Wrascally wrasses (1 Viewer)

[frankc]

I know some of you keep multiple fairy and/or flasher wrasses, and I could use some advice on how to make this work. Do you have to introduce them at the same time, or do you need more than two?

I have had a Lubbock's fairy wrasse for over a year, the only wrasse in the tank all that time. Saturday I added a royal flasher wrasse, and the Lubbock's was like a guided torpedo - immediately and constantly chasing the flasher. My tank is 36x36x27, with lots of hiding spots in the rocks. The flasher has built himself a cave at the edge of the rocks and in the Halimeda jungle, so he is fairly safe as long as he doesn't come out to eat.

I have ordered a fish trap, so if things don't calm down soon, I may try to catch the Lubbock's and put him in the old tank, where hopefully he can survive the clown.

 

[inigomontoya]

First and foremost always use a screen top with wrasses, they will jump and they will find a way through eggcrate-heck even that one inch gap for your power cord. I use an acclimation box (basically a fish trap) the first day or two so they can get used to each other. If there is aggression I keep them in longer. Adding more than one helps spread out the aggression some but sometimes they just get a color or shape that sets them off. My flame hated my solon/clown wrasse, just because of the orange head- the blue side didn't like him either because of the blue-guy couldn't win.

With just one currently and him showing aggression it is more likely a mix of same species and territorial- I would trap the lubbocks and put him in the other tank for just a few days to a week- then put him back in and it should be fine. Helps reset his mind. You can also get another wrasse to spread it out and because two is never enough (think I am at 9 now).

 

[frankc]

Actually, I'm one of the last reefers on Earth who still uses a glass top, so they are definitely not getting out. The acclimation box sounds like a good idea - I need to get one.

This Lubbock's is a bit aggressive in general - he chases the chromis too, but never to the point of hurting them or making them hide.

Yeah, it's always interesting to see what sets a fish off. My clown is a maroon and gold, and it was the only fish to survive 5 days without power during Ike. I was able to add most fish without too much drama, but when I got a flame angel, I thought for sure the clown was going to kill it - I guess the orange with vertical stripes was just too much. After 5 days or so, they worked it out, and they have been doing fine together for 3 years.