Social acclimation process for touchy wrasses

[skyrne_isk]

So after being settled for some time with livestock, my tank has a definite social order that has made it tough to add any new fish. I previously had the tank more heavily stocked with dither fish that did a lot to cut down on hostility, but I have since moved the anthias and chromis to another tank while I got the phosphate levels under control. Toughest to add have been wrasses, who have routinely been harassed by the other wrasses into hiding 24/7 in the sand until they die. After removing the most aggressive (and of course cheapest) offenders, a yellow coris and melanarus, I looked to follow an acclimation method that has worked for many wrasse owners you can see on this thread:


http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1973892&page=11

So after checking for what products were available, the only acrylic container I considered "large" enough container was $100 online. I tried using a specimen box for a day from a LFS, it was clear it was far too deep and not wide enough (it was maybe 6" x 3" x 8")

After a call to a local acrylic shop and $10 for some weldon 16 and an applicator, I used FREE scrap acrylic to build a box 16" x 8" x 6" (l x w x h) that hangs on the side of the tank (tank is 32" l and w).

Front

Side

I have two earmuff wrasses in it currently, they are maybe 3-4". What are the thoughts on the adequacy of this space and for how long I should give the fish? They are already eating in the box, but as you can see in the photos, the kuiteri is none too happy about the new tankmates so it may take a while for the vibe to settle down. For any of you who have used this method, did you wait until no aggression was shown to release the boxed additions? The last thing I want to do is dig wrasses out of the tank if the aggression is still bad after release. I am currently watching to see if the kuiteri will ignore the earmuffs, but so far he does a fair amount of flaring and dashing at the box.

 

[evolved]

For any of you who have used this method, did you wait until no aggression was shown to release the boxed additions? The last thing I want to do is dig wrasses out of the tank if the aggression is still bad after release. I am currently watching to see if the kuiteri will ignore the earmuffs, but so far he does a fair amount of flaring and dashing at the box.

Pretty much, yes. If it doesn't stop after a few days, you might have to rethink things.

Meanwhile, just keep an eye on the wrasses in the box. If they're continually stressed, that won't bode well either. It's a balancing act, really. You have to use your best judgment.

 

[skyrne_isk]

Pretty much, yes. If it doesn't stop after a few days, you might have to rethink things.

Meanwhile, just keep an eye on the wrasses in the box. If they're continually stressed, that won't bode well either. It's a balancing act, really. You have to use your best judgment.

They are eating pellets in the box now, I was pretty surprised. It seems like they can go for a while given their behavior. I will get a video up soon. How long have you kept new additions in the box?

One of the things I am trouble with is telling the difference between "interest" and "if I could only get a hold of you......"

 

[skyrne_isk]

Here's a video, one of them is quite shy and still hides most of the time.

<embed width="600" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullscreen="true" allowNetworking="all" wmode="transparent" src="http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf" flashvars="file=http%3A%2F%2Fvid692.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fvv283%2Fskyrne_isk%2FIMG_1878_zps21f48758.mp4">

In case the link above doesn't work for some:

 

[NyReefNoob]

put a mirror next to the tank for a couple of days before release and leave for a few days, this sometimes help, as well as releasing once the lights are out

 

[skyrne_isk]

update today is that there is some aggression in the box, but no damage to either fish - just the open-mouth blustering, no biting. Not sure if I need to assume the aggression inside is due to the cramped quarters and will be better once they are released or if it better to wait until they play nice in the box before turning them loose. This is day 5, time to turn them loose?

 

[evolved]

Might be time in that case. Yes, I'd suspect it's the close quarters getting to those inside the box, and that's only going to get worse if they stay in there. Should subside in the tank.

 

[skyrne_isk]

Released them yesterday into the tank after feeding. Oddly enough, there was little aggression from the kuiteri. The most chasing came from the multicolor, who I think is the "bottom rung" of the social ladder which would make sense.

Does anyone know if these wrasses (halichoeres) are better in twos or threes?

 

[evolved]

Does anyone know if these wrasses (halichoeres) are better in twos or threes?

Meaning conspecifics or not? (But it really doesn't make much difference either way)

 

[skyrne_isk]

Meaning conspecifics or not? (But it really doesn't make much difference either way)

conspecifics. generally, they aren't social are they?? not like fairies

 

[skyrne_isk]

Update that while they were both out and eating yesterday morning, they have been in the sand since last evening and not out today so far. My guess is someone hassled th into hiding during the day. We'll see how tonight goes

 

[HV1990]

Something else to ponder. If you introduce two fishes at once it may help with aggression. Meaning if you do have more aggressive fish they can't attack both at the same time.

 

[skyrne_isk]

Something else to ponder. If you introduce two fishes at once it may help with aggression. Meaning if you do have more aggressive fish they can't attack both at the same time.

Good point. This was absolutely one of my considerations, knowing that re-settling the social balance of my tank would be a challenge. I don't know quite how to explain it, but one day I noticed that new additions were getting stalked hard for the first week or so. I swear it happened when I took my lyretail harem out of the tank but I can't prove it. My 'overstocked' tank was easier to manage than the tank stocked 'appropriately'. Aggression diffusion = PITA

 

[skyrne_isk]

One dead on the sand this morning....no visible marks or apparent internal problems (bloating, wasting away). IIRC, is this inexplicably dead on the sand in the morning one of those "it happens sometimes" with wrasses? I seem to recall a couple of the black leopards and tamarins doing this a couple years back when I tried. Some were fine, some "just died".

 

[DustyReefer]

Iv'e had this happen a few times where wrasses inexplicably die a day or two after introduction to the tank. Best guess would be they succumbed to the stress.

 

[evolved]

Yeah, that's death by stress unfortunately. Something I've experienced myself.

 

[triggreef]

Are you treating them with prazi? Every wrasse needs a double dose of prazi at least if nothing else IMO. They usually come with internal worms, and starve even if they are eating and looking healthy. That should stop your unexplained losses. If you already use prazi then IDK. good luck