damsel has turned into a bully overnight

[ctyler85]

I have 2 blue sapphire damsels and never had any issues with them over the last 2 years or so. Have added plenty of fish after them, in fact I think the only originals I have in the tank besides the mandarin. I added 2 allardi clowns and 3 royal queen anthias last night. This morning the damsel is charging the anthias and shoving them back in their hole, hes even hanging closely to the clowns and occasionally nipping at the smaller one. Hes never exhibited this type of behavior before with any of the other fish. Its a 265 gallon tank, and his normal hangout spot is on the opposite side of the tank. hes charging the entire length of the tank when the anthias show their face. will this behavior calm down or do I need to start trying to pull the damsel out?

 

[Flippers4pups]

I have 2 blue sapphire damsels and never had any issues with them over the last 2 years or so. Have added plenty of fish after them, in fact I think the only originals I have in the tank besides the mandarin. I added 2 allardi clowns and 3 royal queen anthias last night. This morning the damsel is charging the anthias and shoving them back in their hole, hes even hanging closely to the clowns and occasionally nipping at the smaller one. Hes never exhibited this type of behavior before with any of the other fish. Its a 265 gallon tank, and his normal hangout spot is on the opposite side of the tank. hes charging the entire length of the tank when the anthias show their face. will this behavior calm down or do I need to start trying to pull the damsel out?

I would remove the Damsel and re-home it. It's behavior will most likely not change and the anthias will start to decline quickly.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Blue sapphires(C. springeri) are generally mellow damsels. I wouldn't consider this normal and would expect the behavior to subside as the anthias come out more. However, any of queen anthias are a notoriously difficult species.

 

[ctyler85]

Blue sapphires(C. springeri) are generally mellow damsels. I wouldn't consider this normal and would expect the behavior to subside as the anthias come out more. However, any of queen anthias are a notoriously difficult species.

yeah hes always been super mellow until this morning.
I have heard that the queens are pretty difficult. The odd thing is of all the anthias, these have been the least shy and most active, my carberryi, dispar and bimaculatus all went into hiding for 3-4 days. These guys didnt hide at all, so I'm keeping up hope.

 

[cracker]

Sorry if I missed it ,Are the anthias a very new addition?

 

[ctyler85]

Sorry if I missed it ,Are the anthias a very new addition?

The queen anthias were added Saturday night, damsel started picking on them Sunday morning. I'm aware some fish will bully new additions to the tank, but the damsel has never bullied any of the ne additions, the damsel was actually one of the 2 first fish in the tank

 

[coralhoarder]

In my opinion ALL damsels are jerks.
I had just a a yellow tail damsel and a pair of clowns in my 34 gallon forever... I purchased a tiger jawfish and he instantly became a nasty bully.. SO, I went straight out and purchased two more fish to "keep him in check", a neon dottyback and a fang blenny.... it did the trick.. he has assumed his rightful place at the bottom of the totem pole

 

[becks]

My springeri damsel seems to be the Lowest in the pecking order within my tank, (a peaceful tank too) he even backs away when my peacock wrasse swims by.

If you have two, are they spawning? Maybe they are being protective.

 

[Eastlake]

Have you ever noticed any spawning behaviors? It's possible that the damsel that's being the jerk is defending a nest. I know it's not the same but, I've got blue yellow tails, azures, and allenii, all pairs and all spawn regularly. When they don't have eggs to defend they're totally cool with everyone, when they do have eggs they bite the tarnation out of me and any fish that come near the nest.