Odd fish relationships...?

Discussion in 'Tropical Fish' started by omard, Apr 25, 2008.

to remove this notice and enjoy 3reef content with less ads. 3reef membership is free.

  1. omard

    omard Gnarly Old Codfish

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2003
    Messages:
    4,745
    Location:
    Silverdale, Washington
    [​IMG]


    My Yellow Tang (Zebrasoma flavescens) and Hawaiian Flame Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus jordani) (male) had a unique interspecies relationship that I have never observed with other fish.

    Fish and shrimp, same fish type, yes...but totally different species, no :huh2:


    They were really inseparable. :sweethear

    Never more then 3 - 4 inches apart.

    Even during feedings.

    Always schooling together around tank.

    Tang tearing off pieces of algae strip for flame to eat.

    Even to point of sharing same crevice/cave in rock to stay in at night.

    Both were "in your face fish" that approached front of tank together whenever you went near it.

    Both easy going, mellow natured fish.

    Don't have many pics with just one or other as they were always together.


    Odd,

    Gotta get me another Flame someday. Tang seems lonely since flame loss. ::)



    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]




    Anyone else observed similar?
     
  2. Click Here!

  3. wildreef

    wildreef Stylophora

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2008
    Messages:
    978
    Location:
    Louisville, KY ( derby town )
    Well since you mention it i have noticed my juvinile hippo tang
    always is with the green chromis (7 of them ) and the hippo is only like 2 inches long.
    It's always with them and will sleep in the same areas with them

    I think it's just a built in "saftey in numbers thing"
    Also when feeding the hippo will tare at the algae strip from the clip and the green chromis is there to clean up after them .
     
  4. missionsix

    missionsix Super Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2007
    Messages:
    5,734
    Location:
    Bend,Oregon - USA
    I haven't seen anything like that OmarD. Very nice pics. Maybe they were snatched from the same reef and re-united in your tank j/k.
     
  5. luvreefs23

    luvreefs23 Millepora

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2008
    Messages:
    940
    my baby hippo tang likes to hang out with my flame hawkfish
     
  6. Executivelevel

    Executivelevel Peppermint Shrimp

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2008
    Messages:
    428
    Location:
    Detroit, Michigan
    i know what you mean, i had a blue hippo and a small niger trigger that were the same exact way as yours, and now i have a black lion and a huge porcupine puffer that sleep together and hang out together all the time. the puffer also comes and hangs out by the top of the tank whenever i come by and sits there while i pet him between the eyes, he loves it!!!! weird huh?
     
  7. omard

    omard Gnarly Old Codfish

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2003
    Messages:
    4,745
    Location:
    Silverdale, Washington

    Like this:

    [​IMG]


    Another:

    [​IMG]


    Pretty cool. 8)
     
  8. Click Here!

  9. BaxterS80

    BaxterS80 Pajama Cardinal

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2007
    Messages:
    1,426
    Location:
    Baltimore, MD
    Our Hippo Tang and Six line Wrasse are almost inseparable...
     
  10. suckafish

    suckafish Montipora Capricornis

    Joined:
    Mar 15, 2008
    Messages:
    1,048
    Location:
    monterey...cali
    my purple firefish wont leave the side of my paired black clowns. happy little threesome. i even put a regular firefish in the tank. but the 3 "clowns" dont pay much attention to the new firefish, who looks confsed everytime he comes out. as if asking "why does that firefish think he is a clown.