Poor pushover damsel

[Sonatine]

Just added a springer's damsel to the tank ~2 days ago. Beautiful little fish. I'm assuming it'll get more confident/aggressive with time, but right now mine's sort of an embarrassment to damselfish everywhere... because it got ousted from its favorite rock spot by a bicolor blenny.

The blenny didn't really even outwardly chase it. It just cruised over and perched right in the damsel's favorite spot, and the damsel went to sulk at the top corner of the tank and hasn't moved. The blenny hadn't cared about that rock in ages, but now that somebody else wants it, it's prime real estate, I guess.

Right now the clown is trying to haze the poor thing, but doesn't actually have the nerve to get close, so it's mostly a bunch of frustrated clownfish wiggling, with the damsel just causally scooting away whenever it gets close (damsel is bigger and faster).

I tend to be a worrier, but realistically I know it's only been 2 days and they'll probably work it out with time. Anybody else want to share stories of their resident fish hazing newcomers (ideally with happy endings so I stop worrying)?

 

[sfin52]

Just added a springer's damsel to the tank ~2 days ago. Beautiful little fish. I'm assuming it'll get more confident/aggressive with time, but right now mine's sort of an embarrassment to damselfish everywhere... because it got ousted from its favorite rock spot by a bicolor blenny.

The blenny didn't really even outwardly chase it. It just cruised over and perched right in the damsel's favorite spot, and the damsel went to sulk at the top corner of the tank and hasn't moved. The blenny hadn't cared about that rock in ages, but now that somebody else wants it, it's prime real estate, I guess.

Right now the clown is trying to haze the poor thing, but doesn't actually have the nerve to get close, so it's mostly a bunch of frustrated clownfish wiggling, with the damsel just causally scooting away whenever it gets close (damsel is bigger and faster).

I tend to be a worrier, but realistically I know it's only been 2 days and they'll probably work it out with time. Anybody else want to share stories of their resident fish hazing newcomers (ideally with happy endings so I stop worrying)?

Nothing to serious agression wise. It will work out

 

[Sonatine]

Yeah, I figured that Blennifer is probably just flexing. It should enjoy it while it lasts, before the new damsel learns to stand up for itself.

Everyone is still eating and not hiding, so it's probably fine.

 

[i cant think]

Just added a springer's damsel to the tank ~2 days ago. Beautiful little fish. I'm assuming it'll get more confident/aggressive with time, but right now mine's sort of an embarrassment to damselfish everywhere... because it got ousted from its favorite rock spot by a bicolor blenny.

The blenny didn't really even outwardly chase it. It just cruised over and perched right in the damsel's favorite spot, and the damsel went to sulk at the top corner of the tank and hasn't moved. The blenny hadn't cared about that rock in ages, but now that somebody else wants it, it's prime real estate, I guess.

Right now the clown is trying to haze the poor thing, but doesn't actually have the nerve to get close, so it's mostly a bunch of frustrated clownfish wiggling, with the damsel just causally scooting away whenever it gets close (damsel is bigger and faster).

I tend to be a worrier, but realistically I know it's only been 2 days and they'll probably work it out with time. Anybody else want to share stories of their resident fish hazing newcomers (ideally with happy endings so I stop worrying)?

I agree with @sfin52 in it being mild aggression. It should die down within a couple of days (if not hours), you’ll probably find the fish just need to know there’s plenty of food and real estate for them to get along.

 

[Sonatine]

I agree with @sfin52 in it being mild aggression. It should die down within a couple of days (if not hours), you’ll probably find the fish just need to know there’s plenty of food and real estate for them to get along.

Thanks for all the reassurance.

They all seem to be doing fine today. The clown makes the occasional pass, but always breaks off and flees if the damsel so much as moves. And since adding the damsel to the tank, I've seen more of the clown and blenny than ever before. I'm not sure if it's the prospect of a good hazing that has them coming out of hiding, or if the damsel is acting as a dither fish for them, but everything seems to be going well so I can't complain!

 

[sfin52]

Thanks for all the reassurance.

They all seem to be doing fine today. The clown makes the occasional pass, but always breaks off and flees if the damsel so much as moves. And since adding the damsel to the tank, I've seen more of the clown and blenny than ever before. I'm not sure if it's the prospect of a good hazing that has them coming out of hiding, or if the damsel is acting as a dither fish for them, but everything seems to be going well so I can't complain!

The more fish the more secure the other fish feel

 

[Sonatine]

They're all still doing well! Blennifer still goes after the damsel every so often but it's more comical than worrying. Watching a long-bodied, slow swimming blenny try to corral a damsel is fairly entertaining, and even the damsel doesn't seem to feel threatened. Just politely swims off until Blennifer is done posturing (which is usually after just a handful of seconds).

Meanwhile my clown chases its reflection in the background like a lunatic.

Hopefully they all keep their juvenile peacefulness until I can finish stocking the tank.