Sixline Wrasse...does he stay or go?

I've had a sixline for a good while...this is my second. I had peace and harmony in the tank until I replaced a fish loss with a candy hogfish. I thought the sixline was going to be okay, but all of a sudden he has started attacking the candy hogfish again.

My big chance is this weekend. The tank transfer from my 46 to 90 will be done Saturday and the fish will be moved to the QT for a few hours.

My plan for the 90 is to add some reef-safe wrasses...fairy, flasher types and at the end, one Tomini tang. My one chance is this weekend. I'm worried that the sixline is going to be a problem in the 90, and I know I'd never get him out of there.

I'm strongly considering taking him back to my LFS...but I've had him for several years! I guess I could let him live in the QT for a few months...

Opinions?

 

Send him to the LFS, he will most likely be a problem with your other wrasses as well.

 

I agree. Unless you're emotionally attached to the sixline, give him back to the LFS or a local reefer. I'd rather have the collection of fish you listed (not to mention peace amongst them) than one six line wrasse.

 

I got rid of mine after i tried to add a yellow corris wrasse twice his size. Pretty much attacks as the new wrasse hit water and i had to spend the next 2 hours emptying out my tank trying to catch it never again.

 

I'd like to once again recommend the Gallon ziplock bag method.

Put the ziplock in- opened up where the fish may go.

Fish inherently run away from a net.

If he goes in, or near the opening of the bag, put the net in and it'll run away from the net, and go in or stay in the bag, lift the bag out. YOu can keep the net near the opening whie you do.

This has been a sure fire method, without moving any rocks, etc.

 

I guess I'm gonna be the odd ball but I say keep him. I have a sixline and a Solon wrasse in my 75g together and they do just fine. No problems and have been together for a long time now (about 6-7 months). The sixline did kinda try to chase the Solon around a little when I first got it but that only last about a week and the Solon beat the s*** out of the sixline and now they live in perfect harmony. You can usually see them swimming together quite often. So I guess it depends on what you're gonna put in there. Sixlines are naturally aggressive wrasses but it really depends on what other wrasses you will put in there as to whether they will stand up for themselves or let the little sixline rule the tank.

 

If you're ever to want other wrasses, you must remove it now.

 

Just a random question and I do apologize for hijacking your thread but what do these guys eat. I've had my sixline for a little over a year now and I have only seen him eat the food that I put in there a hand full or times. He's always darting around the tank inspecting the rocks and whatnot but I don't ever see him eat. He's very fat and healthy so he has to be eating something haha

 

Not an expert at all and have never kept a six line but I believe if evolved recommends to get him out, I would follow that advice. I think there are such a wonderful variety of beautiful wrasses and the six line doesn't compare - just my .02.

 

Todd, I'm going to try that method if I ever need to remove a fish again (hopefully not)!

Mine always eats the same frozen food the other fish in the tank eat...plus he picks at the rocks all day...but not for long!

I agree with the consensus here...I guess I needed some reassurance over what I needed to do. When I capture the fish for the tank transfer, the sixline will be making a trip to the LFS. I can't go through this every time I want to introduce a new fish!

He was a model citizen for a few years (he was added last) until my female O. clown died after 5 years in the tank. I replaced the O. clown with the hogfish a few weeks ago and the sixline was a bully. Things finally settled down (so I thought), but then yesterday, the sixline launched into another attack. Saturday is my chance to nab him!