Aggressive Flasher Wrasse Help Needed!

[evolved]

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)?

I don't at all think so; I would be comfortable with such.

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.

Very much agree. I would never put a Paracheilinus in a tank less than 3' in length at a bare minimum, but 4' or more is certainly better.

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.

I also agree; the acclimation box is the one of those things that seems too simple to work, yet works so very well.

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.

It's very much a species with a two sided coin, they either go one way or another - rather submissive or rather dominant. Most fall in the former category, but the split is close to even.

 

[frankyrivera]

I have a 75 gal with 8 wrasses 2 clowns 1 dragonet and a tang. All been together for 3 years with no aggression

 

[arc eye]

Update.

I partitioned the tank with egg crate last night and the stalemate has ended. All wrasses are present and accounted for with no more bickering. They are even passing back and forth from one side to the other (egg crate wasn't a perfect fit). A little relieve and change of scenery is all ot took!

 

[CoralsAddiction]

That's good news!

 

[Marshall O]

FWIW, I have found my Fairy and Flasher Wrasses establish dominance within their current size. My 3.5" male C. bathyphilus is the dominant of the "larger Fairy" (which consists of him and a male 3.5" C. laboutei). The C. laboutei goes after the C. bathyphilus about once every month or two trying to be the dominant of the two, but fails every time. For the small ones, my male P. attenuatus is dominant over those between 2-3". There is little to no interaction between the larger and smaller groups.

 

[aquaph8]

That Labouti will win that battle eventually, mine grew faster than any I've had (earls is a close second). He was big and beautiful. I ended up taking out for a time out cause he was a pain to add new guys with and when I put him back in he dove straight down into my bubble tip

 

[arc eye]

All three flashers were bought as terminal phase makls from divers den, but the yellow fin is significantly larger than the other two....kind of surprised at the size difference actually. I'm sure it didnt help my scenario any!

 

[eatbreakfast]

All three flashers were bought as terminal phase makls from divers den, but the yellow fin is significantly larger than the other two....kind of surprised at the size difference actually. I'm sure it didnt help my scenario any!

Actually, I have found a difference in size to be a significant help in limiting aggression, as a smaller fish is less likely to challenge a noticeably larger fish, and a larger fish is less likely to view a larger fish as a threat.

 

[Marshall O]

That Labouti will win that battle eventually, mine grew faster than any I've had (earls is a close second). He was big and beautiful. I ended up taking out for a time out cause he was a pain to add new guys with and when I put him back in he dove straight down into my bubble tip

Perhaps, though both are full grown and terminal males. If it does win out, it will be from the C. bathyphilus getting old. Sad story on your end either way

 

[aquaph8]

Thanks Marshall, maybe your right. Labouti is always listed at 3 1/2" but I've seen them easily up to 4" and thick.

 

[Bernie21]

Actually, I have found a difference in size to be a significant help in limiting aggression, as a smaller fish is less likely to challenge a noticeably larger fish, and a larger fish is less likely to view a larger fish as a threat.

I'm having the opposite reaction to this. I have a 4" melanurus chasing around a 2" fairy wrasse & 3" flasher wrasse I recently added after a week in an aclimation box.

Update.

I partitioned the tank with egg crate last night and the stalemate has ended. All wrasses are present and accounted for with no more bickering. They are even passing back and forth from one side to the other (egg crate wasn't a perfect fit). A little relieve and change of scenery is all ot took!

may I have more details on this? I have the melanurus wrasse issue, I'd like to try this w, before trying to catch it.

 

[arc eye]

I'm having the opposite reaction to this. I have a 4" melanurus chasing around a 2" fairy wrasse & 3" flasher wrasse I recently added after a week in an aclimation box.



may I have more details on this? I have the melanurus wrasse issue, I'd like to try this w, before trying to catch it.

Sure! I just cut a huge piece of egg crate (inner height and width of my tank). then I stuck it in there perpendicular. I literally bisected the tank. The bottom was supported by a little sand and rock and the top was supported with a mag float. It was easy and worked great.

 

[Bernie21]

Sure! I just cut a huge piece of egg crate (inner height and width of my tank). then I stuck it in there perpendicular. I literally bisected the tank. The bottom was supported by a little sand and rock and the top was supported with a mag float. It was easy and worked great.

How long did you keep it there? I caught my melanarus wrasse, but kinda want to re release it. But Id like to partition the tank 1st, then release it into the side opposite the other two wrasses.

 

[arc eye]

Monday night to Wednesday night I think. Just took it out yesterday before lights out. So we'll see how it's going when I get home today.