Pygmy angelfish bulling new tank mate

[SexyKillerWhale]

Hey everyone,

Picked up a fairy wrasse today and my pygmy angelfish is bulling it to no end - Wondering whether they will stop this behavior after they have "established their territory" or if I'm going to have to relocate the angelfish - Any insight is appreciated - Thank you in advance!

 

[Postullio]

No way to really know untill it happens. Its usually best to add the pygmy last as it has a much better chance of not bullying. Also depend on tank size. More room higher chance if it stopping. I added mine last and it never happened and he's friend with everyone

 

[albano]

Probably best to rearrange rockwork, so they both are in ‘new territory’

 

[SexyKillerWhale]

Probably best to rearrange rockwork, so they both are in ‘new territory’

Took your advice and rearranged everything. Angelfish went right back to harassing the **** out of the new guy

 

[SaltyT]

Which fairy wrasse did you add to your tank?

 

[Tamberav]

Sometimes fish calm down but its possible this behavior will not stop until the wrasse is dead. Pygmy angelfish are semi aggressive.

 

[SexyKillerWhale]

Which fairy wrasse did you add to your tank?

Lubbocks

 

[SaltyT]

Lubbocks

Great wrasse, they aren’t pushovers but they’re not tough either. How’s the aggression level today?

 

[G Santana]

All the bullying I have seen has died down within a few days, but if it goes beyond that, you may have a serious problem.

 

[SexyKillerWhale]

Great wrasse, they aren’t pushovers but they’re not tough either. How’s the aggression level today?

He's either hiding or dead. Can't find him at all. If the bullying continues, I'll take him back to the lfs as I don't want to harm him. Very sad, he seems like such a docile/calm wrasse

 

[SaltyT]

He's either hiding or dead. Can't find him at all. If the bullying continues, I'll take him back to the lfs as I don't want to harm him. Very sad, he seems like such a docile/calm wrasse

If you don’t see a body then (fingers crossed) he’s probably hiding. I agree with your plan. If the aggression continues to the level that the wrasse can’t come out to eat or is taking damage then it’s time to remove one of them.

 

[SexyKillerWhale]

If you don’t see a body then (fingers crossed) he’s probably hiding. I agree with your plan. If the aggression continues to the level that the wrasse can’t come out to eat or is taking damage then it’s time to remove one of them.

Haven't seen him all day. No sightings at either feedings. Just saddened that he might be dead :/ I feel terrible.

 

[SaltyT]

Haven't seen him all day. No sightings at either feedings. Just saddened that he might be dead :/ I feel terrible.

Let’s hope for the best, but is there any chance the wrasse could’ve jumped out of your tank?

 

[Sam816]

get the angelfish out & see if the wrasse peaks out.

 

[SexyKillerWhale]

Let’s hope for the best, but is there any chance the wrasse could’ve jumped out of your tank?

Mesh net on top and still checked. Nothing.

 

[SexyKillerWhale]

get the angelfish out & see if the wrasse peaks out.

Now to try and catch him - impossible feat l, but here we go

 

[SexyKillerWhale]

Update. He has come out of hiding. Is in the top corner of the tank and won't really budge. If he ventures out to far, he gets nipped at again. Not sure whether to let then sort it out or just take him back to the lfs. I want to do the responsible thing as a pet owner.

 

[SexyKillerWhale]

I'm going to see if the other fish will allow him to exist anywhere else in the tank over the course of the day. If not, I'll take the poor guy back.

 

[jaganshi066]

I have a flameback and any fish that is added afterwards is dead regardless of size. I tried a flasher wrasse and he was running away like a shark was chasing him

 

[SaltyT]

Update. He has come out of hiding. Is in the top corner of the tank and won't really budge. If he ventures out to far, he gets nipped at again. Not sure whether to let then sort it out or just take him back to the lfs. I want to do the responsible thing as a pet owner.

I'm going to see if the other fish will allow him to exist anywhere else in the tank over the course of the day. If not, I'll take the poor guy back.

Glad to hear that he's still alive. Have you witnessed the wrasse eating since he's been in your tank? Is he still confined to the top corner or are the others letting him swim around a little?