New fish draws older shy fish out

[ssavader]

I have a purple tang and melanurus wrasse that for reasons unknown to me have become quite shy and hide until feeding time. I bought a Scott's Fairy Wrasse last week and put him in the display tank (he had been at the store for 4 weeks in QT). The Scott's wrasse has been swimming actively around the tank. The melanurus wrasse is now out and about, and the purple tang is beginning to explore the tank during non feeding times. I know that using "dither" fish is common in fresh water tanks, but have others used this technique in marine aquariums?

 

[WuHT]

anthias ? chromis ? free swimming blennies ?

 

[ca1ore]

I have found that adding a new fish can coax others out and into eating foods they did not previously eat, yes. Have used this approach on occasion to get a fish in QT to eat. Risks a second fish, I understand, but it works and I've not lost one this way.

 

[3FordFamily]

Fish that swim around without fear often lead others to do the same. If your Scotts is like mine, he marches to his own drum and is out constantly