Damsel Temperment Question

Reefkeeping, Coral, Fish and Invertebrates.

Moderator: snoopdog

Post Reply
Babyreef
Amoeba
Posts: 164
Joined: Sat Oct 17, 2009 12:24 am
Location: Mobile

Damsel Temperment Question

Post by Babyreef »

I have had the damsel from day one of the system and he started nice but has a bad temper now. He doesnt actually bite any of the fish but he definitely lets everyone know he is the boss.
My question is how can you get a damsel to ease up a notch so I can add a new fish with minimal stress? Any tips or tricks?
User avatar
Amphiprion
Astrea snail
Posts: 1472
Joined: Sat Mar 05, 2005 10:41 pm
Location: Mobile, AL

Re: Damsel Temperment Question

Post by Amphiprion »

Several different ways/views on this. You can introduce more than one fish at one time, which has its own downsides, like quarantine complications. There's also housing the damsel or new fish in a clear "breeder" container used for livebearers. Turning off the tank lights for 24 hours and/or rearranging the aquascape can help as well. Beyond that, it is up to the individual--it is entirely possible that subsequent additions may never be tolerated well anymore. I suspect your damsel has matured, which usuually results in more aggression. Considering how many damsels stick to one particular territory in the wild (usually comparatively small, at least in reference to other fish), so it is advantageous to them. Sticking out as a juvenile or young indivdual, on the other hand, is usually not.
Andrew

25g planted nature aquarium
AddictedToReefs
Amoeba
Posts: 55
Joined: Sun Jan 08, 2012 6:16 pm
Are you a Bot ?: No

Re: Damsel Temperment Question

Post by AddictedToReefs »

I have a fish trap you can borrow if you decide you wanna try and catch him.
Babyreef
Amoeba
Posts: 164
Joined: Sat Oct 17, 2009 12:24 am
Location: Mobile

Re: Damsel Temperment Question

Post by Babyreef »

Thanks for the info. I just finished doing a lot of reading on this damsel of mine (i know i should have in the first place) and realized this guy really needs a different home. So i pulled him out and he is sitting in the sump. On another note if anyone wants him your welcome to pick him up. Mine is over 2" and still a young one and has not began his color morph. Here are some links for his type.
http://www.freshmarine.com/bluefin-damsel.html
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod ... pcatid=765
http://www.thereeftank.com/compare-reef ... h/reviews/
http://www.fishbase.org/summary/Neoglyp ... melas.html

Side note, mine so far has not nipped at coral however i feed a lot, also has no interest in my shrimp, peppermint and tiger pistol, but again he is still only half adult size.
Babyreef
Amoeba
Posts: 164
Joined: Sat Oct 17, 2009 12:24 am
Location: Mobile

Re: Damsel Temperment Question

Post by Babyreef »

AddictedToReefs wrote:I have a fish trap you can borrow if you decide you wanna try and catch him.
Thank you for the offer, i just scooped him out with a net. he will be in sump until i find him a home.
AddictedToReefs
Amoeba
Posts: 55
Joined: Sun Jan 08, 2012 6:16 pm
Are you a Bot ?: No

Re: Damsel Temperment Question

Post by AddictedToReefs »

No problem glad he was easy to catch. Most all of my customers have bought damsels only to want them gone for the same reason.
User avatar
Fishfood
Chromis
Posts: 1831
Joined: Sat Feb 22, 2003 12:41 pm
Are you a Bot ?: No
Location: Mobile

Re: Damsel Temperment Question

Post by Fishfood »

I recently added an azure and yellowtail to my tank. Those two are two of the more mellow damsels and add great color for a budget price.
Post Reply