Aggressive Yellow-Fin Fairy Wrass?

AdamNC · Jun 21, 2018

Everywhere I’ve read has said this is a peaceful communal fish. 5 days ago I introduced a Carpenters Flasher Wrasse and I come home today to find it dead. Since day one the Fairy had chased it into a corner. The Flasher was eating with no problems but even at feeding times he would get chased. I’m wanting a community tank, not a semi aggressive tank. Do I need to rehome the Fairy or what? Tank is a 40 gallon breeder with a 10 gallon sized sump.

Flippers4pups · Jun 21, 2018

@evolved, what's your take on this.

cmcoker · Jun 21, 2018

Using an acclimation box?

saltyhog · Jun 21, 2018

While that's a species that can hold it's own I've not heard much about it being aggressive. The only one I've kept was pretty mild mannered. Interested to hear TJ's or Hunter's take.

HairyGary · Jun 21, 2018

This Ian what Hunter wrote about in the sticky

C. flavidorsalis “Yellow-fin Fairy”: One of the smallest of the genus. Often available at an affordable cost. While generally not overly aggressive, they will stand their ground quite well for their size.

I read this as somewhat aggressive.

AdamNC · Jun 22, 2018

cmcoker said:
Using an acclimation box?

No. I was assuming they were used more for semi aggressive species, not the “peaceful” ones.

cmcoker · Jun 22, 2018

AdamNC said:
No. I was assuming they were used more for semi aggressive species, not the “peaceful” ones.

I now use it with every wrasse addition, figure easier to start with it than try and catch one.

Jesterrace · Jun 22, 2018

I use acclimation for EVERY fish I put in now. I have had too many issues with aggression to NOT attempt this. It isn't 100% but it does make the process easier. Just remember that the listed demeanor of a fish is more of a probability and odds situation and not a hard fact situation. Generally Peaceful fish can turn aggressive and some semi-aggressive fish can be perfectly mild mannered. My guess is that your Yellow Fin has become established (been in the tank for a while) and won't take kindly to any new wrasse additions. You can keep the acclimation boxes super cheap and simple. I used these dollar store drain baskets to acclimate my Yellow Tang and Coral Beauty Dwarf Angel and it seemed to work pretty well:

eatbreakfast · Jun 22, 2018

I've found flavidorsalis to be in the top 1/3 of aggressive fairy wrasses. Not as bad as filamentosus, but moreso than most others.

AdamNC · Jun 22, 2018

So what else would be a good match for this little terror? Gramma? Dottyback? Trying to stay away from Damsels and Clowns. Already have a OC Clown in the other tank.