Fish Conundrum

[ellebelle]

I have a pair of C. pylei fairy wrasses. I recently purchased a small female leopard wrasse - M. ornatus. I knew that the Pylei wrasses were a lot meaner than most other fairy wrasses, but I thought I would give it a try since the Leopard wrasses have such different coloration and body shape. Male couldn't care less about the leopard - he flashed at her a couple of times and then left her entirely alone. My female pylei wrasse was after the new leopard the minute the lights went on, to the point where she jumped over a clear plastic barrier I put up to get at her. After three days of this, I caught the leopard wrasse and gave her to someone I knew would provide her with a good home.

Here is my conundrum - do you think my female pylei wrasse was only that mean because the leopard was another Labrid, or do you think she will go after any other fish I try and put in my tank?

A few other facts that may or may not color your input:
- the female pylei was the last fish I added;
- the female and male pylei definitely court;
- I have seen behaviors from the male and female that indicate that if they had the space, they might spawn (but my tank is too short and they can't really complete their "dance") ;
- other tank mates are a royal gramma, tailspot blenny, and purple firefish and she does not bother any of them;
- my tank is a 40Br (36L x 18W x 16)

 

[KathyC]

Yup, you have yourself a conundrum.

After I just went through removing the Christmas Wrasse from Hell (same behavior, but not a possibly spawning pair which can be some of the meanest fish!), I recently added a Pink Pencil Wrasse and my Exquisite..who had been very laid back... is going after it. Go figure.

So my answer is...maybe

I'd try it with something other than a wrasse and see what happens. If her behavior is totally due to her wanting to mate, then it probably won't work out well... A Cardinal fish maybe?

 

[prattreef]

I'd say the behavior is very likely wrasse confined as evidenced by the lack of interest in the exceedingly wimpy firefish or other species in the tank.