Damselfish strange behaviour

DJD46 · 10/08/2017, 03:18 PM

One of my Black fin Damselfish is moving sand around in my tank using his mouth. Any suggestions why he would be doing this? It's quite aggrevating as he just deposits it anywhere including on top of some soft corals.

Sk8r · 10/08/2017, 03:33 PM

He's decorating. The striped ones can pick up an unsecured coral and fling it. Moving sand---he's just sculpting a place he defines as his, and it's sort of a threat display. Try putting the coral higher on the rock. I should add, damsels in under 50 gallons, except for the quietest clowns, can be a serious problem to other fish. They are best kept in 100 or more gallons in multiples introduced to each other when juveniles (they are generally sold as juveniles). They can be quite territorial to other fishes, so a lot of room is mandatory.

DJD46 · 10/09/2017, 05:25 PM

Thanks for the info, i'm relatively new to reef tanks. I bought this established (220 Gal.) tank about six months ago and this behavior only be in the last few weeks.

10/08/2017, 03:18 PM	#1
DJD46 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Calary, AB, Canada Posts: 3	Damselfish strange behaviour One of my Black fin Damselfish is moving sand around in my tank using his mouth. Any suggestions why he would be doing this? It's quite aggrevating as he just deposits it anywhere including on top of some soft corals.

10/08/2017, 03:33 PM	#2
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	He's decorating. The striped ones can pick up an unsecured coral and fling it. Moving sand---he's just sculpting a place he defines as his, and it's sort of a threat display. Try putting the coral higher on the rock. I should add, damsels in under 50 gallons, except for the quietest clowns, can be a serious problem to other fish. They are best kept in 100 or more gallons in multiples introduced to each other when juveniles (they are generally sold as juveniles). They can be quite territorial to other fishes, so a lot of room is mandatory. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

10/09/2017, 05:25 PM	#3
DJD46 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Calary, AB, Canada Posts: 3	Thanks for the info, i'm relatively new to reef tanks. I bought this established (220 Gal.) tank about six months ago and this behavior only be in the last few weeks.