Who Gives A Fish Forums

My Six Line Wrasse has been chasing my clownfish nonstop. Is this normal behavior or is it too aggressive? Tank is 40 gallons, been running for 6 months, params are stable, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 10 nitrate. Clownfish are paired, wrasse was added 2 weeks ago.

Six Line Wrasses can be territorial, especially in smaller tanks. A 40-gallon might be cutting it close if there's not enough rockwork for hiding spots. How's your aquascape? They're known to chill out if they have their own space. Also, how often are you feeding? Sometimes aggression spikes if they're hungry.

Yeah, mine was a total jerk at first too. Had to rearrange the rocks to break up his territory. Now he's cool with the other fish. Maybe try that if your scape allows it. Also, what kinda clownfish you got? Some are more timid than others.

Six Line Wrasses are known for their feisty nature, especially in confined spaces. A 40-gallon tank is on the smaller side for multiple semi-aggressive species. Ensure you have plenty of live rock for hiding and territory establishment. Monitor feeding times to reduce competition. If the aggression persists, consider rehoming one of the fish or upgrading the tank.

I've had similar issues with my Six Line. They're just wired to be a bit bossy. Adding more hiding spots helped a ton. Also, try feeding at different spots in the tank to distract the wrasse. Worked for me.

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'll try rearranging the rocks and see if that helps. The clownfish are Ocellaris, and I feed twice a day, mostly frozen mysis and pellets.

bunnyFlux wrote: ↑Fri Aug 29, 2025 2:39 pm Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'll try rearranging the rocks and see if that helps. The clownfish are Ocellaris, and I feed twice a day, mostly frozen mysis and pellets.

Ocellaris are usually pretty tough, so that's good. If the wrasse keeps it up, you might wanna try adding more live rock or even a temporary tank divider to give the clowns a break.

Yep, Ocellaris can handle some bullying, but it's still sketchy if the wrasse won't back off. Maybe try feeding the wrasse first to keep him busy while the clowns eat. Mine's a total pig, so that worked for me.

Feeding strategies can definitely help. Try target feeding the wrasse with a pipette to distract him. Also, ensure your water quality stays pristine, as stress from poor conditions can exacerbate aggression. Regular water changes and stable salinity are key.

akirien wrote: ↑Fri Aug 29, 2025 11:00 am Six Line Wrasses can be territorial, especially in smaller tanks. A 40-gallon might be cutting it close if there's not enough rockwork for hiding spots. How's your aquascape? They're known to chill out if they have their own space. Also, how often are you feeding? Sometimes aggression spikes if they're hungry.

Totally agree. My 55-gallon made a huge difference when I upgraded. More space means less drama.