dwarf angel being agressive

[melonheadorion]

ive had this dwarf angel for some time now, and he is the larger of the fish i have. he was previously in a 20 gal, where the only thing that he messed with a whole lot was my large diamond goby. not really fighting, but kinda like two kids playing "im not touching you, im not touching you" type of thing. a couple months ago, i moved him to my new tank which is a 65 gal (i still have both setup right now). the angel is definately the boss in the larger tank, which is also stocked with 2 clowns, and 2 chromis, but i wouldnt say hes aggressive. however, today, i bought another diamond goby, but this one is for the 65 gal tank. its a much younger/smaller goby than the other, and the bi color angel is aggressive towards it. not fighting aggressive, but pushing him around more than any of the other smaller fish.
im trying to find a way to equalize the roles i guess. i can move either fish back to the 20 gal and just have a tank with 2 gobies in it, or keep the new goby in the 65, and put the angel into the 20g. i guess i am wondering is if this will equalize the balance of whos in charge? i would love to keep the angel where he is, but i feel that any more moves that i make from the 20g to the 65g will just have the same outcome because they are fish being introduced into his home, and not vice versa. for example, he was the last fish introduced to the 20g, and he was definately dominant, but nothing was being pushed around, whereas now, the goby i introduced today, is being pushed around. my other intent was to eventaully move over my flame tale blennie, and bi color blenny to the 65 also, but now with this, it makes me worry that, even though they were tank mates at one point, will he be agressive to those two since im introducing them after hes laid claim.

 

[Andresnyc93]

I’m sorry to say but you introduced the dwarf angel too soon, they should be last if not second to last added because most likely they’ll bully all the fishes added after them. I’d say get the dwarf out to the 20gal and let the diamond settle without being pushed around by the angel. Then when you’re ready re-introduce dwarf again but when he’s your last added fish

 

[Justin_Reef]

I have a 7' 200G tank with several large tangs, a large Harlequin Tusk, large Butterfly... basically a bunch of fully mature fish, and my 4" Coral Beauty is the king of the tank and routinely nipped fins. Even chases the 8" Harlequin Tusk around the tank sometimes.

The fish don't seem to care much, but it's frustrating to watch. The coral beauty never chases any fish smaller than it, like my school of chromis.

 

[melonheadorion]

I have a 7' 200G tank with several large tangs, a large Harlequin Tusk, large Butterfly... basically a bunch of fully mature fish, and my 4" Coral Beauty is the king of the tank and routinely nipped fins. Even chases the 8" Harlequin Tusk around the tank sometimes.

The fish don't seem to care much, but it's frustrating to watch. The coral beauty never chases any fish smaller than it, like my school of chromis.

mine really just darts at the clowns and chromis, which were introduced first, but its just when they are really in its way, so its not constant harassment. its no big deal to move him from the one tank to the other. just a matter of catching him of course.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Bi Color needs lots of room which is part of issue not to mention they are the larger of dwarf angels and Not reef safe and can be finicky with feedings

 

[melonheadorion]

Bi Color needs lots of room which is part of issue not to mention they are the larger of dwarf angels and Not reef safe and can be finicky with feedings

i found that out by different articles online. feeding was hit or miss at the start months ago, but he eats everything except what i put on an algae clip. he also doesnt mess with my corals at all, so thats a plus also.

 

[davidcalgary29]

Dwarf angelfish are smart and assertive, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if your angel either thinks that the new goby is the old one -- and is engaging in an old dynamic -- or it simply decided it's not going to trust any diamond goby because it didn't get along with the other one. In either case, I agree with @Andresnyc93 and suggest that you add the angel last, and think it's wise that you have a plan 'B' -- having somewhere else where you can put the goby if things really go south.

 

[Justin_Reef]

My Coral Beauty nips at corals, but I noticed it only started after the Coral Beauty began to hang around my Pakistani Butterfly who nips corals. In fact, my Hippo tang also nips corals after watching the butterfly do it.

 

[melonheadorion]

ive rehomed him back into the 20g for now. what a battle that was to get him, but i got him. anywho, the balance of power has been re-established in the smaller tank, and back to the behavior that was there before. however, now the alpha blenny that i have, seems to want to run the show. he shows all of his "teeth" when the angel gets too close, but there is no danger. just a bunch of flexing. eventually, they will all be put into the larger tank