Orange Back Fairy Wrasse Problems

[ParticleMan]

Need some other opinions. I have had a pretty peaceful tank for the past few months with a YWG and Tiger Pistol Shrimp, Purple Firefish, a bonded pair of Mocha Vincci Clownfish and the Orangeback all living peacefully for since he was added 6 weeks ago. Throwing caution to the wind I did introduce a McCosker Flasher Wrasse having done some research and finding that he would be an ok addition with little chance of him causing problems from what I read. Well even though I never witnessed an actual attack by the Orangeback, I believe he bullied the McCosker as he would hide all day and only come out to feed then back into his hidy-hole. After about a week I think the stress must have been too much and he died. Now it seems the orange back has decided it wants to be tank boss and is starting to intimidate the purple fire fish who used to put up with him but now is hiding more as well. Last night I saw the orange back swimming in between the clowns almost as if daring them to fight. Not sure what might have happened, but it seems like a switch went off and the orange back is now an ******, darting around the tank pushing everyone around. The clowns and goby seem to be fine, but I'm concerned about the fire fish. Again, no physical attacks or nipping, just the swimming/daring behavior and harassing them. Any ideas on what I should do? I decided to start the mirror trick for about 10-15 mins, which did calm him down. My plan this weekend is to try and trap him if I can and put him in a timeout box for a while. Does any of this sound reasonable or should he just be relocated back to the LFS? Could this just be a phase? Here is a picture of the tank. All parameters are spot on, it's a 45gallon JBJ. Been running for about 4 months now and going through a bit of the ugly phase. Help is appreciated.

Average results, Nitrate and Phos fluctuate a bit, the others are pretty consistent as I do some dosing.

Ammonia : 0
Nitrate: 5
Nitrite: 0
Calc: 411
MAG: 1300
ALK 7.9
Phos: .08
Salinity 1.026
PH 8.2

 

[Fish Styx]

Hey there. Sorry to hear about the aggression issues you've been having, but I believe it may be due to cramped quarters. While your tank is lovely, it is a bit small for those fairy wrasses. I'm going to tag in an expert on wrasses, and hopefully he can provide some additional insight.

@Slocke you're up, Heathen.

 

[Slocke]

For an orangeback you usually need a 4’ tank minimum.

 

[ParticleMan]

So more about horizontal space rather than vertical. At 45 gallons everything I read seemed to indicate it would be fine. I believe I' am just shy of 36 inches horizontal, it's more of a cube. Guess I'll just go ahead and try and pull him out. Was hoping the mirror trick and/or putting him in a time-out box would work. He is a beautiful fish.