flasher wrasse aggression?

[Timbor]

Hi there,

I bought my first fish for my 35, a firefish (N. magnifica), about 6 weeks ago. He was the only fish in the tank, and was getting along fine.

On Sunday, I picked up a carpenter's flasher wrasse and added him as the second fish in the display.

Since I added the flasher, my firefish has been hiding out most of the time under his rock in the back corner of the tank. He does come out at feedings, but after eating some morsels goes back under his rock.

Today, I was watching them, and it looked like the flasher might be intimidating the firefish and preventing him from coming out in the open. He's not necessarily chasing him and trying to bite him, etc., just kinda swims towards him now and then when he sees the firefish.

From all that I read, flashers were considered peaceful fish, and were good for a community setup.

Can anyone else comment on this?

Thanks,

Tim

 

[snorvich]

Firefish are easily intimidated and flasher wrasses often do so. A difficult mix in a small tank.

 

[Timbor]

Interesting,

Any suggestions on where to go from here?

Would adding another fish help to ease the tension? I had hoped to get a royal gramma and possibly a pair of percs over the next few months.

Thanks,

Tim