Adding wrasse to DT with resident wrasse

[lcs]

I have a male McCosker's in QT who is ready to move to the DT. In the DT is a mature melanurus wrasse. Should I add the McCosker's with only the blues on, in the evening (or morning?) or during the day and use an acclimation box? Should I wait until the melanurus goes to bed?

When I added my firefish the melanurus harassed him for a few days, but eventually the firefish realized he wasn't going to get eaten and the wrasse got bored and within a couple weeks everything was fine.

 

[hogfanreefer]

I would use an acclimation box. Always the best idea when adding a wrasse to a tank with an existing wrasse. That said, I'm surprised. My Vrolik's wrasse (very closely related to the melanurus) has really not shown any interest in any of the 6 wrasse added after him including two Halichoeres wrasse.

 

[ramon1181]

Use acclimation box for at least 2 weeks best to avoid any chance of aggression and new wrasse will get comfortable to it lights and feeding in mean time

 

[albano]

Use acclimation box for at least 2 weeks best to avoid any chance of aggression...

????
I don't think that I've ever had a fish in an acclimation box for more than 3 DAYS... and I probably average over 10 new wrasses a year ... presently about 40 wrasses in tank with 40 other fish... Never a problem with a couple days in acclimation box.

 

[jcdeng]

I wouldn't do 2 weeks in the acclimation box, just 2-3 days tops. think about the wrasse inside the small box, confined in such a small space for 2 weeks is torture and IMO will make the new wrasse stress.

 

[Marshall O]

Agreed on the 3 days max. That is what I have done as well. For some, they only were in the for 24 hours as no other fish showed any interest. Make sure you release the new fish just before lights out.

 

[HiImSean]

Any type of see through box that can get clean water through it will work for the acclimation box. My melanurus wrasse was interested in my linespot for about a day when it was out of the box. IMO the box will get the new wrasse comfortable with the tank as opposed to other fish interested in it.

 

[lcs]

Thanks so much guys! I have on hand a Lee's breeder box. I figured I would put it in empty for a day or so before adding the McCosker's. Overkill maybe, but my melanurus is super curious (nosy!) about eveything!

 

[eatbreakfast]

If your melanurus is super nosy I would suggest making sure to have some form of refuge for the flasher to hide into in the acclimation box as seeing a another wrasse coming at him could cause him stress.

 

[snorvich]

If your melanurus is super nosy I would suggest making sure to have some form of refuge for the flasher to hide into in the acclimation box as seeing a another wrasse coming at him could cause him stress.

Excellent idea. Since acclimation boxes by nature are transparent, any fish contained within might be stressed with a lot of attention and no place to "hide".

 

[evolved]

????
I don't think that I've ever had a fish in an acclimation box for more than 3 DAYS... and I probably average over 10 new wrasses a year ... presently about 40 wrasses in tank with 40 other fish... Never a problem with a couple days in acclimation box.

Also agree; 2-3 days is typically all it takes. I would be comfortable going 4-5 days if aggression warranted it, but much longer than that would make me nervous.

And I also always have a piece or two of PVC in the box. Not only give it give them someplace to hide, but it helps calm them down in an "invisible prison".

 

[lcs]

If your melanurus is super nosy I would suggest making sure to have some form of refuge for the flasher to hide into in the acclimation box as seeing a another wrasse coming at him could cause him stress.

I totally agree! I was wanting to put his favorite rock from the QT, but I'm sure the acclimation box would sink, so PVC it is.

Thanks again! Still don't know when I'll get around to doing this, but no rush, he's fat and happy in the QT with his blenny buddy.