Sudden wrasse aggression

[Formulator]

I have had a pair of ornate leopard wrasses (male and female) in my 120g for about 4 months now. They have always gotten along, kind of staying together, and I figured they would pair up and spawn eventually. This afternoon its like a switch was flipped and the male has been chasing the female around the tank relentlessly. Is this some part of courting behavior or what would cause this sudden change in behavior? Nothing has changed regarding water or physical environment. The system is almost 9 years old and I have a 20g fuge to keep pod populations up. There is plenty of food.

 

[Formulator]

Bump

 

[exnisstech]

@Slocke is very knowledgeable on wrasses and may be able to help out

 

[Slocke]

This is why it’s never recommended to keep multiple wrasse of the same species. Your female may be turning male as wrasse eventually do and the aggression may only get worse