Fairy Wrasse Aggression

ChadmRoman · Oct 13, 2019

Bought a Lubbock and Fairy from a LFS a month or so back. They both came from the same tank. I watched for any signs of aggression between the two, and didn't notice anything, so I purchased both. Long story short, both went through QT together, once I added them to the DT, the fairy's in attack mode every time it sees the Lubbock.

Planning to move one to the box, which one do I send?

Hemmdog · Oct 13, 2019

Is he actually attacking and causing injury or just nipping and figuring out their new territories?

ChadmRoman · Oct 13, 2019

Hemmdog said:
Is he actually attacking and causing injury or just nipping and figuring out their new territories?

constant chasing and nipping, but no injury yet

Angel_Anthias lover · Oct 13, 2019

what species is the fairy wrasse ?

ChadmRoman · Oct 13, 2019

Not sure, it was labeled pink fairy at the lfs. Has a long topfin and will take a pic later today when they wake up.

Angel_Anthias lover said:
what species is the fairy wrasse ?

Jesterrace · Oct 13, 2019

ChadmRoman said:
Bought a Lubbock and Fairy from a LFS a month or so back. They both came from the same tank. I watched for any signs of aggression between the two, and didn't notice anything, so I purchased both. Long story short, both went through QT together, once I added them to the DT, the fairy's in attack mode every time it sees the Lubbock.

Planning to move one to the box, which one do I send?

They are both fairy wrasses and IMHO that is likely the problem. Is this the aggressor in question:

https://www.liveaquaria.com/product/1402/?pcatid=1402

ChadmRoman · Oct 13, 2019

Jesterrace said:
They are both fairy wrasses and IMHO that is likely the problem. Is this the aggressor in question:

https://www.liveaquaria.com/product/1402/?pcatid=1402

Not exactly, this wrasse was only $20. Here’s a pic and video hopefully help Id. And thank you very much for helping me out.

OrionN · Oct 13, 2019

A lot of the fairy wrasses are link. Y have one that have long dorsal fin, it maybe a Blue throat or Whip fin. Both are very aggressive.
Cannot advise more unless you can come up with the IF of the aggressor.
Lubbock is a fairly small and docile fairy, will not last in a small tank with a very aggressive fairy. Look at Hunter's article on Fairy Wrasses to have a good idea of what fairy are most likely tolerate each other. The larger the tank, the more luck you are going to have.
Here is Hunter's article

Cirrhilabrus Complexes: Inferiority Need Not Apply (1st Revision)

Cirrhilabrus, the “Fairy Wrasses”, are one of the most elegant, active, and colorful reef fish. Their appeal in a reef tank is common to many, but not all have a well-rounded understanding of the compatibility amongst them. Enter the notion of...

www.reef2reef.com

For ID wrasse, a good picture post here you will get the correct ID in record time

Let Me ID Your Wrasse!

Got a wrasse but have no idea what species it is? Post it here with a good, Email me: [email protected] with a clear picture and I'll ID it for you. If you can capture a photo with the fins flared out, all the better. :wink: And go!

www.reef2reef.com

Justfebreezeit · Oct 13, 2019

Can you get a better picture, that one is terrible.

OrionN · Oct 13, 2019

Look at Whipfin Fairy, Cirrhilabrus filamentosus , likely this is the fairy wrasse you have.

mattzang · Oct 13, 2019

the video looks like a flasher wrasse of some sort

Angel_Anthias lover · Oct 13, 2019

I agree Looks like it could be parachelinus cyaneus but hard to tell

mattzang said:
the video looks like a flasher wrasse of some sort

OrionN · Oct 13, 2019

Somehow the video does not show for me. Just the sill image.

ChadmRoman · Oct 13, 2019

Yes horrible picture and videos kinda sucks too, let’s try it again

OrionN · Oct 13, 2019

That is a Blue (or Peacock) Flasher wrasse, Paracheilinus cyaneus . He most likely will be fine. In the future, the Lubbock may turn the table on him.

ChadmRoman · Oct 13, 2019

mattzang said:
the video looks like a flasher wrasse of some sort

Angel_Anthias lover said:
I agree Looks like it could be parachelinus cyaneus but hard to tell

OrionN said:
That is a Blue (or Peacock) Flasher wrasse, Paracheilinus cyaneus . He most likely will be fine. In the future, the Lubbock may turn the table on him.

Yes, once I saw the photo from above I'm in complete agreement. Just got back from where I bought it and can confirm it's labeled as a Pink Fairy Wrasse. Good part it's half the price at the LFS than online retailers. So don't worry about acclimating it then? Let the aggression play it's course?