Acclimation Box New Wrasse Went In

[Enki]

I have a new fish that I introduced to my tank, a Labout's Wrasse and he is being harassed. My Flame Wrasse has been charging and nipping at the Labout's and sometimes the Rhomboid Wrasse goes after the Labout's. The Labout's is larger than both by 1/2 inch to 1 inch. I had a similar experience with the Diamond Tail Flasher being harassed My Rhomboid Wrasse female until the female Rhomboid got injured, Popeye, chasing the Diamond Tail. The Rhomboid Female has healed and could care less about The Diamond Tail now. I would like to avoid aggression if at all possible.

I put an acclimation box in my tank to catch the Flame Wrasse and now today the Labout's was in the box. I closed the door on the box so he is confined, but he does not seem at all happy charging the box or breathing heavy.
Keep the Labout's in for 24 hours? Let him out and try to catch the Flame?

Any suggestions as to what to do?

 

[Duke4life]

If it was me I would move the one you have to call to another tank then attempt to catch the aggressor at that point move the other back over and give it a week or two then using the box reintroduce the flame.

 

[mattcoug]

How big is the box? Does it have any pipe/rock/sand inside for the fish?

 

[Enki]

The Labout's manged to get the door open, door wasn't locked but was waited down with a rock. He is a tough guy. The Flame keeps running him down tirelessly. The Labout's manages to hide in my rocks and the Flame just starts looking for him.
I tried baiting the trap and guess what every fish that I have goes into the box except the Flame. I made the box for acclimation so I had added more holes to the box for circulation and with the extra holes the food eventually makes its way out and then the Flame eats. I bought a new box at petstore, $7.00. This box only has holes in the lid so I will try again tonight with new box to put food in the box, hopefilly food stats in the box longer and see if I can catch the Flame.

 

[Enki]

Every fish went in the box to eat except the Labout's and the Flame I'll try again today.

 

[Enki]

I caught the Flame and put him in the sump, but now the Labout's won't move from his hiding place. I can see him he is breathing heavy I tried looking at him with a flash light it looks like he has a slime coat and is just sitting their. His eyes are responsive to the light.
Any ideas on what to do next? What should I expect?

 

[Deinonych]

Just let him be. He'll come out when he feels it is safe for him.

 

[Enki]

Labout's came out for a minute darted around tank really fast and went back into his hiding place. I know it's like I am :deadhorse:

Just wait and see seems like the best course of action?
As a side note: it seems like many of my fish were more aggressive; I didn't notice their aggression until the Flame was out. My guess is that with the flame gone they all will calm down. Additionally once the Flame was out I noticed my Rhomboid has a chuck out of his tail fin, I think the Flame got a piece of him.

My reason for details like this is that I like to hear others opinion and experiences with what happened and what to expect and when someone else has something going on like his what to do. As I have been in this hobby these are the posts I look for when something goes wrong.
Thanks for your help guys

 

[Deinonych]

The C. laboutei is new to the tank and has to contend with the other fish with established territories. He will find his own niche in time, but you have to let him sort it out with the other inhabitants. Nothing else you can do, really.

 

[evolved]

Exactly.

At this point, you do nothing but wait. It might take a week or two.

 

[Enki]

Had a few changes with what's been happening:

I want to get the gang back together any ideas the best way that I can do this.

I had the issue with the Flame Chasing a Labout's and the Labout's got stressed out and eventually died. I lost another Labout's to shipping and got her replaced. In the meantime I was able to catch the Flame and put him in the sump. I have not been able to get the Flame to take food, he seems skittish since being caught, but I think there are a lot of worms and pods for him to eat in the sump. I know have a Labout's in qt she is eating like a pig and I want to put both fish, Flame and Labout's, and fire shrimp into my display. I just got the Elite Aquatics Acclimation Box and would like to get input as to the best way to get everyone back together.

I have a few ideas, but I was hoping to hear some other opinions first.

Fact's that might help out.
I have in order of dominance or aggression.

Flame Wrasse , 3 inch, in my sump.
Rhomboid Wrasse 3 1/2 inches.
Bartlet's Anthias 3 inches.
Labout's female, 3 inches, in QT
Rhomboid Wrasse female 2 1/4 inches
Diamond Tail Wrasse 2 inches
Yellow Tang 4 inches, he displays zero aggression big loveable oaf.
Yellow Tail Wrasse 2 inches
Red Tail Wrasse 1 3/4 inches
2 Clowns , size of a quarter
Fire shrimp, in qt with the Labout's

 

[Deinonych]

How big is the display tank?

 

[Enki]

set up is about your size. 93 gallon cube 40 gallon sump/fuge.

 

[Deinonych]

I would introduce the Labout's via acclimation box first. How long he remains in the box will depend on how the other wrasses react to his introduction. If there are signs of aggression from the others, he may have to stay in the box a couple of days until the aggression subsides. Once he's out of the box, I'd give him a couple weeks to establish a territory, then reintroduce the Flame (via acclimation box as well).

BTW, it's highly likely that your Rhomboid female will turn male eventually, so you should probably have a plan to remove one of the Rhomboids if that happens.