Yellow Wrasse aggression

Baffels

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Apr 17, 2022
Messages
267
Reaction score
298
Location
San Diego, CA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Hey all!

Just got a leopard wrasse and my yellow wrasse is being a jerk. Can't tell if hes nipping, but is definitely chasing all over the tank. The leopard is now "hiding" in the front top of the tank. Anything I can do?
 
I would’ve recommended putting the new leopard in some sort of “introduction box” before adding it. I think they will figure it out soon.
 
If you can catch the yellow then sump him for a week or put in an acclimation box for a few days. Attach a mirror to the front of the tank.
 
This may die down on its own - You’ll probably find the wrasse is trying to establish a hierarchy. My two Halichoeres do it with their Wrasse tank mates and now everyone is scared of them - My fairies and flashers just go ham at displaying with eachother and pretty much ignore the two Halis.

I wouldn’t intervene until it is absolutely biting and nonstop heavy aggression towards the leopard.

My wrasses tend to do it with newbies, my Iridis is usually the only one who truly goes at it with new wrasses, and it usually dies down within a few days.
 
This may die down on its own - You’ll probably find the wrasse is trying to establish a hierarchy. My two Halichoeres do it with their Wrasse tank mates and now everyone is scared of them - My fairies and flashers just go ham at displaying with eachother and pretty much ignore the two Halis.

I wouldn’t intervene until it is absolutely biting and nonstop heavy aggression towards the leopard.

My wrasses tend to do it with newbies, my Iridis is usually the only one who truly goes at it with new wrasses, and it usually dies down within a few days.
Been a couple days now, but can't seem to find the leopard wrasse this morning. Should I be concerned or he might be hiding?
 
Been a couple days now, but can't seem to find the leopard wrasse this morning. Should I be concerned or he might be hiding?
I'd monitor the tank closely from afar throughout the day and see if your leopard comes out. You may see that the yellow has intimidated him into hiding (past experience with a goby that hid from a wrasse). If you absolutely cannot find him then you might want to consider removing the yellow wrasse and see if your leopard comes out of hiding. Or, turn over some rocks and see if he's alive. Best of luck!
 
I'd monitor the tank closely from afar throughout the day and see if your leopard comes out. You may see that the yellow has intimidated him into hiding (past experience with a goby that hid from a wrasse). If you absolutely cannot find him then you might want to consider removing the yellow wrasse and see if your leopard comes out of hiding. Or, turn over some rocks and see if he's alive. Best of luck!
I have a tank for the yellow to go into, but cant catch the little guy, lol
 
I have a tank for the yellow to go into, but cant catch the little guy, lol
Wrasses and dottybacks. Escape artists in my experience. Easiest way to catch is to remove all rocks, but this is difficult if the tank is too big. Only time I've caught a dottyback in less than a second was to wait for it to reach near the surface after I removed the top, and swoop in the net very quickly. Only worked once and both my coworker and I were very impressed lol
 
His favorite food in a proper trap. Use a long fishing line release. Patience. Don't dig up your rocks if they are full of corals. Wrasses can burry in the sand for a week or more.
 
His favorite food in a proper trap. Use a long fishing line release. Patience. Don't dig up your rocks if they are full of corals. Wrasses can burry in the sand for a week or more.
Good to know. I also don't want to mess my rocks up because I have two pistol shrimps in there somewhere. They get so angry... lol
 
Yellow coriss wrasse can be jerks? I just ordered a yellow thinking theyre non-jerks, since I hate 6 lines for being jerks. Lol
 
Been a couple days now, but can't seem to find the leopard wrasse this morning. Should I be concerned or he might be hiding?
Don’t mess with the sand bed. This just adds stress to an already stressed fish. Macropharyngodon can be rather delicate already so added stress may kill yours. If it’s absolutely urgent (I.E. sandbed change, tank upgrade) then it will be best for the fish however as it’s just aggression from hierarchy then it shouldn’t be too bad.
 
As already said, just leave them be. Disturbing an already stressed wrasse from the sandbed, only stresses them more, and with the the leopard being a rather delicate species to begin with, you don't need to stress it even more.

They are known to hide for weeks at a time. Often times coming out at night to hunt and feed while everyone else is sleeping.

Next time, buy an acclimation box. They are an absolute must when introducing new wrasses to already establishes wrasses.

Both of those 2 wrasses aren't known for aggression, the yellow more then likely was just trying to establish a hierarchy.


They will figure it out eventually.
 
As already said, just leave them be. Disturbing an already stressed wrasse from the sandbed, only stresses them more, and with the the leopard being a rather delicate species to begin with, you don't need to stress it even more.

They are known to hide for weeks at a time. Often times coming out at night to hunt and feed while everyone else is sleeping.

Next time, buy an acclimation box. They are an absolute must when introducing new wrasses to already establishes wrasses.

Both of those 2 wrasses aren't known for aggression, the yellow more then likely was just trying to establish a hierarchy.


They will figure it out eventually.
He's out right now, hiding behind the reefwave. The yellow keeps taking runs at him. I have an acclimation box coming tomorrow, if they are still having a spat, who should go in the box?
 

IF YOU HAD TO TAKE A REEFING EXAM, WOULD YOU PASS?

  • Yes!

    Votes: 32 45.7%
  • Not yet, but I have one that I want to buy in mind!

    Votes: 9 12.9%
  • No.

    Votes: 26 37.1%
  • Other (please explain).

    Votes: 3 4.3%
Back
Top