Blotches on Fairy Wrasse (1 Viewer)

[Gojjie24]

On Friday, I added a Bluethroat Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus cyanogularis) to my 65 gallon tank. Today, I noticed that it started to get some dark blotches on its head and along it's spine. I'm unclear as to why and want to make sure its not something I should be concerned about so asking for your thoughts/experience. Pics are below and may be slightly fuzzy cause it's damn hard to get a clear one of a super fast wrasse! hahaha

As far as tankmates, I have a small copperband, a lawnmower blenny, chalk basslet, 2 blue chromis and a pintail fairy wrasse (Cirrhilabrus isosceles). Everyone is getting along really well, so I don't believe that the Bluethroat is getting harassed.

Tank has been up and running since December with stable parameters.
PH-8.4
Alk-8.2
CA-470
MG-1251
Nitrates - .5 (Trying to slowly raise)
Phos - 1-1.2

 

[Crum]

Do they seem symmetrical on both sides of him?
Kinda just looks like some sort of stress markings. Wrasses colors vary so much it can be hard to tell. But doesn't seem like a disease or anything (yet - stress can be a precursor to disease)

New tanks are stressful. I could also imagine any of those fish besides the copperband being mean to him. But if you haven't seen anything then it could just be him settling in.

Is he eating well? Swimming normal, no bent spine?

 

[Fishfoo]

+1 likely just stress

 

[OldNemo]

Yeah that is normal coloring especially for non terminal males. Plus more than likely stressed. Keep an eye on it as they can be quite aggressive. That pintail could be a victim.

 

[Gojjie24]

Thank you! No bent spine and eating like a pig so I’ll wait and observe (#1 strategy in reefing it seems) to see how things go. I added the pintail a little before the blue throat so he would be a bit more established and hopefully mitigate aggression. So far they seem to be doing well, but definitely something I’ll watch closely.