Help with bully fish

D

DozerDozer

New member
I have a young sixline wrasse(1 inch) in a 38g reef tank. It's been happy and alone for 4-5 months. I added a mated pair of designer clownfish that are also juvenile (1 inch). They were added 2 days ago. The tank itself is still maturing and has only been running for under a year. The wrasse seems to do laps around the tank and the clowns stay in the upper left corner. As the wrasse comes around, he tries to attack or nip at the clowns. The clowns try and stay out of the way but the wrasse seems a little aggressive. Any ideas to fix this or is this normal. This is my first tank in over 5 yrs so I am a novice. I plan on adding an anemone this week for the clowns to host. Should I worry about the clownfish being attacked?
 
Flush it or sell it. There is no way to modify a fishes behavior. But in my own defense no-one has tried shock therapy or music relaxation techniques.
 
Goss is right, sixlines are notoriously aggressive, especially when they've already "claimed" the tank. It's not the fish's fault. Don't flush it.
 
Feed it to a happy eel, mantis shrimp or large trigger/puffer. Or bring it back to your lfs for store credit. But how uneventful would that be?
 
Do not flush it!!!

Try a mirror against the tank where the 6 line hangs out...let him fight his reflection...
did you rearrange the lr and leave the lights off for a couple days when the new fish were added, if not, do so now...
divide the tank with a piece of egg crate...

6 lines are total pitas...
 
Get a spaghetti strainer, catch the wrasse put it in the strainer gor a week, let the clowns make their territory, then rerelease the wrasse. Also rearrange your aquascape. I put my 7 inch sohal in a strainer for 2 weeks, rearranged my rocks, let my new additions settle and now everyone gets along.
 
For the record I do not want anyone to flush a fish. Just trying to bring humor into the situation.
 
Glad to hear it. Someone on another post actually killed a fish recently because it wasn't compatible with his tank! It's unbelievable that people actually think something like that is okay.
 
Yeah, Man. Tear down the tank if you have to and take the fish back to the LFS.

It's a PITA, but I had to tear down my 55g mantis tank to get a starry blenny out that was beating everything up including my mantis. As much as I wanted to drip acclimate him with rubbing alcohol, or throw him in an ant bed, I took him back to my LFS and let them have it for free. Your LFS may give you a trade or some store credit.

FTR: 6 lines have been known to be aggressive. Even if added last, most of the time they end up being terrors. Each fish has it's own personality. I didn't expect my starry blenny to be a bully, but he was. Always have a backup plan after you do your research...
 
Didn't try those ideas. But he went down the toilet. Just Kidding. I returned him to the LFS. I would never kill an innocent little fishie. He found a new home where he can bully other fish. I made sure he was re-acclimated before I left the store. Thanks 4 the help!
 
A mated pair of clowns can't still be juvis. When they are mature enough to claim a territory; they (especially the female) won't take any crap from any fish. I would get your tank stocked before the clowns do mature, they may not allow any additions to the tank.

Just curious: Does anyone think any of the mated designer clowns are losing any of their normal aggression toward outsiders? With most animals, something is usually sacrificed when selectively bred for their physical appearance. like Cocker Spaniels losing most of their brains.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

V
Feedback on this stocking list for 30g
Replies
0
Views
299
Varanis
V
JeannineC
Fish suggestion
Replies
19
Views
2K
rwbroadnax
R
M
20 gallon stocking ideas
Replies
9
Views
2K
MC Blowfish
M
rrrrob
Blue Damsel
Replies
7
Views
2K
rrrrob
rrrrob
A
Stocking Recommendations for established 92 gal
Replies
8
Views
2K
Aquado
A
Back
Top