Orchid dottyback being aggressive

Mcdonalds · Nov 13, 2021

So my third fish I had added to my 24g about 3-4 months ago is now progressively getting more aggressive to my clownfish (which are close to pairing) and causing other problems, like digging and spitting sand everywhere, and I intend on having corals in a few months so would the sand spitting be a problem? I have a breeder box to maybe make it calm down but it didn’t work when I tired it with a yasha goby that only lived a few days, I don’t know how it died but the dottyback probably didn’t help. Also, the clownfish come first, they are pretty much what made me want a tank and they are being forced into a corner when the dottyback isn’t in its burrow. So should I just bring it back to the store?

Thank you for the help

TnFishwater98 · Nov 13, 2021

Mcdonalds said:
So my third fish I had added to my 24g about 3-4 months ago is now progressively getting more aggressive to my clownfish (which are close to pairing) and causing other problems, like digging and spitting sand everywhere, and I intend on having corals in a few months so would the sand spitting be a problem? I have a breeder box to maybe make it calm down but it didn’t work when I tired it with a yasha goby that only lived a few days, I don’t know how it died but the dottyback probably didn’t help. Also, the clownfish come first, they are pretty much what made me want a tank and they are being forced into a corner when the dottyback isn’t in its burrow. So should I just bring it back to the store?

Thank you for the help

Sounds normal, the tank is possible too small or not enough LR for the dotty to feel safe

Mcdonalds · Nov 13, 2021

TnFishwater98 said:
Sounds normal, the tank is possible too small or not enough LR for the dotty to feel safe

The dottyback is the only fish to go into the caves and has its burrow. But is my clownfish mainly cowering into the corner a problem?

vtecintegra · Nov 13, 2021

Return it. Not sure why people buy them. They are known to be aggressive like damsels.

Mcdonalds · Nov 13, 2021

vtecintegra said:
Return it. Not sure why people buy them. They are known to be aggressive like damsels.

I heard otherwise with this one, also with indigos. Good thing it was cheap

ariellemermaid · Nov 13, 2021

Yeah I would take it back unfortunately. You can find long threads on here in the realm of “fish you most regret buying” “most aggressive fish you’ve owned” etc. Dottyback shows up over and over again. It’s a shame because they’re attractive colorful fish and some folks get lucky, but I don’t see this situation getting better. Prioritize the fish you care the most about.

mackbamf · Nov 13, 2021

Completely agree on the above statements. I would feel fortunate that you only have to dig him out of a 24 gallon and not a larger tank.

TnFishwater98 · Nov 13, 2021

Mcdonalds said:
The dottyback is the only fish to go into the caves and has its burrow. But is my clownfish mainly cowering into the corner a problem?

My clown hangs out in one spot at the top of tank ever since my other clown passed. Clowns are tough skinned and can handle being in a tank with a small bully.

kittenbritches · Nov 13, 2021

TnFishwater98 said:
My clown hangs out in one spot at the top of tank ever since my other clown passed. Clowns are tough skinned and can handle being in a tank with a small bully.

Agreed.

Also, I have a dottyback in each of my tanks, and as long as they have a cave or some space to deem as their own territory, they are pretty chill fish, IME. In my 40g my dottyback will lunge a little at the firefish if he's in her space, and in my 54g the dottyback gets chased by the fairy wrasse. They all still seem happy to me.

Clowns are corner-dwelling freaks anyway, and are likely to shimmy in one corner or another regardless of your dottyback.

YMMV, void where prohibited, look under the cap to see if you've won, see dealer for details.

Mcdonalds · Nov 13, 2021

kittenbritches said:
Agreed.

Also, I have a dottyback in each of my tanks, and as long as they have a cave or some space to deem as their own territory, they are pretty chill fish, IME. In my 40g my dottyback will lunge a little at the firefish if he's in her space, and in my 54g the dottyback gets chased by the fairy wrasse. They all still seem happy to me.

Clowns are corner-dwelling freaks anyway, and are likely to shimmy in one corner or another regardless of your dottyback.

YMMV, void where prohibited, look under the cap to see if you've won, see dealer for details.

Yes I notice that, they love my thermometer for some reason. But when my dottyback hides after the lights are out it’s usually when my clowns come to the central part of the tank because they aren’t being harassed.

kittenbritches · Nov 13, 2021

Mcdonalds said:
Yes I notice that, they love my thermometer for some reason. But when my dottyback hides after the lights are out it’s usually when my clowns come to the central part of the tank because they aren’t being harassed.

That's typical clownfish behavior, tbh. I strongly suspect that it has nothing to do with the dottyback turning in for the night.

ariellemermaid · Nov 13, 2021

My clowns hang out in the front all day (and night) with a yellow tang, royal gramma, cardinals, and various other burrowing/hiding fish. I think the key here is that the clowns have had a change in behavior since adding the Dottyback. Question is whether you’re fine with that or not. I personally enjoy the fact that my tank is peaceful and everyone gets along with minimal stress.

Mcdonalds · Nov 13, 2021

ariellemermaid said:
My clowns hang out in the front all day (and night) with a yellow tang, royal gramma, cardinals, and various other burrowing/hiding fish. I think the key here is that the clowns have had a change in behavior since adding the Dottyback. Question is whether you’re fine with that or not. I personally enjoy the fact that my tank is peaceful and everyone gets along with minimal stress.

Yeah I wanted a more so peaceful tank, that’s why I’m debating a possum wrasse. Any opinions on them?

zaga · Nov 13, 2021

I would return it. It took a bit for my percula clownfish to get used to our nano tank. But once it did it always swims up to the front to greet me.

I have a dottyback in my larger tank and it's a model citizen. Only because of my aggressive hippo tang and territorial maroon clowns lol. I do want to remove it though because it keeps going after my CuC

vtecintegra · Nov 13, 2021

Mcdonalds said:
Yeah I wanted a more so peaceful tank, that’s why I’m debating a possum wrasse. Any opinions on them?

My possum is completely peaceful. Hunts the rocks all day and ignores everyone else.

Mcdonalds · Nov 13, 2021

vtecintegra said:
My possum is completely peaceful. Hunts the rocks all day and ignores everyone else.

Are the variants different or are they basically the same?

Gedxin · Nov 13, 2021

Shame you're having a bad experience with an orchid dottyback. Mine has been nothing but a model citizen in my 22g - he's great friends with my two clowns and firefish. I added him and the firefish together, after the clowns were already paired.

Each fish is unique though, so it's very possible you've just got an extraordinarily temperamental/territorial dottyback. You could try moving to a QT for a week or two, let your clowns settle in more and then reintroduce.

Mcdonalds · Nov 13, 2021

Gedxin said:
Shame you're having a bad experience with an orchid dottyback. Mine has been nothing but a model citizen in my 22g - he's great friends with my two clowns and firefish. I added him and the firefish together, after the clowns were already paired.

Each fish is unique though, so it's very possible you've just got an extraordinarily temperamental/territorial dottyback. You could try moving to a QT for a week or two, let your clowns settle in more and then reintroduce.

I could put it into a breeder box but it didn’t work the last time. No other tanks either.