orchid dottyback aggressive?

LifeOfAquatics · May 14, 2021

hello, so on may 9th i got a really small captive bred orchid dottyback. in my lfs, it was very skittish and hid behind stuff a lot. when I added it to my tank, I didn't see it for the first few days except like once when it ate. yesterday, I saw it come out a little bit, but I also noticed a small chunk missing from my clownfish's top fin. now the orchid is very small and so is the clown. they are both in a 10 gallon rn but I plan on upgrading to a 20 long. is it possible the orchid did something? i also saw a small nick in my clownfish's lower fin but I thought i was being paranoid as at the time, the orchid didn't come out from the rocks. anyway, do you think the orchid is attacking the clownfish? i am fine with returning the captive bred orxhid and getting like a firefish or something, I bought the orchid on impulse tbh.

Fish Think Pink · May 14, 2021

LifeOfAquatics said:
hello, so on may 9th i got a really small captive bred orchid dottyback. in my lfs, it was very skittish and hid behind stuff a lot. when I added it to my tank, I didn't see it for the first few days except like once when it ate. yesterday, I saw it come out a little bit, but I also noticed a small chunk missing from my clownfish's top fin. now the orchid is very small and so is the clown. they are both in a 10 gallon rn but I plan on upgrading to a 20 long. is it possible the orchid did something? i also saw a small nick in my clownfish's lower fin but I thought i was being paranoid as at the time, the orchid didn't come out from the rocks. anyway, do you think the orchid is attacking the clownfish? i am fine with returning the captive bred orxhid and getting like a firefish or something, I bought the orchid on impulse tbh.

yep

think firefish would have been better choice.

Often better to research before buying and not act on impulse (been there, done that, so no judgement, totally understand...).

KrisReef · May 14, 2021

Fish Think Pink said:
yep

think firefish would have been better choice.

Often better to research before buying and not act on impulse (been there, done that, so no judgement, totally understand...).

When the clown gets older then the bite will be more on the other fish, ime.

j.Zero · May 14, 2021

Yes, there is a chance. I heard that Orchid Dottybacks are the least aggressive of dottybacks but still...
I was actually planning to get one as tankmate for my Clownfish but was suggested to get a Royal Gramma instead.