Agressive Domino Damsel

kgstep · Aug 31, 2023

So I'm new to the aquarium hobby. I purchased a tank from someone who had 2 clownfish and 1 domino damsel. Previous owner said they all got along, but since moving it to my house that domino damsel has been a terror to the 2 clowns. he wont let them go anywhere near the rock. its a fluval evo 13.5 so I know its on the small end.

What can I do about this? if nothing can you give or sell them to a store? Are there tricks to make it a little less aggressive? TIA

1112-425XL · Aug 31, 2023

Domino Damsel is one of the most aggressive Damsels. Probably not much you can do to change that. Most LFS will take them and give you a credit toward other livestock. Usually clowns can take care of themselves.

kgstep · Aug 31, 2023

1112-425XL said:
Domino Damsel is one of the most aggressive Damsels. Probably not much you can do to change that. Most LFS will take them and give you a credit toward other livestock. Usually clowns can take care of themselves.

Yeah he's pretty fun to watch when he's not trying to attack the others. The clowns seem to be doing pretty good despite. I will give him a week, if it's not any better, I will take him to the LFS who said they would.

Mr. Mojo Rising · Aug 31, 2023

since its such a small tank, you can try putting a tank divider (or eggcrate) in to seperate them. After a week or two when you pull it out, there is a good chance all the fish will stay where you had divided them. It doesnt always work, but it does work sometimes.

Frankie the frog · Aug 31, 2023

kgstep said:
So I'm new to the aquarium hobby. I purchased a tank from someone who had 2 clownfish and 1 domino damsel. Previous owner said they all got along, but since moving it to my house that domino damsel has been a terror to the 2 clowns. he wont let them go anywhere near the rock. its a fluval evo 13.5 so I know its on the small end.

What can I do about this? if nothing can you give or sell them to a store? Are there tricks to make it a little less aggressive? TIA

Mr. Mojo Rising said:
since its such a small tank, you can try putting a tank divider (or eggcrate) in to seperate them. After a week or two when you pull it out, there is a good chance all the fish will stay where you had divided them. It doesnt always work, but it does work sometimes.

I also had a damsel and 2 clowns in a Fluval 13.5 for over 8 years. Never had a problem, they got along. They all eventually died but tried to get new fish but they keep dying?? Will not put a damsel again with clownfish, they are very territorial, my little one was an exception

kgstep · Aug 31, 2023

Mr. Mojo Rising said:
since its such a small tank, you can try putting a tank divider (or eggcrate) in to seperate them. After a week or two when you pull it out, there is a good chance all the fish will stay where you had divided them. It doesnt always work, but it does work sometimes.

Great idea!

NCsalt · Aug 31, 2023

I saw a video of a little Domino in a 3.8 gallon pico rockflower themed tank recently. He looked very content and cute in there.

My understanding is you don’t need to use the word aggressive with them, their name suffices.

blaxsun · Aug 31, 2023

1112-425XL said:
Domino Damsel is one of the most aggressive Damsels. Probably not much you can do to change that. Most LFS will take them and give you a credit toward other livestock. Usually clowns can take care of themselves.

Maybe it has something to do with the size of the tank (mine has been a model citizen).