water in your aquarium at all times. Fluval FX4 High Performance Canister Filter, External Aquarium Filter The Fluval FX4 (Buy Online) is an external filter designed specifically for aquariums housing oscars and other large tropical fish species like cichlids and catfish. There's also three different filtration stages included in this setup which will ensure that all the waste produced by your fish gets filtered out quickly leaving behind crystal clear water every time. The Fluval FX4 is the best aquarium filter on the market because it has a patented self-priming pump that moves 700 US Gal of water per hour. It also comes with all of the media you need to get started filtering your tank immediately after installation - no extra purchases necessary. This external aquarium filter is easy to install, maintain, and clean. With its multi-stage filtration process this canister filter removes harmful toxins from your water while providing superior mechanical filtration through three stages of bio-filtration using BioMax cartridges, activated carbon pads and biological ceramic rings . This powerful filter pumps out 700 US Gal (2650 L) of water per hour so it's perfect for even the largest freshwater or saltwater tanks up to 250 US Gal (900 L) Best Hang On Back Filter for an Oscar Fish Tank AquaClear Fish Tank Filter, Aquarium Filter for 60- to 110-Gallon Aquariums The AquaClear 110 (Buy Online) is a hang-on back filter that has an adjustable flow rate, and it'll last you for years. AquaClear filters make it easy, convenient, and affordable to keep your tank clean without all of the complexity and hassle of a canister filter. The AquaClear 110 filter has been designed with the hobbyist in mind; and it provides superior mechanical, chemical as well as biological filtration media at an unbeatable price point. It's ideal for aquariums up to 110 gallons (416 liters) in size and it has a flow rate of 500 U.S. gallons per hour (1,900 L/h). SeaChem – Large Aquarium Fish Tank Filter, Tidal 110 Gallon The SeaChem Tidal 110 Gallon Aquarium Filter (Buy Online) is one of the few hang on back filters specifically designed for Oscars and other larger tropical fish tanks (up to 110 gallons). This means that it has more than twice the capacity of other hang on back filters so there's no need to clean out debris as often. It also has an adjustable flow control valve - just set the dial where you want it and let the self-priming pump do its job. You can also use any kind of filtration media without worrying about clogging since the patented impeller design keeps everything running smoothly Best Sponge Filter for an Oscar Fish Tank Bacto-Surge Hikari Aquarium Solutions Foam Filter, 125 Gallons Bacto-Surge Foam Filters (Buy Online) are made from a durable foam material which allows them to last much longer than traditional sponge filters. They also don't require any electricity or have any moving parts, so you can use these as a cheap and reliable way to supplement the filtration in your Oscar tank. Best Under Gravel Filter for an Oscar Fish Tank Lee's 125/135 Premium Undergravel Filter, 18-Inch by 72-Inch Lee's 125/135 Premium Undergravel Filter (Buy Online) is the best you can get for an Oscar fish tank. It has a multi-level plate design made of high-quality plastic, so it lasts longer than standard models. And this under gravel filter can also be used to build an anoxic filter to lower nitrates, which improves overall water quality and it will also help keep your fish healthy and disease free. Best Filter Media for an Oscar Fish Tank Premium Authentic Pinky Filter Floss for Fish Tanks Premium Authentic Pinky Filter Floss for Fish Tanks (Buy Online) provides two layers of filtration to keep your tank cleaner & running more efficiently than ever before. It's made in the USA from high-quality materials that are safe for both fish and humans alike. It also reduces maintenance time because it lasts 2x as long as other brands on the market today. AQUANEAT Aquarium Filter Sponge Open Cell Foam Sheet Bio Sponge Filter Media Pad Aquaneat's Black Fine Filter Sponge (Buy Online) is made with natural materials that are non-toxic and safe for fish & plants. It provides mechanical filtration by trapping dirt particles in the pores of the sponge material so they do not get through into your aquarium water where they could cause harm to your aquatic pets. The open cell structure of the Aquaneat Sponge means you can simply rinse it under running water when needed instead of having to replace expensive filters every few weeks. And we've tested these pads with many different types of tanks and they are one of the most durable and economical ways to keep the water in a fish tank free of debris. Seachem Matrix, 4 L / 1 gal. Seachem Matrix (Buy Online) removes ammonia, nitrite and nitrate from the water column in freshwater tanks through a process called denitrification. It does this by providing an environment where beneficial bacteria thrive and convert harmful toxins into less harmful forms (even anoxic bacteria that break down nitrates). This process reduces stress on aquarium inhabitants by reducing their exposure to these toxins while also maintaining pristine water quality in your aquarium Eheim AEH2507051 Mech Filter Media for Aquarium, 1-Liter Eheim Ceramic Cylinders (Buy Online) are reusable so you don't have to waste money on disposable filter cartridges or sponges every time you clean your tank. Simply rinse them out in decholorinated water when they get clogged, and you can reuse them indefinitely. Oscar Fish Tank Size A 70 gallon tank will work for an Oscar, but it's better to keep them in a 100+ gallon tank. The bigger the better. More space promotes greater health while also keeping them happier which in turn reduces the risk of stress and disease. Oscar Fish Water Parameters Oscar Fish Water pH Level Oscars prefer water with a pH between 6 and 8, but they prefer slightly acidic water and they can live in water that has a pH as low as 5.5 quite comfortably. Oscar Fish Nitrite Level The nitrite level in your tank should be at 0 ppm once your tank has cycled. Nevertheless, a weekly 10% water change with fresh water from the tap is always good early on in the cycle to reduce nitrites. Oscar Fish Nitrate Level To keep your Oscar healthy you want to keep your nitrate levels between 10-40 ppm. It's important that you test the water with a Nitrate Test Kit (Buy Online) to ensure the nitrate levels in your tank aren't reaching dangerous levels. If the nitrates in your tank stay consistently over 40ppm, it’s time to clean or replace old filters, clean out uneaten food, vacuum the gravel, and do at least a 25% water change. Oscar Fish Water Temperature The ideal water temperature for Oscars is 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit (23 - 27 Celcius). It's important to remember that Oscar Fish are from the Amazon Rainforest and they need a heater in their tank especially during the winter time If you want to know what size heater you need for your tank you can use our Fish Tank Heater Calculator (Click Here) Oscar Fish Water Change Water changes are an essential part of fish keeping for any type of fish. This is especially true when you have larger fish like oscars that produce more waste. Water changes, or partial water changes, should be done every 1-2 weeks depending on how many fish you keep in your tank Why Is My Oscar Fish Tank Cloudy Fish tank water can become cloudy for a few reasons. The most usual is that the aquarium is either experiencing a bacteria bloom or there is algae in the water column. If this is the case, you’ll need to do a 50%-75% water change immediately. You can also use an inline UV filter if water changes and regular tank maintenance aren't getting control of your cloudy water problem. How To Keep an Oscar Fish Tank Clean Water Changes Vacuum the Gravel Bed Cleaning the Filter Removing uneaten food from tank Check for any algae growth on plants or glass walls of aquarium and clean as needed Test the water regularly Do Oscar Fish Need a Filter Yes, Oscar fish need a filter because they are messy eaters that produce a lot of waste. The filter helps with this issue and also improves the water quality by converting harmful ammonia into less toxic nitrates.](https://thepetsupplyguy.com/wp-content/uploads/Best-Filter-for-Oscar-Fish-Tank-464x290.jpg)
