Aggressive Flasher Wrasse Help Needed!

[arc eye]

In the last 24hrs I introduced three wrasses to my tank (under the cover of darkness).

- McCosker Flasher
- Royal Flasher
- Lubbock Fairy

The established yellow fin flasher wrasse has been very aggressive and driven all three new additions into hiding. I thought by introducing all three at once I could get away without using an acclimation box since it would split his attention.....apparently not!

Should I wait it out a couple days or start trying to capture and contain the Yellow Fin?

 

[CoralsAddiction]

In your 80 gallon I wouldn't try more than 2 wrasses.

 

[arc eye]

On a positive note. The Lubbock and yellow fin seem to have been working it out during dusk this evening.

 

[sabo]

Give it a couple of days. I had the same issue and it calmed down in a couple of days.

 

[snorvich]

Using an acclimation box, especially with wrasses, is a good idea.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Give it a couple of days. I had the same issue and it calmed down in a couple of days.

This is pretty common, it usually dies down after a couple of days. As long as the established wrasse doesnt keep the newcomers "pinned" into the hiding spot it should get better.

In your 80 gallon I wouldn't try more than 2 wrasses.

In an 80g I would not limit myself to just 2 wrasses.

 

[jcdeng]

+1 on dying down after a few days, wrasse aggression is usually not life threatening, IME. Unless you went with 2 males of the same kind.

BTW I have 5 wrasses in my 90G, adding 2 more down the road when they show up on DD.

 

[CoralsAddiction]

BTW I have 5 wrasses in my 90G, adding 2 more down the road when they show up on DD.

Cool. Wait till they get a humphead wrasse. That will fit right in with your 5 wrasses.

 

[jcdeng]

Cool. Wait till they get a humphead wrasse. That will fit right in with your 5 wrasses.

wow, so much hate.

 

[CoralsAddiction]

wow, so much hate.

No hate. Just joke and sarcasm. Can't we have some fun while we disagree on stocking threads? Lol

 

[snorvich]

Since this is the internet, and we can only read what is written rather than what is intended, it is always a good thing to use emoticons to insure what is intended as a joke is perceived as a joke.

 

[CoralsAddiction]

Since this is the internet, and we can only read what is written rather than what is intended, it is always a good thing to use emoticons to insure what is intended as a joke is perceived as a joke.

Ok

 

[arc eye]

Royal flasher came out and ate this morning with minimal issues. So things ate looking up!

I am a little confused on flashers though. I did a bunch of research (evolved's write up, etc.) and it says males of different species should be okay. Then when yiu look at the minimum tank size it says 80-90g is okay. So is it a bad idea to have three flashers in an 80g (48x20x21)?

 

[CoralsAddiction]

Royal flasher came out and ate this morning with minimal issues. So things ate looking up!

I am a little confused on flashers though. I did a bunch of research (evolved's write up, etc.) and it says males of different species should be okay. Then when yiu look at the minimum tank size it says 80-90g is okay. So is it a bad idea to have three flashers in an 80g (48x20x21)?

Without even getting into the rest of your livestock, having 3 flashers and 1 fairy wrasse is not something I would personally do. Obviously you have people keeping 5 in a 90 apparently without issues...but then you also see people keeping tangs in 29 gallon cubes. I guess it all comes down to ones own personal desires.
Almost every site describes flasher and fairy wrasses as peaceful fish...which they are when there are no other similar looking fish in the tank. However, the behavior changes when more than one wrasse is present. Anyhow, you spend the time and money on your fish so I wish you best of luck and hope it works out for you.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Flashers show their best colors and display nicely to other flashers and fairy wrasses. Evolved often recommends a 4ft tank to full see these displays. Most sites that say they are peacef(such as LA) recommend 50g, but thats not 50g per fish). Some reef keepers are overly cautious though when it comes to keeping wrasses. As someone that likes to see flashers flash, I think your stocking is fine, and without knowing all of your livestock, believes there is still room for more wrasses.

 

[CoralsAddiction]

there is still room for more wrasses.

Careful what you say. Fish police are watching. . Now I am totally joking. Good luck to OP.

 

[aquaph8]

I'm a big believer in its not only what you add but how you add it which is why an acclimation box plays a big role in the addition of these fish. I also think adding more than one at a time like you did helps keep one fish from being singled out.

For some reason I feel P. Flavianalis is a little more on the aggressive side though.

 

[arc eye]

Double post.

 

[arc eye]

Thanks, guys. I will definitely use an acclimation box next time around. If the flashers don't come put in the next day or so I will take action.

The lubbock has now been accepted by all and goes about his business freely.

 

[CoralsAddiction]

The lubbock has now been accepted by all and goes about his business freely.

Based on experience and research, Lubbocks fairy wrasse is not timid in reef tanks so I'm not surprised by your observation. If anything it might try to boss the flasher wrasses in no time. Keep us posted.