I have two Wetmorella nigropinnata (yellow band possum wrasse) in a 150g tank along with one Wetmorella albofasciata (white band possum wrasse). The larger yellow band and the white band have been together for about 5-6 years. They have always gotten along great until recently. I added a small yellow band last November.
In the last two months the larger yellow band has begun to be aggressive toward the white band even biting a chunk out of its tail. I am not sure what is going on. They are in a community reef tank with a lot of space.
Then a couple of evenings ago at about 5:30PM I noticed the two yellow band wrasses high up in the water column and in an area of higher flow swimming up and down. The larger fish appeared to be trying to guide the smaller fish around by pushing on its back with its mouth. The smaller fish was a very deep gray color. This is a color I have never seen from these fish before.
Does anyone know if this might be a courting demonstration? Could this also be the reason that the larger yellow band wrasse has been aggressive with the white band wrasse?
Thank you in advance for your thoughts.
In the last two months the larger yellow band has begun to be aggressive toward the white band even biting a chunk out of its tail. I am not sure what is going on. They are in a community reef tank with a lot of space.
Then a couple of evenings ago at about 5:30PM I noticed the two yellow band wrasses high up in the water column and in an area of higher flow swimming up and down. The larger fish appeared to be trying to guide the smaller fish around by pushing on its back with its mouth. The smaller fish was a very deep gray color. This is a color I have never seen from these fish before.
Does anyone know if this might be a courting demonstration? Could this also be the reason that the larger yellow band wrasse has been aggressive with the white band wrasse?
Thank you in advance for your thoughts.