David Haldane
Community Member
Hello all,
I’ve recently finished a QT on a new leopard wrasse. After feeding my DT heavy, I added it to my 60 gallon DT which has a Melanarus wrasse. The Melanarus has been present for two months. The Melanarus started to obsessively attack the leopard wrasse upon sight. I turned the lights off to calm them down a bit and the leopard burrowed for a few days. I’ve been watching every day when the lights come on for the leopard to surface, and it did this morning. After it surfaced, the Melanarus immediately started attacking it again. I am not sure how many times the leopard has attempted to surface when I’ve been at work during the week.
The two fish are of similar size, but the leopard is smaller. Both appear to still be females and are 2-3” in length.
I currently have the leopard in a specimen container box which I’ve drilled holes in to allow for water flow. I am doing so to keep it in the DT but separate it from the Melanarus. I fed it well this morning after separating them as I doubt it’s been able to eat while running from the Melanurus.
Can anyone give any advice in regard to getting these two to coexist? I was under the impression these were two peaceful wrasses which would easily cohabitate, but the Melanarus’ behavior was unexpected. The Melanarus also constantly forages and eats any food in sight to the point it’s belly is visibly distended. The leopard appears to be a very calm and well-tempered fish.
I appreciate your input
I’ve recently finished a QT on a new leopard wrasse. After feeding my DT heavy, I added it to my 60 gallon DT which has a Melanarus wrasse. The Melanarus has been present for two months. The Melanarus started to obsessively attack the leopard wrasse upon sight. I turned the lights off to calm them down a bit and the leopard burrowed for a few days. I’ve been watching every day when the lights come on for the leopard to surface, and it did this morning. After it surfaced, the Melanarus immediately started attacking it again. I am not sure how many times the leopard has attempted to surface when I’ve been at work during the week.
The two fish are of similar size, but the leopard is smaller. Both appear to still be females and are 2-3” in length.
I currently have the leopard in a specimen container box which I’ve drilled holes in to allow for water flow. I am doing so to keep it in the DT but separate it from the Melanarus. I fed it well this morning after separating them as I doubt it’s been able to eat while running from the Melanurus.
Can anyone give any advice in regard to getting these two to coexist? I was under the impression these were two peaceful wrasses which would easily cohabitate, but the Melanarus’ behavior was unexpected. The Melanarus also constantly forages and eats any food in sight to the point it’s belly is visibly distended. The leopard appears to be a very calm and well-tempered fish.
I appreciate your input
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