View Full Version : Multiple six line wrasses?
Squanto804
07/08/2010, 05:42 AM
I have a 300 gal reef tank and had to six lines. One passed away and would like to add 2 more. Was not sure if six lines get aggressive if I add new ones after they have been in the tank for a while.
Thanks
RokleM
07/08/2010, 08:55 AM
Sixlines are notorious for being crazy. Even with one in a tank, for years one might coexist for years with other reef fish, then decide one day to try to kill everything. Personally, I would not mix multiples in the same tank, regardless of size (unless we're talking 1000g+).
fewskillz
07/08/2010, 09:31 AM
I had a pair that were accidentally together. One was a stow-away in some live rock from another tank. They lived together for almost 2 years before I lost one to a heater explosion. It's purely hit or miss and honestly not worth it. There are way better wrasses out there that will live together. I had a sixline in my old 125 that tried to run the tank, including bossing around 3 tangs. They are very evil little fish.
Sugar Magnolia
07/08/2010, 09:33 AM
I'll have to second what Eric said. Six lines are notorious for their agressive behavior. It's not a matter of IF it will happen, it's WHEN.
stanlalee
07/08/2010, 10:30 AM
I disagree. they are hit and miss with aggression but they dont neccesarily behave and go crazy like a trigger does. My sixline was the first fish in my tank (have had over two years) and has been in there for at least a year longer than the three other fish I currently have in there which are royal gramma, lawnmower blenny and ignitus anthias. doesn't bother anybody or harrass newcomers. Have had other timid newcomers (small fang blennies) that didn't make it but they werent harrassed by the sixline. he defends himself (he's been in a tank with spotted hawk and mean female clown) but doesn't start trouble. Its been over two years so if its a matter of when I'm not holding my breath.
scottbythesea
07/08/2010, 11:05 AM
I also disagree I have a male and female for six months or so and they are admist a bunch of tangs and are the most behaved fish I have besides a mandrin and a cooper But.
It maybe cause they spawn regularly as the lights dimm at night, the female seems to egg up quite frequently and they dance for a few then burst to the top and back to picking in my 125 display. They are very active and zig zag there way around continously.
Maybe i should breed my pair.
fewskillz
07/08/2010, 11:22 AM
Its been over two years so if its a matter of when I'm not holding my breath.Mine was a model citizen for almost 3 years before he snapped. I've never heard of anyone keeping a sixline long-term that didn't turn aggressive at some point. They're seriously evil little buggers, which is unfortunate because they are cool looking little fish. Get a fairy or flasher wrasse IMO. Prettier and friendlier.
jd474
07/08/2010, 03:57 PM
Maybe with one really big, and one really small. Otherwise, I've seen them destroy conspecifics in even 2000+ gal. tanks.
RokleM
07/09/2010, 06:33 AM
Mine was a model citizen for almost 3 years before he snapped. I've never heard of anyone keeping a sixline long-term that didn't turn aggressive at some point. They're seriously evil little buggers, which is unfortunate because they are cool looking little fish. Get a fairy or flasher wrasse IMO. Prettier and friendlier.
Same here. The longest one of mine went I think about almost 2.5-3 years before snapping. I'm 3 for 3 on the crazy scale. One became jerky, one went to my frag tank for pest control, one lived out the rest of the life in a large sump in isolation. Note, all three were in different tanks at different times with other fish. The worst one, I had to actually remove my black ocellaris (which took hours as they were in a 180 and good at hiding) because I was almost 100% sure the sixline was going to kill them overnight. Again, no clue what triggers it, but they are prone to literally one day just snapping. Very cool, but very evil fish. Great for pest control in places like covered frag tanks.
Those that have had luck the only thing I can say is "wow you're incredibly lucky and congrats" or "just wait" ;)
JuliusJames
07/09/2010, 06:51 AM
i had a pair that were accidentally together. One was a stow-away in some live rock from another tank. They lived together for almost 2 years before i lost one to a heater explosion. It's purely hit or miss and honestly not worth it. There are way better wrasses out there that will live together. I had a sixline in my old 125 that tried to run the tank, including bossing around 3 tangs. They are very evil little fish.
+1
JuliusJames
07/09/2010, 06:52 AM
i'll have to second what eric said. Six lines are notorious for their agressive behavior. It's not a matter of if it will happen, it's when.
+1
JuliusJames
07/09/2010, 06:55 AM
same here. The longest one of mine went i think about almost 2.5-3 years before snapping. I'm 3 for 3 on the crazy scale. One became jerky, one went to my frag tank for pest control, one lived out the rest of the life in a large sump in isolation. Note, all three were in different tanks at different times with other fish. The worst one, i had to actually remove my black ocellaris (which took hours as they were in a 180 and good at hiding) because i was almost 100% sure the sixline was going to kill them overnight. Again, no clue what triggers it, but they are prone to literally one day just snapping. Very cool, but very evil fish. Great for pest control in places like covered frag tanks.
Those that have had luck the only thing i can say is "wow you're incredibly lucky and congrats" or "just wait" ;)
+1
JuliusJames
07/09/2010, 06:59 AM
As you can see, I agree with a couple people in this thread. I had to remove all my rocks so I can catch mine because he killed hundreds of dollars worth of fish. And he was the smallest fish in my tank. I also agree that it is hit or miss as I've heard stories from local reefers that they kept peaceful ones. You just got to be incredibly lucky.
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