Neon dottyback help?

[Andreas' Reef]

So I got a neon dottyback. I just worry that it might be aggressive.

Some context: I have a 32 gallon tank with a clownfish, a falco hawkfish, a cleaner shrimp, and a watchman goby. All are well established fish and they are bigger than the neon. The neon is probably an inch long. I’ve heard stories of neons killing everything but I’ve also heard stories of them being good tank mates. Since I added all the peaceful-semi aggressive fish first, do you think he’ll be a problem?

 

[Cali Reef Life]

I had one called Metta world peace and the other Ron Artest both dotty backs prior to a crash years ago. Look that up if you don't get it. You should be fine if there is plenty of spaces to hide. I used a mirror and moved rocks around here and there if fish got aggressive.

 

[Cali Reef Life]

I am about to add a dotty back with 2 clowns and falco hawk fish, Christmas wrasse. The other 3 fish are pretty large but I have a 90 gallon so a little different. Dotty backs are more nippers then killers at least for me.

 

[Sean Clark]

My purple/strawberry is a model citizen.

 

[vetteguy53081]

They can be very aggressive especially when an occupant gets near its hiding place and also are jumpers and often get through overflows ending up in the sump

 

[Andreas' Reef]

They can be very aggressive especially when an occupant gets near its hiding place and also are jumpers and often get through overflows ending up in the sump

So my falco hawk is being quite territorial to the dottyback I think that's normal isn't it?

 

[vetteguy53081]

So my falco hawk is being quite territorial to the dottyback I think that's normal isn't it?

yes- falco can be jerks and will eat any shrimp in your tank

 

[Andreas' Reef]

yes- falco can be jerks and will eat any shrimp in your tank

He’s lived with a skunk cleaner for like 4 months and nothing has happened

 

[vetteguy53081]

He’s lived with a skunk cleaner for like 4 months and nothing has happened

You lucked out
I introduced mine and within 2 hours ate blood red, skunk and my 2 coral banded shrimp I had for 3+ years
Know others with similar experience

 

[Andreas' Reef]

You lucked out
I introduced mine and within 2 hours ate blood red, skunk and my 2 coral banded shrimp I had for 3+ years
Know others with similar experience

Dang! I've never had that experience. Mine hasn't even shown interest in the shrimp. But 2 hours? wow

 

[Mikedawg]

Yes, what you often read about a fish is sometimes based on authors' experience and a few anecdotes; although fish aren't among the most brilliant creatures (mea culpa) there can be differences in behaviors within the same species

 

[rsumner]

While I don't have a Neon in my tank right now, I do have an ORA Sunrise Dottyback. I haven't had any issues with jumping but I can agree with @vetteguy53081: they are very aggressive when any other fish gets near their hiding spots. My Dotty doesn't touch my inverts.

They may be small, but other fish learn pretty quick they don't want to mess around with the nasty teeth that the Dottybacks have in their arsenal. Personally, I wouldn't be concerned about any larger tank mates that already have their territory established, but I would be careful of anyone small especially anyone with similar body types and colors.

 

[Andreas' Reef]

I had one called Metta world peace and the other Ron Artest both dotty backs prior to a crash years ago. Look that up if you don't get it. You should be fine if there is plenty of spaces to hide. I used a mirror and moved rocks around here and there if fish got aggressive.

Wait. They're the same person. Are you saying you have 1 dottyback XD

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

My purple/strawberry is a model citizen.

Not a neon.

So I got a neon dottyback. I just worry that it might be aggressive.

Follow your gut.

They CAN be homies for years but when they turn, it gets Nasty, fast.

Even Peaceful, they stake out a large territory for that size tank.

Took a tank tear down to remove mine. His kill list was half of dozen fish, and EVERY SINGLE SNAIL.

 

[Andreas' Reef]

Not a neon.

Follow your gut.

They CAN be homies for years but when they turn, it gets Nasty, fast.

Even Peaceful, they stake out a large territory for that size tank.

Took a tank tear down to remove mine. His kill list was half of dozen fish, and EVERY SINGLE SNAIL.

I really really hope the neon is okay. He is with fish that are not remotely his size or shape (clownfish, bangaiis) I'm pretty fond of the neon. He has personality, and is very pretty.

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

I really really hope the neon is okay. He is with fish that are not remotely his size or shape (clownfish, bangaiis) I'm pretty fond of the neon. He has personality, and is very pretty.

Many that I have discussed it with have found they were good up until they hit three to four inch range. If yours is quite small and you want to take the chance, go for it. I have a lot of "with caution" fish. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't

 

[Andreas' Reef]

Many that I have discussed it with have found they were good up until they hit three to four inch range. If yours is quite small and you want to take the chance, go for it. I have a lot of "with caution" fish. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't

Yeah, mine is quite small. It also is captive bred, which means it is adapted to aquarium life since birth. (I don’t really know if the changes anything : P

 

[Saltyanimals]

Yeah, mine is quite small. It also is captive bred, which means it is adapted to aquarium life since birth. (I don’t really know if the changes anything : P

This will raise the question of innate or basic instincts in the species since it's captive bred. The entire supply chain for this specifies appears captive bred as of the last 5-7 years which implies the experiences shared here are also captive bred.

IMHO I think it's the species and the instincts will eventually materialize. Similar example for me are captive clownfish. They tend to not want to host anemones initially... eventually they will once they figure it out. Is this an innate behavior?