My yellowtail Damsel is a jerk!

Phatfish · Jul 12, 2017

Does anyone have any suggestions about how to handle this. I have a pair of tomato clowns that I've been trying to get to host a bubble tip anenome a friend recently gave me. I've been showing them pictures and videos of clowns in anemones as I was told that might work. The clowns are definitely trying to get into it, but my stupid damsel keeps chasing them away and guarding it! Why would it be doing this? I might have to trade him if I can't get him to knock it off.
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sbash · Jul 12, 2017

Phatfish said:
Does anyone have any suggestions about how to handle this. I have a pair of tomato clowns that I've been trying to get to host a bubble tip anenome a friend recently gave me. I've been showing them pictures and videos of clowns in anemones as I was told that might work. The clowns are definitely trying to get into it, but my stupid damsel keeps chasing them away and guarding it! Why would it be doing this? I might have to trade him if I can't get him to knock it off.

Damsels are aggressive fish, granted the yellow tails are a bit more docile than others. The problem is simply due to the anemone in the damsel's territory. So, you either need to move the anemone or move the damsel's territory. The prior is probably the easiest, however I have found rearranging the rocks sometimes accomplishes the latter...

Also, if you can QT the damsel for a few weeks, then the clowns would get the upper hand on the situation...

eatbreakfast · Jul 13, 2017

That is not the traditional yellowtail damsel, which is a species in the genus Chrysiptera, and ysually isn't too aggressive. Yours appears to be Neopomacentrus nemurus.

Tomato clowns should be tough enough to take whatever space they want, but the damsel has vigorously claimed the territory that the anemone is in. You could try placing a mirror to see if that distracts the damsel. Or try a bottle trap, take the damsel out and return it to the tank once the clowns are settled in the anemone.

Phatfish · Jul 13, 2017

Thanks guys. I'll try that. The clowns are pretty timid for some reason. That damsel is the alpha in the tank for sure. The whole tank is petty much his territory. The clowns and the other damsel (a small blue one) have areas they stick to. The the yellow tail just goes where he wants tho. Usually he's not that aggressive. They all get along, he just seems to have chosen to fight over that anenome. He'll be hard to catch though. I'll look up the bottle trap.

moseley75 · Jul 13, 2017

They are wary you may have to put the trap in his territory and leave it for a while. It took a day and a half to catch the one in my tank. I didn't feed him for several days prior either. Had to hand feed all other occupants.

Water Dog · Jul 13, 2017

Don't worry, once the tomatoes get established, they'll dominate... definitely one of the more aggressive clown species. Back in the day, my tomato clown would draw blood every time I got too close.

clsanchez77 · Jul 13, 2017

Good advice above but sounds like your damsel is doing exactly what damsels do! They stake out a territory based on an area of terrain and everything inside of it is theirs, even if that includes anemones. Since your clowns are tomatos, I favor the temporary banishment to QT for the damsel. Once those maroons are in place, they will keep that damsel in check!

I do not recommend moving the anemone. If the anemone is stable and has not been wondering, then dont upset a good thing

jrwoltman · Jul 13, 2017

Not just yours my friend. They are all jerks.

eatbreakfast · Jul 13, 2017

jrwoltman said:
Not just yours my friend. They are all jerks.

Most are, but there are some species that are well behaved.

Gil03 · Jul 13, 2017

Your tomato's will eventually be the jerks lol, get the damsel out if you can manage to catch it and either trade him in or put him in the sump for several days then add him back to the display. You can even move a few rocks around so your aquascape is a little different and that may help, but do it while he's not in the tank.

ca1ore · Jul 13, 2017

Agree with TJ that it's not the 'standard' yellow tail. Mine is the most docile fish in my tank, and resides at the very bottom of my tanks pecking order.

Phatfish · Jul 14, 2017

Thanks for all the advice! I'm going to try and catch him today. Into the qt he goes. Do you think a week or so would do it or should he be banished for a little longer?

Phatfish · Jul 14, 2017

Success! Looks like they put him in his place eventually on their own!

Humblefish · Jul 14, 2017

Phatfish said:
Thanks for all the advice! I'm going to try and catch him today. Into the qt he goes. Do you think a week or so would do it or should he be banished for a little longer?

What size is your DT? IME; non-chromis damsels are a PITA in anything but large systems.