Damsel relentlessly attacking new goby?

[rennjidk]

20g system. Current stock:

2 ocellaris clowns
1 Caerulean damsel (maybe similar?)
1 Purple Firefish
1 Rainford's Goby

I added the firefish and goby today. The tank has had other inhabitants that aged out, including a long nose hawkfish.

I've never had an issue with adding peaceful fish, especially bottom dwellers over the years, but today when the small goby went in, the damsel immediately went on the attack. It's grabbing the goby by the lip and thrashing it. The poor 1 1/2" goby tries to hide, but is pursued mercilessly around the tank.

The damsel could care less about the firefish or other similar sized or larger fish. Is this a territorial display or is there some incompatiblility I missed?

And yeah, I know....damsels are jerks.

 

[Cthulukelele]

Damsels are absolutely relentless about bullying new additions if they can get away with it and don't have a boss fish keeping them in line ime

 

[dakoop]

Damsel=a$$hole

 

[Cthulukelele]

I think one of the reason damsels have the rep they do is their tenacity. If they decide to pick a fight, they fight morning, noon, and night until either it or the other fish are dead. It's really brutal to watch, and I think most people who've watched it happen are affected by it which leads to their reputation

 

[windsor_salt]

I had trouble with two Blue Devil Damsels. They wouldn't stop bullying until the other fish was dead. I had a pair and removed the aggressive one, keeping the passive one, which got along with everyone and was a total model citizen. However, when I added a Yellow Watchman Goby (YWG), the Damsel started tearing up its fins, so I had to bag him up and donate him too. Never again. But I've heard Springer Damsels are more docile?

 

[GARRIGA]

Acclimation box might solve this aggression. Just like people. Never know how any fish going to react when a stranger enters their territory. Not isolated to damsels

 

[VintageReefer]

I have a 2” lemon damsel who is mostly peaceful with my other fish. Occasional brief chase but very rare

I added a 3” tomini tang and the damsel was merciless…chewed up the fins, chased all day. I couldn’t catch either one.

After 24 hours the damsel couldn’t care less about the tomini

Added two anthias a few weeks later, damsel didn’t care about that either. I have no idea why he decided to pick on the new tomini but it worked itself out and the tomini is doing fine, peacefully grazes by the damsel, no more issues

 

[windsor_salt]

Acclimation box might solve this aggression. Just like people. Never know how any fish going to react when a stranger enters their territory. Not isolated to damsels

I’ve tried this without success

 

[GARRIGA]

I’ve tried this without success

Tends to work. Perhaps extend the duration