Fish help....there fighting!

dinod73 · Jul 15, 2014

I just added some fish to my tank. Prior to adding o had two clowns and a neon dottyback. I added a watchman goby, and two damselfish. I thought they would all be peaceful. However the neon is attacking the yellow watchmen. Now i have the watchmen isolated in the tank. Is this normal will they calm down?

footballdude2k3 · Jul 15, 2014

dottybacks and damsels are some of the most aggressive fish in the hobby, they might calm down, but clowns are damsels as well, so that's a pretty aggressive tank you have, how big is it?

dinod73 · Jul 15, 2014

40 gallon tank. I thought they were compatible. At least that was how i was told.

VelasCorals · Jul 15, 2014

Too many fish in a small tank. They need more space or they will make it by killing each other off. Give away the weakest fish to your lfs or a friend.

Latinreefer · Jul 15, 2014

Tape a mirror to the side glass and hopefully they'll be distracted and leave him alone.

GL

fishroomlady · Jul 15, 2014

IMO, it's not necessarily too many fish just too many aggressive fish. I'd opt to return the two new damselfish and see if things calm down. I like the idea of the mirror for distraction. Also, do you have plenty of rock where fish can retreat to?

dinod73 · Jul 15, 2014

I do have rock. Not sure if it enough.
Here a picture of the tank.

Coraloliseffect · Jul 15, 2014

sadly there all pretty tertioral. a mirror might help and , some more rock/territory. but do steps slowly. nothing good in reefs happens fast. Damsels are nasty nick named blue devels. there are some good citizens but not the norm.

dinod73 · Jul 15, 2014

The mirror idea is real interesting. I put one up on the tank. The dottyback is battling it.
My fis count is
2 (6 month old) clowns
1 neon dottyback (6 month old)
1 yellow watchmen
1 yellow tail damsel
1 green chromis
Last 3 all today.

cpayne015 · Jul 15, 2014

More rock means more homes and hiding spots

G_Sanab922 · Jul 15, 2014

fishroomlady said:
IMO, it's not necessarily too many fish just too many aggressive fish. I'd opt to return the two new damselfish and see if things calm down. I like the idea of the mirror for distraction. Also, do you have plenty of rock where fish can retreat to?

+1

Gabriel

G_Sanab922 · Jul 15, 2014

Definitely you need more rock. But add the rock little by little. Try to buy Cured Live Rock to prevent mini cycles. If not then add rock very slowly and monitor your levels..

Gabriel

Naiad · Jul 15, 2014

The watchman needs a rock to burrow under that is not already claimed. The damsel will set up a territory to guard. He will fight anything that enters his territory. Add some rock or even "temporary" pvc pipes so the fish can both hide and establish their new homes.

dinod73 · Jul 16, 2014

After removing the neon dottyback peace has be found.

fishroomlady · Jul 16, 2014

good to hear! I saw that your particular choices of damsels tend to be on the more peaceful side (yellow tail and chromis) although clowns can be aggressive. I have read where dottys can be quite aggressive. I would consider adding more rock as it is good for filtration and for fish to claim their burrows. As stated above the watchman needs a space to have a burrow.