I'm a noob

[DominicGates]

Alright, I may have made a bad decision. We have kept a orchid Dottyback as our first fish, we added him Friday before last. Now last Friday we tested our parameters and decided to add another fish, we got a 6 line wrasse. I checked the live aquaria compatibility chart and it said with caution, I assumed that the Dottyback would be the aggressor because the tag at the store said the wrasse was a community fish. Our Dottyback has his own little cave and hangs out in there a lot. When we added in the wrasse there was a quick little fight and they both went to separate parts of the tank. Now when we feed and the Dottyback comes out of his cave the wrasse attacks him. We now have them separated with egg crate.
So with all if this being said I'm mostly wondering if I should take the wrasse or the Dottyback to my lfs. I'm assuming no amount of time will cure this behavior and it will eventually kill the Dottyback.
I feel pretty bad for making an uneducated decision, any advice is much appreciated.

 

[Humblefish]

How big is your DT? Both fish have a tendency towards aggression, but the dottyback is worse.

 

[DominicGates]

Its a 40 gal. I have read that the orchid Dottyback is supposedly the least aggressive of the species and it does appear to be the wrasse attacking the Dottyback. They're a mess.

 

[Humblefish]

Its a 40 gal. I have read that the orchid Dottyback is supposedly the least aggressive of the species and it does appear to be the wrasse attacking the Dottyback. They're a mess.

Honestly, I'd get rid of them both. There are far better choices for a 40 gal.

 

[Tori]

Honestly, I'd get rid of them both. There are far better choices for a 40 gal.

I really like the look of the six lines but I went with a yellow banded possum wrasse for my 20 gal. Definitely recommend it if you end up trading both in for a something less aggressive.

 

[DominicGates]

Thanks guys, I'd really like to see if the Dottyback is going to be aggressive towards a more peaceful fish before I just boot him but that may end up being the best solution.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Orchid dottybacks are pretty peaceful and will be fine with most tankmates in a 40. Sixline wrasses can be very aggressive. I would recommend getting rid of the sixline.

 

[Jimbo662]

I put an orchid in my 66g tank and have had no issues. There was a pair of clowns and a purple firefish already in the tank. The orchid went in at the same time as a red head solon wrasse, Talbot's damsel and tail spot blenny. The first couple of weeks the firefish made sure they knew he was boss but now everyone is living happily together.

 

[ahiggins]

Aww man, Im sorry to hear that. I have a clown, orchid, and 6 line (added in that order) and theyre all BFFs. I have never once seen any aggression. If someone new sees the clown and orchid, it honestly looks like theyre a pair-theyre always together.
Each one will be different with temperament, sorry you got the more aggressive turds. good luck

 

[Mark Shelly]

I have an orchid Dottyback and added it because Purple is my favorite color and it was supposed to be the least aggressive dotty back. It chassed a yellow wrasse for a week or so when I added that as it was a similar shape. Before I added a royal Gramma (one of the least aggressive basslets) I added a mirror outside the tank to keep the dottyback occupied. After a few weeks, everything was fine and all these fish get along. I have a tank full of rock and hiding places which I feel helps give the fish places to hide when desired.

 

[DominicGates]

Here is a video of them. I had egg crate in there but it didn't help the wrasse fits right through.

 

[Tori]

Here is a video of them. I had egg crate in there but it didn't help the wrasse fits right through.

Looks like the six line is the aggressor from that video. You may be ok just taking him back. Check out the pink streaked wrasse. It has a similar look to the six line but is extremely peaceful.