What is this thing?

[fishdoc]

I have a six line wrase that is getting mugged by a fish that was supposed to be a splendid pseudochromis. I looked different from the day he was added to the tank but I thought his colors would lighten up once he was settled. Now he is like a shark attacking anything the wrase relentlessly. The online store I purchased the fish from I have had some problems and now I am concerned they didn;'t even send the fish I asked for. Any idea what this fish is and do you think he will calm down? Was added ~3wks ago. Thanks.

55G
65lbs LR
BHT
2 Percula Clowns
six line wrase
?splendid Pseudochromis
Coral banded shrimp
Snails/Hermits

 

[Fluff]

I don't know alot about pseudochromis but yours does carry alot of the same features as the splendid. Perhaps it will change as it matures. As for the behavior, I believe that is pretty typical territorial behavior for the species. In a tank that size, I would think there would be enough territory for both the dottyback and wrasse but it's apparent he doesn't see it that way. Maybe rearranging the rockwork if that's possible, may help reset boundaries.

 

[neilster1]

That looks like some kind of basslet....

 

[DaLoach]

psuedochromis-yes. splendens-no. no eye stripe
P. novaehollandiae is my best guess

 

[Fluff]

I did some more searching and found one called a steen's dottyback that looks alot like yours. P. steenei. You can find a picture here.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-02/hcs3/index.php

Also, read the caption under the photo. Needs a species only tank or they will make it so....
Sounds like the aggression you are witnessing.

 

[fishdoc]

Thanks for the info. I did some research myself and I think it is a variant of the Sri-lanka dottyback. I finally convinced the online site to refund my money for sending the wrong fish. He maintains that young S.P can look like this, but never produced any proof. Anyway the aggression seems improved since moving the rocks. I don't know if I am going to keep him, the colors are dark and he hides in the LR all day. Thanks again.