Corris Wrasse gone rogue.

[k2-]

My Corris wrasse gone rogue and one by one killed almost everyfish including my Angel.

It was a newer addition to a 100G tank. Any ideas to reduce its agression - added a 3 inch layer of sand but what can i do/check before adding another fish to the tank ?

 

[John Bolden]

@Jay Hemdal

 

[fodsod]

Sub'd in to hear this as I just had a Wrasse attack and try to eat another fish a week ago. Moved him to the big tank and he's been OK so far but I'm curious about Wrasse aggression.

 

[Slocke]

There are a lot of species of coris. Please specify species and size.

However coris wrasse in general are a large species of wrasse and usually classified as not reef safe for a reason. I always suggest using an acclimation box and you can use it to judge aggression.

 

[demonclownfish]

yellow Coris are the only Coris I'd keep in a reef

 

[Slocke]

yellow Coris are the only Coris I'd keep in a reef

Well that’s because it’s not a coris wrasse. Unfortunately some fool called it a yellow coris when it is in fact a halichoeres wrasse and reef safe almost always.

 

[i cant think]

My Corris wrasse gone rogue and one by one killed almost everyfish including my Angel.

It was a newer addition to a 100G tank. Any ideas to reduce its agression - added a 3 inch layer of sand but what can i do/check before adding another fish to the tank ?

From the sounds of you you were given a Coris formosa which get HUGE and do not want a sandbed for territory. They want to be the only fish that’s in a regular sized reef (6’ or less).

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

My Corris wrasse gone rogue and one by one killed almost everyfish including my Angel.

It was a newer addition to a 100G tank. Any ideas to reduce its agression - added a 3 inch layer of sand but what can i do/check before adding another fish to the tank ?

What species of wrasse is it?
Was there a BIG size difference between the fish? I've never had true Coris wrasse kill anything that was larger/same size than them...

Did you see signs of damage in the deceased fish? I'm worried that there could be just be a coincidence here...
Reducing aggression in fish is really difficult - people try all sorts of tricks like giving the aggressor a "time out" in a holding box, rearranging the tank décor, etc., but that usually doesn't work if the fish are fundamentally incompatible to begin with....

Jay

 

[k2-]

By the look of it - it has a Yellow tail and resembles more with Corris - Will post a picture in a bit

 

[k2-]

Here is how it went: I added Corris with a few damsels, an established AngelFish (emperor) in the tank, and a brow clownfish. Slowly and indeed, I saw damsels dead almost daily (sometimes within hours of seeing them swimming happily to find injured and dead in one corner), and one day my Emperor was found in one corner of the tank - but slowly and steadily, within a week everything parted ways - I tried to save angel fish, but it didn't make it - last one left was clownfish which I also found injured one day and the same conclusion.

Going by reputation, I didn't think Corris to be the problem, but the logic of elimination and the injured damsel, etc, makes me believe maybe it is a problem.

The last one standing on the tank is a Corris and a small Goby, which has been living for the past two months with no issues. I am afraid to add any more fish - simply cause I don't want it to be killed, but I can try based on advice. Corris is healthy, eating well, and swimming well. I will send a picture once the lights turn on.

 

[k2-]

As per sizes at least the angelfish was the same size as the Corris. But what else could be the problem ? All parameters etc are stable - the guy with whom I traded the fish swear that the corris went along with all the fish (damsels) he traded with me.

 

[i cant think]

As per sizes at least the angelfish was the same size as the Corris. But what else could be the problem ? All parameters etc are stable - the guy with whom I traded the fish swear that the corris went along with all the fish (damsels) he traded with me.

What size is your tank?

 

[homer1475]

Need pictures of said "corris" wrasse to identify species, to give better information.

 

[k2-]

Here is the culprit

 

[k2-]

My tank is 100g

 

[Slocke]

Coris gaimard or red coris
It’s one of the smaller and more peaceful but still can be a menace!

 

[Slocke]

I’ve seen a wrasse go rogue before and the only solution was bigger badder fish. I’d sell if I were you. 100gallon is not really big enough. A fish trap is pretty affective with wrasse.

 

[i cant think]

Here is the culprit

This guy isn’t just any Coris gaimard and appears to be maturing into the male colouring which makes sense given the behaviour you’ve seen.
A 100G tank is incredibly small for a mature gaimard that’s turning male as they are as you’ve discovered, nasty. And even then larger more aggressive fish won’t always work unless their aggression is Sohal Tang sized.

 

[SaltyT]

Here is the culprit

I agree this is a male Coris gaimard, but he looks small in the photos. Did you witness your wrasse inflicting damage to the other fish?

 

[homer1475]

Lets make that 4 of us that say coris gaimard, or red coris wrasse. I got mine as a tiny juvenile, as it matured and turned male, it turned into a complete nightmare.

I ended up giving mine away to someone with a much larger, and more aggressive tank then mine. He lives very peacefully to this day. Still a complete nightmare, but his tank mates keep him in check.

Even as an adult male, mine I visit quite often, is still only about 4, maybe 5 inches.

If it were me, although I love the fish(adult males look way cooler then juvenile females), I would return, or rehome it.