What to do with damsel

j86miu · 12/24/2011, 08:58 PM

I have a damsel, a firefish, and a clownfish. I'm torn on whether or not I should keep the damsel.

He never bothers the clownfish who is always in his own little world, but has been nipping at the tail of my firefish. This only happens when the firefish swims backwards into the damsels little cave area.

They eat together fine and I never see the damsel show agression outside his lil cave. It looks more like he is territorial than violent.

Is this normal? Should expect it to get better or worse? Has anybody successfully kept a damsel with a fire fish? It's an azure if that makes a difference.

Thanks

mgraf · 12/24/2011, 09:08 PM

I have a single blue damsel in my reef, I love em', great color. One alone has never caused any issues in my system. Every fish picks and defends his little space in the world.

andy51656 · 12/24/2011, 09:22 PM

Is it causing damage to the firefish? How long have you had the fish together?

j86miu · 12/24/2011, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy51656

Is it causing damage to the firefish? How long have you had the fish together?

Just two days haha...

I re-aquashaped the tank on wednesday. The damsel was already in there, and I added the clown and the firefish on thursday. So they've all been in the tank together since Thursday evening.

As more time passes, does the hostility get worse or better?

WetShepherd · 12/24/2011, 11:15 PM

Based on your description, the firefish should learn to stay away from that particular cave. I'd be tempted to give it a bit of time if there isn't any visible damage being done.

Regarding whether it will get better or worse - Damsels, like most fish, will become more aggressive and territorial once they mature, so that's worth noting if yours is still young. That doesn't mean we know it will, there are lots of contrary examples, but it never hurts to be mindful of what's possible.

WetShepherd · 12/24/2011, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j86miu

As more time passes, does the hostility get worse or better?

As a general rule it gets better. Sometimes they just need to work out territory and pecking order before peace is established.

andy51656 · 12/25/2011, 12:20 PM

How big is your tank? Maybe reaquascape and give the damsel a little corner of the tank so you firefish will hav a big area. The firefish should learn to stay away, most fish don't want to challenge a damsel of the same size if their smart.

Like said above the damsel probably will probably get worse with age. They can get done right nasty.

baja_driver · 12/25/2011, 12:38 PM

i would just let it be.
My damsel used to pick on my purple firefish but now he doesnt bother the fire fish at all

MBWannaBee · 12/25/2011, 07:08 PM

I just had the same problem with my damsel and my firefish and I ended up having to give the damsel to the LFS. He was biting holes in my firefish's fins :/

jbonez · 12/25/2011, 07:25 PM

my blue demsel cause sand storms he ****es me off at time but great color of blue on him...

j86miu · 12/25/2011, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBWannaBee

I just had the same problem with my damsel and my firefish and I ended up having to give the damsel to the LFS. He was biting holes in my firefish's fins :/

how'd you end up catching him?

12/24/2011, 08:58 PM	#1
j86miu Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Queens NY Posts: 114	What to do with damsel I have a damsel, a firefish, and a clownfish. I'm torn on whether or not I should keep the damsel. He never bothers the clownfish who is always in his own little world, but has been nipping at the tail of my firefish. This only happens when the firefish swims backwards into the damsels little cave area. They eat together fine and I never see the damsel show agression outside his lil cave. It looks more like he is territorial than violent. Is this normal? Should expect it to get better or worse? Has anybody successfully kept a damsel with a fire fish? It's an azure if that makes a difference. Thanks

12/24/2011, 11:15 PM	#5
WetShepherd Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 522 Blog Entries: 5	Based on your description, the firefish should learn to stay away from that particular cave. I'd be tempted to give it a bit of time if there isn't any visible damage being done. Regarding whether it will get better or worse - Damsels, like most fish, will become more aggressive and territorial once they mature, so that's worth noting if yours is still young. That doesn't mean we know it will, there are lots of contrary examples, but it never hurts to be mindful of what's possible. __________________ (see blog for pics) 55g Tank (48" x 13" x 21") /c 60lbs LR & 60lbs Sand 2 MP10w 1 Koralia 425 PH, 3 Reef Brite LED Bars, 15g Sump Tunze DOC Skimmer 9002 and 2 150w Eheim Jager Heater @ 78.5 degrees

12/25/2011, 07:25 PM	#10
jbonez SALT LIFE Join Date: May 2008 Location: alabama Posts: 1,188	my blue demsel cause sand storms he ****es me off at time but great color of blue on him... __________________ IT IS WHAT IT IS! Current Tank Info: 75GL MIXED REEF\|40B FRAG LIGHTING -4ft DIY 120 3W CREE LEDS ROYAL BLUES & COOL WHITES\| FLOW-vortech mp40 \| BRS HC GFO TLF REACTOR W/COBOLT MJ600\| REEF OCTOPUS BH90 SKIMMER\| TUNZE OSMOLATOR 3155 ATO W/MAGNETS\|REEF KEEPER ELITE.

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12/24/2011, 09:08 PM	#2
mgraf Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Canal Fulton Posts: 741	I have a single blue damsel in my reef, I love em', great color. One alone has never caused any issues in my system. Every fish picks and defends his little space in the world.

12/24/2011, 09:22 PM	#3
andy51656 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Iowa Posts: 36	Is it causing damage to the firefish? How long have you had the fish together?

12/25/2011, 12:20 PM	#7
andy51656 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Iowa Posts: 36	How big is your tank? Maybe reaquascape and give the damsel a little corner of the tank so you firefish will hav a big area. The firefish should learn to stay away, most fish don't want to challenge a damsel of the same size if their smart. Like said above the damsel probably will probably get worse with age. They can get done right nasty.

12/25/2011, 12:38 PM	#8
baja_driver Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: grove city ohio Posts: 70	i would just let it be. My damsel used to pick on my purple firefish but now he doesnt bother the fire fish at all

12/25/2011, 07:08 PM	#9
MBWannaBee Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Sunny CA Posts: 112	I just had the same problem with my damsel and my firefish and I ended up having to give the damsel to the LFS. He was biting holes in my firefish's fins :/