Hey all, I'm not sure if my fish are having aggression issues or if this is normal behaviour. Any advice is appreciated!
I recently downsized from a 24g to a Fluval 13.5. In it I have plenty of live rock with many crevices, tunnels, and hideyholes, my corals (mostly small except for a "large" toadstool), and two fish: a pajama cardinalfish and six-line wrasse. They were together in my 24g tank for about 2 years, however that tank was in a different, in-frequented room so I can't tell if this is "normal" behaviour for the two.
The PJ spends his time in the more open sections of the tank. I have noticed that he seems to antagonize the wrasse by charging and nipping (?) at the wrasse. He does this often enough that it almost looks like he's actively waiting/searching for the wrasse. The wrasse, in response, will either dart off into the rockwork or flair up and turn sideways while standing his ground. Occasionally the wrasse will make several "pecks" at the PJ after being charged. These pecks don't seem to make physical contact with the PJ, who appears unfazed by this. I don't believe I have seen the wrasse initiate any charges at the PJ.
So far they've been together about 2-3 weeks. I have not seen any physical damage on either fish (sores, ripped fins, etc), and both are eating well. The PJ sometimes shows food aggression, but I've been spreading out their food a bit more and that is helping.
I guess I just need reassurance that it's in my best interest to get rid of the PJ. I'm reluctant to do so as he was my first fish, however the wrasse is by far my more favorite species, so I don't want to choose between the two.
I recently downsized from a 24g to a Fluval 13.5. In it I have plenty of live rock with many crevices, tunnels, and hideyholes, my corals (mostly small except for a "large" toadstool), and two fish: a pajama cardinalfish and six-line wrasse. They were together in my 24g tank for about 2 years, however that tank was in a different, in-frequented room so I can't tell if this is "normal" behaviour for the two.
The PJ spends his time in the more open sections of the tank. I have noticed that he seems to antagonize the wrasse by charging and nipping (?) at the wrasse. He does this often enough that it almost looks like he's actively waiting/searching for the wrasse. The wrasse, in response, will either dart off into the rockwork or flair up and turn sideways while standing his ground. Occasionally the wrasse will make several "pecks" at the PJ after being charged. These pecks don't seem to make physical contact with the PJ, who appears unfazed by this. I don't believe I have seen the wrasse initiate any charges at the PJ.
So far they've been together about 2-3 weeks. I have not seen any physical damage on either fish (sores, ripped fins, etc), and both are eating well. The PJ sometimes shows food aggression, but I've been spreading out their food a bit more and that is helping.
I guess I just need reassurance that it's in my best interest to get rid of the PJ. I'm reluctant to do so as he was my first fish, however the wrasse is by far my more favorite species, so I don't want to choose between the two.