Should I remove the Damsels?

excell007 · Oct 3, 2020

I am trying to convert a 15YO FOWLR into a reef tank, finally got the first set of corals last Thursday. They all looked good after a day in the tank, but today it looks like the Damsels are getting interested and started picking on the Duncan and Chalice. Will they eventually lose interest? or it will just get worse from here? I am asking because it's going to be tough to catch them with out removing all the rocks. I tried trapping them when they are picking on the toadstool but they would not enter the trap.

second day in the tank

today, the duncan retracted and the bottom left corner of the chalice is starting to shred

This is what I did to the toadstool a couple of weeks ago because it keeps on retracting. but I can't keep this fence forever

anthonygf · Oct 3, 2020

excell007 said:
I am trying to convert a 15YO FOWLR into a reef tank, finally got the first set of corals last Thursday. They all looked good after a day in the tank, but today it looks like the Damsels are getting interested and started picking on the Duncan and Chalice. Will they eventually lose interest? or it will just get worse from here? I am asking because it's going to be tough to catch them with out removing all the rocks. I tried trapping them when they are picking on the toadstool but they would not enter the trap.

second day in the tank

today, the duncan retracted and the bottom left corner of the chalice is starting to shred

This is what I did to the toadstool a couple of weeks ago because it keeps on retracting. but I can't keep this fence forever

Feed the Damsels more, They may be less interested if fat and lazy

excell007 · Oct 3, 2020

They are already fat

, but definitely not lazy. I'll keep the frags on the rack for now, so they're on the far corner of the tank. Hopefully they will become less interested after seeing them for a while, otherwise the damsels will get tranfered to a smaller tank. This maybe a chance to rearrange the rocks.

FishGeist · Oct 3, 2020

My blue velvet liked munching on GSP and he was fed well, so I dont know what kind of damsels you have.

fishguy242 · Oct 3, 2020

ditch the damsels

better now than later

excell007 · Oct 3, 2020

FishGeist said:
My blue velvet liked munching on GSP and he was fed well, so I dont know what kind of damsels you have.

the blue velvet picks on the chalice. four stripe picks on both the chalice and toadstool.

excell007 · Oct 3, 2020

fishguy242 said:
ditch the damsels better now than later

I guess it is time to cycle the smaller tanks for these damsels. I already have an HOB filter running on the sump for a few days now.

vetteguy53081 · Oct 3, 2020

Are they picking on the duncans (which is very unusual) OR are they going after food that has landed on the duncans (which IS typical)
Did this occur shortly after feeding? If so- that would likely be what you are seeing.

excell007 · Oct 3, 2020

vetteguy53081 said:
Are they picking on the duncans (which is very unusual) OR are they going after food that has landed on the duncans (which IS typical)
Did this occur shortly after feeding? If so- that would likely be what you are seeing.

With the Duncan I saw the 4 stripe picking inside the polyp, I did not see any food particles, about 2 hours after feeding. The 4 stripe always do this with the toadstool, until I put up the fence around it. With the chalice I saw the blue velvet nipping and shaking twice, that's why there is a tear and shred at the bottom left corner. I will observe more tomorrow.

excell007 · Oct 4, 2020

Put the rack on the far corner of the tank, away from where the damsels hang out, and everything seems to be OK. I am cycling a 20G right now, do you guys think this is big enough for 5 damsels? I don't want to give them away, I have them for 5+ years now.

excell007 · Oct 15, 2020

I saw the blue velvet picking on the toadstool twice this morning and the four stripes actuall pulled one of the flags off the rack(it's just a flat disc). That's the last straw, I made a divider from an old screen door and subdived my tank into 3 sections and moved the rocks. I caught them

. They seem to be taking the trasition well, not chasing each other. I also moved more rocks from the display.