Splended dottyback & melanurus wrasse

[TwentyfiveCents]

Ok so I just got a small maybe 2 1/2 " melanurus wrasse and my splended dottyback keeps coming out to harras him......should I be worried and try to remove one of them or will this get solved by itself? The dottyback is about the same size

The wrasse has fought back and held his own so far but I just got him and dont want him to die from stress

 

[ndrwater]

How big is the tank 1st off?
Depending in tank size, I would expect them to sort things out

 

[TwentyfiveCents]

Its a 90g I guess tall, 4 L - 24 H - 18 W

 

[TwentyfiveCents]

Right now the dottyback wont let the wrasse roam the rocks and thats exactly what I want the wrasse to do

 

[Osidedude]

I always say let nature take its course...you may want to get a small cube that hooks to the side of your tank to acclimate your new fish in
for a few days so the other fish can see them but not pick on em.

 

[TwentyfiveCents]

Thats a good idea but knowing me i would turn somthing like that to an expensive project [emoji37]

 

[Maritimer]

Dottybacks have a bit of a reputation - and in my experience, it's fully justified.

Keep a sharp eye on their interactions, and if the dotty doesn't let up, you may have to pull one fish for a time-out. (My choice would be the dotty, at this point.)

Osidedude's idea of a Social Acclimation Box is a good one - project or not, you'll want one in the future, if you intend to keep the dottyback.

~Bruce

 

[ca1ore]

Splendid dotties are not worth the hassles. I had one and got rid of it - loads of attitude in a mostly unattractive and decidedly un-splendid package. Orchid a much better choice.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Dottybacks can be pretty territorial, especially to wrasses. I'm not sure it will ever settle down.