Coral Beauty vs Melanurus

[HumbleFish]

I introduced a 4-5" Melanurus wrasse to my 150 gal mixed reef a few months ago. Other fish include a PB tang, Blonde Naso, Lemonpeel angel, pair of Maroon clowns, Firefish, Royal Gramma, and a 3-4" Coral Beauty angel.

From Day 1 the Melanurus and CB started scrapping. Both fish show no aggression towards anything else. I figured it would eventually subside, but three months on they are still having these skirmishes. It actually seems to be intensifying lately with ripped fins, cuts on their skin, etc.

Anyone else ever have this experience? Is this a "your color is too close to mine" sorta thing that's never going to get resolved unless I separate them? TIA

 

[Dmorty217]

Which one seems to be the aggressor? Whichever one that is I would try to catch and re acclimate to your tank and move around the rock work where that fish usually hangs out and it should stop the problem. Seems weird since their body shapes aren't similar

 

[HumbleFish]

Which one seems to be the aggressor?

My wife swears it's the Melanurus, but I've seen times when the CB will actually pursue him. So, I think the Melanurus is just standing his ground. I wouldn't mind it if the CB took my coral nipping Lemonpeel out. :headwally: