Flashers, fairies and anthias

[suta4242]

I keep a number of small species of anthias. Recently I introduced a pair of Hooded fairy wrasse, which are supposed to be relatively mellow, just to see how they behaved around the anthias.

Now the anthias have a distinctive pecking order among themselves but I found the fairies are a tad bossy with them - especially the female, mainly during feeding :eek1:

Rather than add other fairies, I was also going to add two very small juvenile hoodeds, hoping that with their own harem the alpha female may redirect her attention elsewhere. In addition, I would like to add a few local red tailed flashers...are these likely to be aggressive with the anthias; or even with the fairies???

Guess I don't mind a bit of dominance, but certainly don't want anthias intimidated to the point that they hide or stop eating. Thoughts?

Thanks for your time.

:wave:

 

[eatbreakfast]

Adding more females will certainly keep the dominant wrasse less interested in the anthias, but fairy and flasher wrasses will definitely do a little chasing of other planktivores at feeding time, as they are all competing for the same food source. Expect a little of the same when adding the flashers, though the wrasses will most likely be interested in other wrasses.

 

[evolved]

Agree with the above, yet you should be aware it's quite likely those additional females will eventually all transition to males (in reference to the hooded, or any fairy/flasher for that matter).

 

[suta4242]

Hunter, I assumed wrt to the hooded, that the male would do his best to prevent the transition??? Kind of like the leader of a harem of anthias prevents any sub male becoming full male?

Is this a function of age or is it just accelerated under captive conditions?

 

[albano]

IME, most, if not all juvi wrasses will turn male, and the new younger male may (unfortunately) 'eliminate' the older 'super male'...

 

[suta4242]

Thanks for the input...not keen on only having male fairies, so will reconsider where to go from here.

:wave:

 

[evolved]

Hunter, I assumed wrt to the hooded, that the male would do his best to prevent the transition??? Kind of like the leader of a harem of anthias prevents any sub male becoming full male?

Is this a function of age or is it just accelerated under captive conditions?

In the natural environment, that's correct. But with respect to Albano's comment, it typically doesn't work out this way in a closed system; the females eventually transition regardless of a male's presence.
The theory as to why this happens (well, the one I like best), is the male not being assertive or direct enough towards the females while also trying to maintain dominance over other male wrasses (of other species) and/or other fish present in the system.

 

[suta4242]

Well....right before my eyes!

Not only has the female become a sub male, but she is now chasing the male who, although still much larger, is being pursued relentlessly.

I'm assuming this won't stop until one of the fish jumps or is killed????

I will try to separate the two late tonight when they're asleep and I guess the she male will be looking for a new home!

 

[eatbreakfast]

Well....right before my eyes!

Not only has the female become a sub male, but she is now chasing the male who, although still much larger, is being pursued relentlessly.

I'm assuming this won't stop until one of the fish jumps or is killed????

I will try to separate the two late tonight when they're asleep and I guess the she male will be looking for a new home!

Yes, this behavior will likely continue. Removing one is a good idea.

 

[evolved]

If the system is large enough (over 150g), there's a chance they'll work it out an co-exist. YMMV however.

If there's chasing to the point of nipping or causing other damage, then it's certainly time to remove one.