Crosshatch Trigger Beating Up The Other - Should I Be Concerned

[nuxx]

Hey everyone,

I purchased two smaller Crosshatch Triggers about 16 months ago that were just under 4" each.

One had male colors (Red tail, darker color and yellow fins) and the other was more female colors (Yellow tail, silver color and red/brown fins).

They went through QT together and have been in the display since.

They always hang out together, but the "male" lost his red tail (now yellow) but has his yellow fins and darker color.

Both fish had acted very docile, which I believe was due to a very aggressive Yellow Bellied Blue Tang that I removed about a month ago.

Ever since, both fish have been a lot more adventurous.

Yesterday my wife told me she heard a big splash, when I looked nothing seemed out of the ordinary, except the "female" Crosshatch wasn't out.

I saw her twice later in the day during feeding, and she came out for a few seconds. Her fins looked chewed up and she was swimming in a sort of juddering/twitching manner and would go back into the rocks. Noticed once that right as she went into the rocks, the "male" was soon where she went into the rocks.

Again this morning she wasn't out, but came out for a second to grab a bit of food.

Should I be worried about this?

Or is this just triggers being triggers?

Maybe an issue with similar sizes and a possible sex change?

I love these guys, almost like pets... feeling a little worried about her... :sad2:

 

[Dmorty217]

Sounds like your pair is having a power struggle on who is going to be the male. I don't think this will ever end well since you have had this issue on and off now for awhile. Hate to say it but I think one needs to come out and be rehomed

 

[nuxx]

Sounds like your pair is having a power struggle on who is going to be the male. I don't think this will ever end well since you have had this issue on and off now for awhile. Hate to say it but I think one needs to come out and be rehomed

Oh that's going to be fun

The only "aggression" I've seen before is the weird spinning they used to do. Never really a nipped fin or anything like that.

Otherwise always together.

What do you think the twitching is? Just stress?

 

[Dmorty217]

Hard to tell for sure. Do you have a video of the twitching? Twitching can be any number of things but typically its never a good thing

 

[nuxx]

Hard to tell for sure. Do you have a video of the twitching? Twitching can be any number of things but typically its never a good thing

I'll try to get a video later on today.

I'm partially scared the female tried to dart and hit the bracing... would explain the splash, maybe the twitching.

Also last time I had a fish hit the bracing (supermale Lineatus), the Crosshatches picked off it's fins and the fish was loopy, then died.

 

[nuxx]

Besides all odds, I actually was able to get a video of the "female" when I was cleaning the glass.

Also noticed that her fins are now yellow...

Notice the twitching type swimming behavior as she swims off:




Might just be a damaged tail...

Also noticed the Black Tang sort of chasing the "male" Crosshatch. Wondering if there is some sort of power struggle going on with the removed Yellow Belly Blue Tang.

I'm guessing maybe the damage to the "female" could have been done by the Black Tang. Or maybe the "male" being pulled caused him to lash out at the "female".

Who knows...

 

[humaguy]

the big splash was the two fish fighting, I see it and hear it in my tank, the twitching you see is an aggressive display...
I agree with Derek, these fish have been fighting since day 1..it is never going to work out...
I have the same issue with my males, to an extent...If I could yank one easily, I would...the behavior in your video is purely aggression, they do not like each other and will eventually destroy each other.

 

[nuxx]

the big splash was the two fish fighting, I see it and hear it in my tank, the twitching you see is an aggressive display...
I agree with Derek, these fish have been fighting since day 1..it is never going to work out...
I have the same issue with my males, to an extent...If I could yank one easily, I would...the behavior in your video is purely aggression, they do not like each other and will eventually destroy each other.

Thanks Ted!

Now this morning naturally they are best buddies again, swimming around together and checking out the same areas. No aggression during feeding...

Guess I'll just let it ride and if this happens again (which it sounds like it will), I'll use a fish trap and pull one

 

[nuxx]

Fish this morning, no hiding no twitching...

Stupid triggers

Also noticed the "females" fins are back to red/brown, when yesterday they were yellow. Can they change that fast?!?!