4 stripe damsel aggression

[Bugger]

I've had this fish for 5 years now and he lives with a azure damsel but Im afriad to add more fish. Should I remove the fish or can I just over load the tank with fish and let him get sick of chashing the new fish
IMG_1260 by john, on Flickr

 

[Flippers4pups]

I've had this fish for 5 years now and he lives with a azure damsel but Im afriad to add more fish. Should I remove the fish or can I just over load the tank with fish and let him get sick of chashing the new fish
IMG_1260 by john, on Flickr

Unfortunately this is the case with most damsels. At first they may be docile but then become Holy Terrors later as they mature. If you wish to add any other fish, sadly, you have to re-home the Damsel.

No matter how many other fish you add, the damsel will become Territorial and kill one by one the other fish.

 

[mike werner]

I have had large ones and added larger fish(tangs and angels) with no problem.if ya wish to add smaller anthias dottybacks ect.you need to get rid of him.you can always add a smaller one once the stocking is complete but prettier choices are available.

 

[Bugger]

I've had him for five years he's family

 

[User1]

I hear the concern but if you don't want to rehome then you need to wait until the tank matures a bit more. I'm not sure if this is a fish only or mixed reef. Damsels get a bad rap and are not really that bad say compared to a six line wrasse. Yes, they can be aggressive but you just happen to have bought something in the Dascyllus family, which the 4 stripe is, compared to the other damsel you have which is an Azure in the Chrysiptera family.

Chrysiptera are a bit more tolerable with regards to multiple damsels - check out Ca1ore's 450 gallon - he has 30 or 40 of them in there. My point is that they are a bit territorial, defensive, aggressive, and need places for refuge and sleeping. Even nesting. I've kept 3 azures and 3 Talbots in my 40 breeder before. I have also had a breeding pair of azures then one day after a bubble tip spawning while at worked it mucked up the water, overflowed the skimmer, and the fish struggled to breath. I caught it when I got home, emergency water change, when the fish came two - the two azures who are a pair fought to the death. Go figure.

Looking at the tank image you posted the 4 stripe is pretty big. I don't think there is enough rock or mature coral (if reef) for any more damsels. Without room, hiding, coral race ways it wouldn't end up well. Nice fish though and it looks healthy. I would say if you feel it is family due to how long you had it. Keep it. Other fish you can add.