Tank bully

[Ab129]

I just added an orange back fairy wrasse and a royal gramma to my DT which already had a pair of oscellaris clowns and a melanurus wrasse.
Several of you advised me that the melanurus would harass the orange back.
I put the new fish in last night and have spent most of this evening observing them. The melanurus is keeping the OBFW pinned in the upper corner and every time the OBFW tries to venture down he charges at him and puts him back in the corner. He also half heartedly charges the royal gramma but the RG is hanging tough, giving him space but not going into hiding. I think those two will be ok.
My question is how long do I give the two wrasses to work things out before removing one?
And how much aggression is normal?

Also, I notice the OBFW has a white spot on his middle right side. I wouldn't know Ich if I tripped over it but I am concerned about that too.
What do I need to keep an eye on regarding that?

Any advice appreciated, thank you!

 

[thegrun]

As long as it is not doing physical damage I would give it 2-3 days, but once you start to see shredded or torn fins or bites you should remove it right away.

 

[Easy E]

I wouldn't wait too long. Aggression generally doesn't decrease over time. The white spot could quite easily be an injury.

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[Uncle99]

If he does not stand his ground, like the gramma, aggression will likely not subside, will prevent eating and be stressful, may end up with ick.
2 days and separation

 

[Dmorty217]

Turn the lights off for 24hrs, rearrange some rock work if necessary

 

[Ab129]

Thanks for replies.
Day 2 and things don't seem any better.
I made sure the OBFW got to eat but I don't have high hopes right now.
If this doesn't work out is there anyone in the Long Island NY area looking to give a wrasse a good home?

 

[Ab129]

Would this be worth a shot-
How about getting an acclimation box and putting him in there for a period of time ?

 

[Easy E]

Would this be worth a shot-
How about getting an acclimation box and putting him in there for a period of time ?

It is doubtful that it would permanently cure the aggression, but at least that would prevent the fairy wrasse from being killed. I would continue to attempt to re-home the aggressive wrasse. Maybe the LFS would take it back.

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[Ab129]

The aggressive one was one of my first fish so I would keep him and be looking to rehome the orange back.
I noticed he is venturing out of the corner a bit more tonight so I'm still monitoring.

 

[j.falk]

Several of you advised me that the melanurus would harass the orange back.

Maybe you should have heeded the advice you were given...?

 

[Ab129]

Yes. Thank you jfalk. Very helpful.

 

[j.falk]

Yes. Thank you jfalk. Very helpful.

You're welcome. The right answer is usually the most obvious.

 

[FirstContact]

Okay, not sure if this works with wrasses, but it works with tangs. You put a mirror up on the glass of the aquarium and the bully thinks there’s another big competitor just like him in the tank. The bully will go after the image in the mirror tiring himself out and giving the other fish a break.