Crashjack
Well-Known Member
I had a C. lineatus, C. bathiphilus, and a C. exquisitus. Unfortunately while feeding one day, my lineatus went soaring over my left shoulder. I only saw it out of the corner of my eye, had no idea where it landed, and didn't even know which fish it was until I saw which fish was missing from the tank (yes, I have screen tops, but I have to slide one over to feed). I diligently started looking, but I'm handicapped and was limited to where I could look (i.e. I couldn't look behind the tank). I found the lineatus a week later in a place I had looked when it happened... my controller cabinet... and the fish pulled a real Houdini act to get there.
Anyway, after that, my bathiphilus and exquisitus started chasing and flashing at each other. It got progressively worse but has now leveled out. It is odd because one minute bathiphilus is chasing exquisitus; the next minute exquisitus is chasing bathiphilus, and the next minute they are hovering right next to each other like long-lost war buddies and as calm as cucumbers. I find the occasional nipped fin or scratch on body (scratches appear to have been caused by running into rocks), but the fish are really no worse for the wear. It does upset some of the other fish sometimes, and I've seen my kole tang run-off exquisitus. My tank is 72" x 24" x 19" with a lot of rock so it isn't like I have these fish in a 30 gal. My questions are: 1) Is this normal? and 2) Will adding a third compatible Cirrhilabrus help?
Anyway, after that, my bathiphilus and exquisitus started chasing and flashing at each other. It got progressively worse but has now leveled out. It is odd because one minute bathiphilus is chasing exquisitus; the next minute exquisitus is chasing bathiphilus, and the next minute they are hovering right next to each other like long-lost war buddies and as calm as cucumbers. I find the occasional nipped fin or scratch on body (scratches appear to have been caused by running into rocks), but the fish are really no worse for the wear. It does upset some of the other fish sometimes, and I've seen my kole tang run-off exquisitus. My tank is 72" x 24" x 19" with a lot of rock so it isn't like I have these fish in a 30 gal. My questions are: 1) Is this normal? and 2) Will adding a third compatible Cirrhilabrus help?
