Flasher wrasse getting picked on a bit

[LukeSivyer45]

Hi everyone, I got a linespot flasher wrasse a 4 days ago and everything was fine up until yesterday where my female clown would occasionally chase him causing him to jump or swim really fast. This morning it was happening again so I put the female clownfish in timeout but the wrasse is still skittish of the male clownfish. He is swimming in the water column and seems to be healthy as he eats a lot. Do i keep the clownfish in the acclimation box for a period of time and see how it goes or will the wrasse be too shy to hold its own and I return it?

 

[fushi]

Hi everyone, I got a linespot flasher wrasse a 4 days ago and everything was fine up until yesterday where my female clown would occasionally chase him causing him to jump or swim really fast. This morning it was happening again so I put the female clownfish in timeout but the wrasse is still skittish of the male clownfish. He is swimming in the water column and seems to be healthy as he eats a lot. Do i keep the clownfish in the acclimation box for a period of time and see how it goes or will the wrasse be too shy to hold its own and I return it?

It’s hard for people to give you their thoughts and recommendations without more information.
Could you provide:
Tank Size
Other tank inhabitants
Pictures of the tank in white light

But the quick answer is maybe; flasher wrasses are more skittish than clowns.

The normal procedure for adding new fish would be to put the new fish in the acclimation box until everyone else in the tank gets used to it (a few days to a week or so).

If your tank is small and doesn’t have a lot of hiding places for all the fish they will get stressed out, jump, fight over territory, etc.

It also takes time for fish to get to know your the source of food and want to swim out in the open when your staring at them.

 

[LukeSivyer45]

It’s hard for people to give you their thoughts and recommendations without more information.
Could you provide:
Tank Size
Other tank inhabitants
Pictures of the tank in white light

But the quick answer is maybe; flasher wrasses are more skittish than clowns.

The normal procedure for adding new fish would be to put the new fish in the acclimation box until everyone else in the tank gets used to it (a few days to a week or so).

If your tank is small and doesn’t have a lot of hiding places for all the fish they will get stressed out, jump, fight over territory, etc.

It also takes time for fish to get to know your the source of food and want to swim out in the open when your staring at them.

Sure thing, I am at work right now but I can upload photos later.

The tank is a 20 gallon (i am aware this long term is not good for the wrasse and it will be going into a larger tank I just thought a smaller tank would be better for me to observe it and fatten it up). As for tankmates its just the pair of clowns, a trochus snail, a tuxedo urchin, cleaner shrimp and a nassarius snail. My tank does look quite clean because it is about 2 months old after transferring everything from an old tank.

I do have large spaces of open water in the aquascape but there are lots of hiding spaces in the rock and the wrasse has its own cave which it seems to sleep in undisturbed. I find the aggression weird because the clownfish isn’t beating on it all the time it will just occasionally go up to it. I usually picture aggression as the fish will non stop be harassed but then again I have never had aggressive fish in the past so.

 

[kevgib67]

I added a new wrasse about 7-8 months ago and my female clown would chase it when it came into her territory. The wrasse kept going into her territory and I thought, it’s like the wrasse is having fun ( the wrasse could swim circles around my big fat female clown). My oldest son was watching the tank and said he thought the wrasse thought it was playing a game. Things have settled down since.

 

[LukeSivyer45]

I added a new wrasse about 7-8 months ago and my female clown would chase it when it came into her territory. The wrasse kept going into her territory and I thought, it’s like the wrasse is having fun ( the wrasse could swim circles around my big fat female clown). My oldest son was watching the tank and said he thought the wrasse thought it was playing a game. Things have settled down since.

Thats interesting. Yea the wrasse is definitely faster than the clowns but sometimes i see it jumping out the water to avoid the clownfish which is just a bit disturbing

 

[LukeSivyer45]

 

[kevgib67]

Beautiful wrasses, since you don’t have coral mounted everywhere maybe rearrange the rock work before putting the clowns back in.

 

[Tikki]

Clownfish can be real territorial and the wrasse is very peaceful. If that’s the only other fish you have they may focus on the newcomer. For sure the wrasse will jump out if given the opportunity so you’ll want to keep your cover on. Moving the rocks around like the other person suggested may help.

 

[LukeSivyer45]

Beautiful wrasses, since you don’t have coral mounted everywhere maybe rearrange the rock work before putting the clowns back in.

Sure thing! Some of the rock doesn’t have too many hiding areas so should i either break into rubble or try glue it and make a new structure? I tried photographing with an actual camera for the first time which was quite difficult as he can’t sit still but I really love this wrasse, it was sold as a hi fin dwarf parrot but I am pretty sure it is a line spot flasher wrasse

 

[kevgib67]

Sure thing! Some of the rock doesn’t have too many hiding areas so should i either break into rubble or try glue it and make a new structure? I tried photographing with an actual camera for the first time which was quite difficult as he can’t sit still but I really love this wrasse, it was sold as a hi fin dwarf parrot but I am pretty sure it is a line spot flasher wrasse

Yes, try and create as many hiding spots, good luck and keep this thread updated.