Coral Beauty vs Melanurus

HumbleFish · 03/07/2013, 03:15 PM

I introduced a 4-5" Melanurus wrasse to my 150 gal mixed reef a few months ago. Other fish include a PB tang, Blonde Naso, Lemonpeel angel, pair of Maroon clowns, Firefish, Royal Gramma, and a 3-4" Coral Beauty angel.

From Day 1 the Melanurus and CB started scrapping. Both fish show no aggression towards anything else. I figured it would eventually subside, but three months on they are still having these skirmishes. It actually seems to be intensifying lately with ripped fins, cuts on their skin, etc.

Anyone else ever have this experience? Is this a "your color is too close to mine" sorta thing that's never going to get resolved unless I separate them? TIA

Dmorty217 · 03/07/2013, 08:14 PM

Which one seems to be the aggressor? Whichever one that is I would try to catch and re acclimate to your tank and move around the rock work where that fish usually hangs out and it should stop the problem. Seems weird since their body shapes aren't similar

HumbleFish · 03/07/2013, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dmorty217

Which one seems to be the aggressor?

My wife swears it's the Melanurus, but I've seen times when the CB will actually pursue him. So, I think the Melanurus is just standing his ground. I wouldn't mind it if the CB took my coral nipping Lemonpeel out.

03/07/2013, 03:15 PM	#1
HumbleFish Moved On Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 4,757	Coral Beauty vs Melanurus I introduced a 4-5" Melanurus wrasse to my 150 gal mixed reef a few months ago. Other fish include a PB tang, Blonde Naso, Lemonpeel angel, pair of Maroon clowns, Firefish, Royal Gramma, and a 3-4" Coral Beauty angel. From Day 1 the Melanurus and CB started scrapping. Both fish show no aggression towards anything else. I figured it would eventually subside, but three months on they are still having these skirmishes. It actually seems to be intensifying lately with ripped fins, cuts on their skin, etc. Anyone else ever have this experience? Is this a "your color is too close to mine" sorta thing that's never going to get resolved unless I separate them? TIA

03/07/2013, 08:14 PM	#2
Dmorty217 Saltwater Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Vandalia OHIO Posts: 11,624	Which one seems to be the aggressor? Whichever one that is I would try to catch and re acclimate to your tank and move around the rock work where that fish usually hangs out and it should stop the problem. Seems weird since their body shapes aren't similar