six line a Killer ?

ash9965 · Mar 23, 2017

I moved a few months back and in the process of the move I upgraded to a new tank . After the move a few fish just didn't survive it however my nearly 2 year old 6 line did. Since the move I have attempted to add about 6 different fish at different times but usually after a day or 2 they come up missing or dead . All of the original fish that made the move are alive and doing well . All water tests are normal. I have not seen any obvious signs of aggression from the 6 line when I am around but could it be possible he is killing them off one by one as I try adding them?? Thanks in advance

ngoodermuth · Mar 23, 2017

Yep, 6-lines are notorious for being nasty :/

Water Dog · Mar 23, 2017

The 6-line definitely did it.

ash9965 · Mar 23, 2017

strange thing he must be a silent / secret killer as when I am home he just swims around normally or darts and hides when I go close to the tank ???

Could he be sneaking up on them in the middle of the night ? Possibly an Alfred Hitchcock deal ?

psirex · Mar 23, 2017

Water Dog said:
The 6-line definitely did it.

In the study with a candlelight

ash9965 · Mar 23, 2017

all the original fish are fine ??

Water Dog · Mar 23, 2017

There is an established pecking order with the existing fish. New additions will be victims and easy pickings for the evil 6-line... ask me how I know.

ash9965 · Mar 23, 2017

Water Dog said:
There is an established pecking order with the existing fish. New additions will be victims and easy pickings for the evil 6-line... ask me how I know.

do tell

ash9965 · Mar 23, 2017

psirex said:
In the study with a candlelight

definitely in the dark

Water Dog · Mar 23, 2017

Started out like an absolute angel... got along with everything already in the tank. Once comfortable, he proceeded to kill every new addition. Stopped adding new fish then he started to pick on and the existing inhabitants. Thankfully, he tried to go carpet surfing while I was doing some water testing. Back to the LFS he went. I was dreading taking the tank apart to get him out. Shame too... great coloration and movement in the tank. Total jerk of a fish tho.

ash9965 · Mar 23, 2017

since you got rid of him any issues adding new fish ?

Maritimer · Mar 23, 2017

While not a six-line, I kept a murderous wrasse many years ago - a native Middle-Atlantic species called a cunner or bergall here in Connecticut. I've kept several over the years, and most were well enough behaved, but this one particularly despised silversides. Every time I added one (or several) to the tank, I'd see him peering up at them - and then he'd make a sudden rush . . .

It would be over in an instant, those sharp wrasse teeth burying themselves in the unfortunate silverside's heart. Every. Single. Time. I never saw another fish target its victims with such precision. He never ate one - but he never allowed one to live ten minutes in _his_ tank.

~Bruce

TheLadyCrash · Mar 23, 2017

I had one for about a week until my husband witnessed the wrasse bite my royal gramma in half. I called the LFS and they apologized profusely for telling me the 2 would be fine together. Ended up returning the little ****** and the LFS gave me a new rg, but it took me 5 hours of tearing the tank apart to get the ******* out.

buzzword · Mar 23, 2017

Only thing 6 lines are good for is patrolling your frag tank and eating pests.

Maacc · Mar 23, 2017

6 lines are really good solo pest cleaners in frag tanks, but are pure evil in community reef tanks. Try a melanurus instead.

SuperDragon · Mar 23, 2017

Wrasses can be mean depending the circumstance and individual attitude of each, like any fish. They are jumpers and I've had about 6 of them jump over the past 10 years. Good to keep a cover. I had to get rid of one because he was in beast mode all the time.
I've kept them before without issues with other fish.
I would try to trap it in a fish trap then ditch it (LFS) or keep it. If you decided to keep (for pests), keep it in the trap. I would get the fish you like settled for awhile... rearrange the rocks so it looks new. Then you can try again. GL!

donnievaz · Mar 23, 2017

Put a sexy shrimp in there and watch what happens. They're murderous little sob's. So much fun to watch though, loads of personality. Sort of like Ted Bundy LOL

Water Dog · Mar 24, 2017

Maritimer said:
While not a six-line, I kept a murderous wrasse many years ago - a native Middle-Atlantic species called a cunner or bergall here in Connecticut. I've kept several over the years, and most were well enough behaved, but this one particularly despised silversides. Every time I added one (or several) to the tank, I'd see him peering up at them - and then he'd make a sudden rush . . .

It would be over in an instant, those sharp wrasse teeth burying themselves in the unfortunate silverside's heart. Every. Single. Time. I never saw another fish target its victims with such precision. He never ate one - but he never allowed one to live ten minutes in _his_ tank.

~Bruce

That's funny Bruce. I hate bergalls too, but for very different reasons... They are notoriously annoying bait thieves during the fall and winter bottom fishing season when targeting blackfish and cod.

Slim_Okrug · Mar 24, 2017

Kill list by my six ( Ted Bundy ) line
3 x Valenciennea puellaris
2 x yellow wrasse
2 x dimidiatus ( cleaner wrasse )
1 x Nemateleotris magnifica
1 x Nemateleotris decora

But i love him so colorful and beautiful fish. Also it is active.