What do you do with a tank bully?

[4FordFamily]

Agreed orchids are the least with the neon being close to the worst.
Dottybacks are just eveil.

I agree, my neon dottyback a decade ago would tag my hand every opportunity. It was in a 34 gallon hex tank. Evil little guy, and it was in with a pink skunk clown who was equally evil. Those two would tear me up any time I put my hand in.

 

[shred5]

I agree, my neon dottyback a decade ago would tag my hand every opportunity. It was in a 34 gallon hex tank. Evil little guy, and it was in with a pink skunk clown who was equally evil. Those two would tear me up any time I put my hand in.

Problem is fish can not get away from a dottyback because they can fit into any crevice.

I had a tank with a kole tang and a neon dottyback. The only two fish I could add was two clarkii in a anemone. The tang still harassed them and had sting marks all the time.
They were fine with all fish added before them but after that there was not a fish I could add that one of the two would not try to kill. That is no joke, tried several wrasses, jawfish, bangaii. etc.
Actually I was able to add a dwarf angel, he was chased by the tang but was way to fast for the tang..
I ended trapping the Neon dottyback.

The other issue with a dottyback is you rarely see them.

 

[Evan28395950]

I saw on VlogAfterCollege (you tuber), had a fish attacking the other ones, and I believe he did a 24hr blackout and then the fish stopped.

 

[niQo]

Recently I purchased a sixline wrasse. The Orchid Dottyback kept going after him, but the wrasse didn’t seem to care much. 24 hours later the Dottyback is in hiding due to the Wrasse (who is only 2/3 his size!) after about two weeks they both seem to tolerate each other most of the time. I did see the Dottyback chase after my leopard wrasse a few nights ago, but nothing too serious. I’m willing to get rid of the Dottyback if I have too.

I have a Tomini Tang that’s in the sump because he was pretty relentless going after a new foxface. Sometimes you have good t to act. I’m not sure if the foxface would have made it if I had not caught the Tang. I’m still debating whether I’ll introduce him again or not.

 

[Jeff Hall]

A couple things I do to reduce aggression when adding fish...

1.) Feed really heavy during first few days of adding a new fish.
2.) Use an acclimation box
3.) Add multiple fish at the same time thus spreading the aggression.
4.) Add fish at night when lights are out.
5.) Place a mirror on side of tank, so aggressive fish will attack their reflection instead of new fish.
6.) I will sometimes leave a net or two in the tank. My fish are scared of the dreaded net and will you usually hide when one is in the tank thus giving time for the new guy to settle in. After a half hour or so the old fish usually wise up to this trick and come back out despite the nets.
7.) If all else fails you can attempt to remove the aggressor and put him a time out by either placing him in the acclimation box or a separate tank for a week or two.

 

[Js.Aqua.Project]

 

[Jesterrace]

I have a 32 gallon biocube and I have a pair of clowns, Golden sailfin blenny, and an Orchid Dottyback. I was told and read lots of forums that said Orchids are the exception when it comes to dottybacks. Mine isn’t the worst but does chase some of the other fish around especially the blenny

While Orchids are generally better than other dottybacks, they are still a dottyback and they all suffer from "Little man's syndrome" to some degree. Also, are you sure you got an actual fridmani and not a porphyreus? There are times where even the store gets Purple and Orchids mixed up (with disastrous results).

 

[Dmsick]

Recently I purchased a sixline wrasse. The Orchid Dottyback kept going after him, but the wrasse didn’t seem to care much. 24 hours later the Dottyback is in hiding due to the Wrasse (who is only 2/3 his size!) after about two weeks they both seem to tolerate each other most of the time. I did see the Dottyback chase after my leopard wrasse a few nights ago, but nothing too serious. I’m willing to get rid of the Dottyback if I have too.

I have a Tomini Tang that’s in the sump because he was pretty relentless going after a new foxface. Sometimes you have good t to act. I’m not sure if the foxface would have made it if I had not caught the Tang. I’m still debating whether I’ll introduce him again or not.

I'm amazed the Tomini bullied your Foxface. I would think all the Foxface had to do was introduce the Tang to his spines and the issue would be settled.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I evict them for 30 days and incarcerate them in an acclimation container,.

 

[mta_morrow]

I just had to remove my yellow tang. He was relentless with my foxface. My tank is at peace now!

Traded him at LFS for a colony of 20+ radioactive dragon eyes.

 

[niQo]

I'm amazed the Tomini bullied your Foxface. I would think all the Foxface had to do was introduce the Tang to his spines and the issue would be settled.

I'm somewhat surprised the Tang didn't get hurt in the process. And I thought the same thing... No one would bother the Foxface...

 

[Garbonzo]

I have a twin bar rabbit fish that gets along with a clown fish, but will kill any new addition smaller than he is. When I put in a fish he will chase it to a crevice and sit the hammering him and biting.

 

[Wichbeast]

I have a Powder brown that turned into a bully and going after the wrasse. I added mirror at one end of the 125 gallon mix reef.
Now he only messes with the mirrow and provides relief for the wrasse

 

[wesman42]

I evict them for 30 days and incarcerate them in an acclimation container,.

Did you give him a 30 day notice before eviction? Might run into some legal problems, so I'd recommend getting it filed ASAP

 

[jdpeters]

Hey guys! I was wondering how others handle it when a fish is bullying others in their tank? Whether it's for territorial reasons or whatever. Do you automatically remove them? Or are these tricks in getting the bully fish to relax and not pester other fish in the tank? Would love to hear what you guys have to say on the matter!

Thanks!

#reefsquad

Fish sticks

 

[LBReefer]

I had a pygmy angel kill several fish. Unfortunately once fish are in your tank, catching them can be impossible. I had to tear down my tank, and drain it, just to catch this little mother.... Now he lives in the sump until I find him a home.

I had the same experience with a pygmy. I was able o lure into a fish trap. I moved him to another tank with a very bossy yellow tang and he's no longer a problem.

 

[Mpal771]

If you can remove him, I would recommend doing so. The stress on the bullied fish may lead to disease for the whole tank. That's to say nothing of your own stress when you feel like you have to constantly stand vigil or be afraid of what you'll find every morning. Chalk it up to learning the hobby and it is a hobby! Ya gotta enjoy that thing!

 

[fishnchip]

If you can remove him, I would recommend doing so. The stress on the bullied fish may lead to disease for the whole tank. That's to say nothing of your own stress when you feel like you have to constantly stand vigil or be afraid of what you'll find every morning. Chalk it up to learning the hobby and it is a hobby! Ya gotta enjoy that thing!

yeah that's a good way to put it! I just feel bad being that it's a super healthy fish that's pretty to look at guess i'll have to do what's best for the reef as a whole

 

[fishnchip]

While Orchids are generally better than other dottybacks, they are still a dottyback and they all suffer from "Little man's syndrome" to some degree. Also, are you sure you got an actual fridmani and not a porphyreus? There are times where even the store gets Purple and Orchids mixed up (with disastrous results).

yes I'm sure it's an Orchid. unfortunate this guy isn't working out

 

[fishnchip]

BHAHAAHAH