I have a 6-7" Ruby Headed Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus cyanopleura) that I have had for several years. Recently upgraded the tank in late Jan. Fish have been stable. A week ago, after having to reaquascape to catch a murderous yellow tang, I added a much smaller Solon Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus solorensis). About a day or two later, my very active Ruby bolted to the rocks, where he has been ever since. There was zero aggression between the fish, and the size differential is enormous. There is a carpenter's wrasse in the tank as well, along with a bunch of tangs and other fishes.
The first few days, I only saw the wrasse peeking out of rocks and I assumed he was sick and that I needed to do last rites. However, he is starting to come out more and is feeding. Does not have any visible issues. But definitely not swimming boldly around like before - he was the showoff of the tank.
The shop where I got the Solon wrasse is the same shop I have gotten 90% of my fish, including the other wrasses. They quarantine with copper for 2 weeks before they sell their fish and I trust that they do it seriously. The only other fish in the tank went through an exhaustive quarantine procedure.
Any ideas what is going on? Is this sick behavior? Wrasse-wrasse interactions? Some weird wrasse thing that I'm unaware of? Coronavirus?
Many thanks, Ed
The first few days, I only saw the wrasse peeking out of rocks and I assumed he was sick and that I needed to do last rites. However, he is starting to come out more and is feeding. Does not have any visible issues. But definitely not swimming boldly around like before - he was the showoff of the tank.
The shop where I got the Solon wrasse is the same shop I have gotten 90% of my fish, including the other wrasses. They quarantine with copper for 2 weeks before they sell their fish and I trust that they do it seriously. The only other fish in the tank went through an exhaustive quarantine procedure.
Any ideas what is going on? Is this sick behavior? Wrasse-wrasse interactions? Some weird wrasse thing that I'm unaware of? Coronavirus?
Many thanks, Ed