How to add new fish (sixline does not agree)

[KonradTO]

Hi all,
I recently lost my YWG and few months ago my 2 percula clowns. In my original plan the sixline wrasse was added last in the tank, but now after I am a bit understocked I would like to get one or two more fish. The only problem is that the sixline is very aggressive toward every newcomer (but is absolutely fine with the old mates, one bicolor blenny and a chromis). Any suggestion on how to proceed? I considered taking the sixline out for few days and add it back afterwards but I never managed to catch any fish apart from sleeping clownfish, as soon as I take the net they hide in the rockwork. Are there fish that are sturdy and strong enough to hold against the sixline ? I have a 32g tank so nothing too big..

 

[MysticBlue]

Hi all,
I recently lost my YWG and few months ago my 2 percula clowns. In my original plan the sixline wrasse was added last in the tank, but now after I am a bit understocked I would like to get one or two more fish. The only problem is that the sixline is very aggressive toward every newcomer (but is absolutely fine with the old mates, one bicolor blenny and a chromis). Any suggestion on how to proceed? I considered taking the sixline out for few days and add it back afterwards but I never managed to catch any fish apart from sleeping clownfish, as soon as I take the net they hide in the rockwork. Are there fish that are sturdy and strong enough to hold against the sixline ? I have a 32g tank so nothing too big..

You can always try a tank divider and have the six line on one side and the newcomers on the other so they can establish themselves, if your rock work allows it. Or get a breeders net and set it up and add the new fish in the net for a few days then release him.

 

[KonradTO]

You can always try a tank divider and have the six line on one side and the newcomers on the other so they can establish themselves, if your rock work allows it. Or get a breeders net and set it up and add the new fish in the net for a few days then release him.

So basically they get used of each other and then they should not fight?
I think I could add a big breeder box on one side if its promising.
Would clowns be sturdy enough for a small sixline?

 

[NanoJHB]

In theory the clowns should be fine because they can be just as aggressive as the sixline and will be able to hold their own, but if they're anything like my pair of clowns (puppy's and complete wimps), the sixline could do some serious damage.

Try feeding the fish with a net in the tank for a few days, the wrasse will get comfortable with it after a couple days and it'll make it easy to catch. That's how I've managed to catch difficult fish in the past ( sixline included )

 

[Waters]

I would use an acclimation box for the new fish.......leave them in there for a few of days. Unfortunately in a smaller tank with the sixline, you might be fighting a losing battle. You might have to pull him out (you can try a trap or to use the lights off/on method.....which works 100% of the time as long as he doesn't bury himself in the rocks when he sleeps).

 

[KonradTO]

Aside from clownfish, what are the alternatives? I need some fish that will hold my sixline down and fit in a 32g tank.
I was thinking about getting another YGW, which should stay mainly in the cave so it should not be bothered by the sixline. Or another cave dweller. I liked the clowns because they were very active and were filling the points of the tank where nothing swims

 

[KonradTO]

I would use an acclimation box for the new fish.......leave them in there for a few of days. Unfortunately in a smaller tank with the sixline, you might be fighting a losing battle. You might have to pull him out (you can try a trap or to use the lights off/on method.....which works 100% of the time as long as he doesn't bury himself in the rocks when he sleeps).

Unfortunately the sixline is quite skittish. Even if I am around the tank I need to stay still for few seconds to see him hunting around again. Also, would keeping him in the sump for a week and then adding him back again to the DT after the other fish work?

 

[Waters]

Unfortunately the sixline is quite skittish. Even if I am around the tank I need to stay still for few seconds to see him hunting around again. Also, would keeping him in the sump for a week and then adding him back again to the DT after the other fish work?

After a couple of days of placing the trap in the tank, it will become second nature to the sixline. You can start placing the food inside the trap at feeding time to force the fish towards it. You can definately try banishing him to the sump for a while and reintroducing later. You can also try using a mirror to redirect his aggression or even rearranging the rockwork. Worst case you are just back to where you started. They can just be very difficult fish to keep when trying to add new livestock unfortunately.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

some good idea's above, but also need to accept you might be out of luck. 32 gallons is pushing the boundaries of comfortable tank size for 6 line, it may have claimed the tank to itself. In these cases the fish will accept the fish that were there already, but will not accept anything new.

Also remember that putting the net in the tank and chasing fish is extremely stressful to fish. Dont stress the fish too much or you might see the appearance of stress related disease.

 

[KonradTO]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I will try the suggested methods and hopefully it works. I am also fine at keeping 3 fish only in my tank in case, so its only about trying and see.
The last fish I tried to add were 2 black mollies which were absolutely banged by the sixline, I had to move them to the sump after few minutes. Unfortunately they did not even survive the acclimation process.
Also when my clowns where sick and I moved them to the QT tank, one of them seemed recovering so I put him back to the DT. I had a very similar response like above, the sixline would keep attacking the clown. It's a pity they are so aggressive, it's such a beautiful and useful fish.

 

[i cant think]

A much less aggressive species that looks similar to the six line is Pseudocheilinops ataenia. The six lines and actually all from the genus Pseudocheilinus are nightmares with aggression in anything less than a 3’ tank with 100s of LBS of rockwork.

I’d try a fish trap to remove the six line, then once he’s out put him into a small bucket with an air pump and try to rehome him

 

[MysticBlue]

So basically they get used of each other and then they should not fight?
I think I could add a big breeder box on one side if its promising.
Would clowns be sturdy enough for a small sixline?

Oh yes a good adult pair of clowns wouldn’t be bothered by a 6 line.

 

[SharkRacer]

@KonradTO - Did you ever rehome your wrasse?

I am having similar issues with a 6-line, he's chasing and nipping at my Fire Fish.

 

[KonradTO]

@KonradTO - Did you ever rehome your wrasse?

I am having similar issues with a 6-line, he's chasing and nipping at my Fire Fish.

Not yet. I have no heart to give it to a random lfs and I don't know any reefers in my area. I decided to wait and see what happens. Maybe I will get a bigger tank at some point. Also in my case it's not chasing other fish in the tank so there are no issues unless I want to get more fish. I am a bit understocked but I am dosing nitrates to compensate.