Help with my Wetmorella

[MrMorningstar]

I put a gold banded pygmy wrasse in my tank Monday, it is Sunday,

I have a royal gramma and a ywg+pistol,

The gramma was ofc initially territorial and didn't want the wrasse near its cave. The gramma is on the right side of tank

I put more rock in to create an area / cave with a decently tight entrance to separate from my gramma's territory in hopes he would explore and settle there. This is on the front left side of the tank.

However the wrasse has found the left back top corner near the surface and stays there all day. He does desend to rockwork level occasionally and he does eat, even the mysis shrimp I feed.

I don't know if I am just flapping but I assumed they naturally would want a cave to call home. Am I doing something wrong. I have changed rock positions a couple times in hopes he'd prefer it a different way round. This is what I settled on.

Blue Light photo as I don't want to spook him with high whites.

Any expertise appreciated!

 

[DaJMasta]

Hiding in a top corner is likely that they're being chased off when they try to go to a place they prefer. These little guys can hold their own, but they are also shy and yours is at the disadvantage of not being there first. If you can catch the gramma and keep it in an isolated, clear box for a day or two, that may help reset the territoriality dynamic. You could also try putting a mirror near the grammars area to try and distract it a bit.

Unless the possum wrasse is showing injuries, it's probably not a problem to leave it in, but make sure it's getting food and not being messed with in it's new corner, at least. They tend to be most active in the hour or two before lights out, so see if it's behavior changes then.

 

[MrMorningstar]

Hiding in a top corner is likely that they're being chased off when they try to go to a place they prefer. These little guys can hold their own, but they are also shy and yours is at the disadvantage of not being there first. If you can catch the gramma and keep it in an isolated, clear box for a day or two, that may help reset the territoriality dynamic. You could also try putting a mirror near the grammars area to try and distract it a bit.

Unless the possum wrasse is showing injuries, it's probably not a problem to leave it in, but make sure it's getting food and not being messed with in it's new corner, at least. They tend to be most active in the hour or two before lights out, so see if it's behavior changes then.

Thank you for alleviating my worries abit, the gramma doesn't actively chase it more just patrols the rock, and its showing no signs of injury, unfortunately I have no way to separate the gramma so I assume its a waiting game till they figure it all out.