Pseudochromis bullying Wrasse

[mberher]

Hello! This is my first post here. I added a bicolor pseudochromis to my tank a few days ago. It seems to be bullying my Lubbock Wrasse... is this normal or will it end?

 

[Diesel]

Bicolor pseudochromis are strong territory fish and it might keep going.

 

[mberher]

Bicolor pseudochromis are strong territory fish and it might keep going.

Could he be trying to establish territory? I've had the Wrasse longer than the pseudochromis.

 

[Diesel]

Yes he could but the wrasse will get the point as well sooner or later and will stay away from him.

 

[mberher]

Ok. Thanks. I hope this doesn't become a huge issue. I only have those two and a pair of clowns in the tank.

 

[BlueCursor]

pseudochromis can be real mean fish. I had an orchid dotty back that ruled the tank. He was the tank bully . . . all 2 inches of him.

 

[mtraylor]

dotty backs are aggressive. If he was added last you might be ok. Hopefully they get along. Just keep in mind. You will no most likely be able to add any new wrasses are dosil fish, because they will get bullied. Keep in mind that wrasses are jumpers.

 

[mort]

This species of dottyback is not a great choice for a quiet community tank. It will severely limit your fish choice and probably get worse. I hope you have a lid as it may cause the wrasse to jump (Lubbocks can be pugnacious themselves so you have more chance of it working than with a more timid species).
I'd personally return the dotty and replace with a royal gramma if you want to keep the look.

 

[Maritimer]

Years ago, I had a purple pseudochromis and a tomato clownfish in a 55.

They were the _only_ fish I could keep in that 55.

Ever.

Everything else I tried to add was dead inside 24 hours.

Haven't succumbed to the temptation of a dottyback since. They're beautiful, but _so_ aggro!

~Bruce

 

[mberher]

I ended up returning the dottyback, my tank is now calm again!