Fish aggression biting what to do

[jadedog]

Hello,

I added a blue chin fairy wrasse to my tank two days ago. I have a bicolor blenny, clown pair and a bangai cardinal. I would notice my bicolor blenny kinda pester the wrasse and sometimes the wrasse would briefly chase for a few seconds. Today ive noticed my bicolor seems to be missing a part of his scales. He still active and doesn't seem afraid of the wrasse at all and still kinda following him around the tank. Do I need to step in at this point? The wrasse is only two days in the tank do I give it more time? In the wrasse defense it doesn't seem like its hunting the blenny. It seems like the blenny is way more interested in the wrasse but I dont wanna lose my blenny.

 

[jadedog]

Pic of missing scale

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hello,

I added a blue chin fairy wrasse to my tank two days ago. I have a bicolor blenny, clown pair and a bangai cardinal. I would notice my bicolor blenny kinda pester the wrasse and sometimes the wrasse would briefly chase for a few seconds. Today ive noticed my bicolor seems to be missing a part of his scales. He still active and doesn't seem afraid of the wrasse at all and still kinda following him around the tank. Do I need to step in at this point? The wrasse is only two days in the tank do I give it more time? In the wrasse defense it doesn't seem like its hunting the blenny. It seems like the blenny is way more interested in the wrasse but I dont wanna lose my blenny.

Isolation in an acclimation box or sump will be you answer, at least for now

 

[jadedog]

Isolation in an acclimation box or sump will be you answer, at least for now

Does it matter which one? Both will be hard to catch but id imagine the blenny would be worse

 

[vetteguy53081]

Does it matter which one? Both will be hard to catch but id imagine the blenny would be worse

Best is to isolate the aggressor which will become less territorial

 

[jadedog]

Best is to isolate the aggressor which will become less territorial

Would the blenny be the aggressor since hes following around the wrasse? It seems like the wrasse is acting in defense but also the blenny doesn't seem to be going for bites. Sorry for the questions

 

[blazn]

Yes, your blenny is the aggressor in this case. I've had several fairy wrasses and they've never been aggressive, if anything they're too passive. These two might get their hierarchy figured out on their own, but if it continues, you should attempt to isolate your blenny and/or move the rocks around some in your display tank to interfere with the blenny's claimed territory.

 

[jadedog]

Yes, your blenny is the aggressor in this case. I've had several fairy wrasses and they've never been aggressive, if anything they're too passive. These two might get their hierarchy figured out on their own, but if it continues, you should attempt to isolate your blenny and/or move the rocks around some in your display tank to interfere with the blenny's claimed territory.

It seems this is the case since the wrasse doesn't bother any other fish. My blennys barnacle is like where the wrasses patrol so maybe moving it could help? Thanks

 

[blazn]

It seems this is the case since the wrasse doesn't bother any other fish. My blennys barnacle is like where the wrasses patrol so maybe moving it could help? Thanks

Yes, if you're able to move the blenny's barnacle to a position where the wrasse is less likely to get close to, that may resolve the issue. Blenny's certainly can be territorial of their 'home'.

 

[jadedog]

Yes, if you're able to move the blenny's barnacle to a position where the wrasse is less likely to get close to, that may resolve the issue. Blenny's certainly can be territorial of their 'home'.

Ok i will do this when im home. I noticed the blenny tries to go for bites when the wrasse gets close to his home which triggers the wrasse to be aggressive. Thanks so much

 

[jadedog]

I ended up removing the blenny. I watched over an hour and he seemed to he the main aggressor he will now live in my 15gal because I would never get rid of him

 

[blazn]

I'm glad you have an alternative tank for your blenny. I don't blame you for not wanting to 'get rid of him', as blennies are favorites of mine. I've always kept a Midas blenny and currently have my first Tailspot blenny. Fortunately they get along very well.

 

[jadedog]

I'm glad you have an alternative tank for your blenny. I don't blame you for not wanting to 'get rid of him', as blennies are favorites of mine. I've always kept a Midas blenny and currently have my first Tailspot blenny. Fortunately they get along very well.

I absolutely love him and I feel bad for moving him to a smaller tank. I tried moving the barnacle and it didnt work at all. Good news he is currently inside his barnacle in the 15gallon. Id like to maybe add a small passive fish with him in due time but idk. Im glad all your blennys get along!! I might be crazy but im kinda considering a midas blenny for my big tank since my bicolor is removed. Not sure if the wrasse and a midas will get along tho. Thanks for helping me determine the aggressor i was judging the fairy wrasse just because he was bigger but when I took a closer look I figured it out.

 

[blazn]

Don't give up on having your blenny in you main tank just yet. I'd give him at least 2 weeks in the smaller tank and then move him and his barnacle back to your main tank. Since the dynamics will have changed, as the blenny would no longer the 'resident boss' of your main tank, the blenny may not act aggressively anymore. If he does, you can simply put him back in the smaller tank, but there is a decent chance that separation can break the aggressive cycle. Good luck!

 

[jadedog]

Don't give up on having your blenny in you main tank just yet. I'd give him at least 2 weeks in the smaller tank and then move him and his barnacle back to your main tank. Since the dynamics will have changed, as the blenny would no longer the 'resident boss' of your main tank, the blenny may not act aggressively anymore. If he does, you can simply put him back in the smaller tank, but there is a decent chance that separation can break the aggressive cycle. Good luck!

Oh cool I didnt think about that! I'll let the wrasse get established for awhile then I'll try again. Thanks for all the advice man!!

 

[Lavey29]

Move you rocks around slightly to create a small change in your scape. Tape a mirror to the front of the tank for 3 days and see if this helps