Fish attacking fish

Netto · 07-07-2004, 10:54 AM

I have recently (Yesterday) introduced two small percular clown fish into my tank which has only one other fish a humbug damsel, they took to the tank straight away swimming freely, Surfing the current from the two power heads, but the damsel is continously attacking (darting towards them) the fish, is this normal? will it stop? how do i stop it?

Many thanks

**Ninong** · 07-07-2004, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Netto

..the damsel is continously attacking (darting towards them) the fish, is this normal?

Yes.

Quote:

will it stop?

Maybe, maybe not.

Quote:

how do i stop it?

By removing the damsel and returning it to the store.

dougc · 07-07-2004, 12:58 PM

As someone once said, "If damsels were the size of sharks, the sharks would be afraid!". If the clowns survive a few days, things will probably settle down.

Adding new fish to an established tank can be tricky. The best way to stock a tank is to figure out what you want to keep and add the least aggressive fish first. Unfortunately, this does not work if you give in to an impulse buy and bring home a Sohal tang as your first fish. It is not easy, but I walked away from a very nice mimic tang in the LFS this week because it would make it difficult to add the other fish that I plan to have in the tank.

If your aquascaping permits, you could put an acrylic divider in the tank to temporarily separate the damsel from the clowns. The damsel can see the clowns, but not physically attack them. After a week or so of this, the damsel may lose interest and the divider can be removed.

**kevinpo** · 07-08-2004, 12:42 AM

Quote:

"If damsels were the size of sharks, the sharks would be afraid!".

Doug,
I heard it a little differently

"If damsels were the size of sharks they would be the only fish left in the ocean".

Great advice!

Regards,
Kevin

salttanker · 07-09-2004, 05:38 PM

I had a Damsel that was so mean, that it actually tried to intimdate my Niger Trigger when I introduced him to the tank. That didn't last very long..

Mike

patrice · 02-20-2006, 02:23 PM

I had to get rid of my dansel in order to keep the percular clown.

KWN80 · 02-20-2006, 03:20 PM

Im having a similar problem with 2 blue damsels in my tank. Any advice on catching them.

mikey · 02-20-2006, 05:17 PM

i have 3 damsels which i want to return to the store...can anyone please give me any advice on catching them? somone mentioned building a trap out of a 2 liter bottle, but how would you do that? also i have a black and white banner fish and recently i have noticed little white sopts on his fins is this ich? if it is i want to do somthing about it before it gets out of hand. i apreciate any advice that you can give me.
thanks
mikey

tlauts · 02-20-2006, 07:47 PM

Look at it this way, your Damsels were probably only $5 each, your clowns were probably $20 each. Which investment would you like to save?

Green Marine · 02-22-2006, 11:14 AM

I here that if you buy small minnow hooks that it could do the trick....But im sure there is a problem with damaging the fish. Also if you slowly feed your fish in a clear plastic container or a net they will eventually get used to it. Unfortunatly for me I didnt know this tactic when i was taking my damsels out. I have a 35 gallon which lucky for me isnt really that big. It took me about an hour to catch both of them. I had 2 hands and 2 nets in there trying to get these things out. Whats funny though is that my other fish almost knew what i was doing and it was if they were helping me....the damsels would swim in there territory and they would run them back out in the open. Lol see damsels are crazy. It seems like no one loves them lol

.

tango · 02-24-2006, 09:04 PM

I've had pretty good results catching fish using a clear plastic containers like they have in the LFS, put it in your tank sideways and put some pellet food in it, the food will sit in the container,fish come in to eat,then turn container upright and raise it straight up. I have 90 gal reef w/fish and lots of LR and corals and have found this to be the least disruptive and easiest.
Hope this helps you LOL

07-07-2004, 10:54 AM	#1
Netto New in Town Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 3	Fish attacking fish I have recently (Yesterday) introduced two small percular clown fish into my tank which has only one other fish a humbug damsel, they took to the tank straight away swimming freely, Surfing the current from the two power heads, but the damsel is continously attacking (darting towards them) the fish, is this normal? will it stop? how do i stop it? Many thanks

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Pakastani Butterfly fish attacking my Yellow striped marroons	ICEQUBE	Saltwater (Fish-Only) Aquariums	3	02-20-2004 06:00 PM
Fish Room	Larry	Reef Aquariums	1	08-31-2003 10:10 PM
Show us your FAVORITE FISH in your tank	RudeBoy	Reef Aquariums	5	07-26-2001 10:51 PM
Need YOUR help to build FAQ pages on ALL fish species!	Seafan	Saltwater (Fish-Only) Aquariums	3	07-25-2001 08:09 PM
Need YOUR help to build FAQ pages on ALL fish species!	Seafan	Reef Aquariums	0	07-23-2001 06:00 PM

07-07-2004, 12:58 PM	#3
dougc Contributing Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Cherry Hill, NJ Posts: 482	As someone once said, "If damsels were the size of sharks, the sharks would be afraid!". If the clowns survive a few days, things will probably settle down. Adding new fish to an established tank can be tricky. The best way to stock a tank is to figure out what you want to keep and add the least aggressive fish first. Unfortunately, this does not work if you give in to an impulse buy and bring home a Sohal tang as your first fish. It is not easy, but I walked away from a very nice mimic tang in the LFS this week because it would make it difficult to add the other fish that I plan to have in the tank. If your aquascaping permits, you could put an acrylic divider in the tank to temporarily separate the damsel from the clowns. The damsel can see the clowns, but not physically attack them. After a week or so of this, the damsel may lose interest and the divider can be removed.

07-09-2004, 05:38 PM	#5
salttanker Citizen Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Gilbert, AZ. Posts: 106	I had a Damsel that was so mean, that it actually tried to intimdate my Niger Trigger when I introduced him to the tank. That didn't last very long.. Mike

02-20-2006, 02:23 PM	#6
patrice New in Town Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: lexington'ky Posts: 2	I had to get rid of my dansel in order to keep the percular clown.

02-20-2006, 03:20 PM	#7
KWN80 Just Moved In Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 8	Im having a similar problem with 2 blue damsels in my tank. Any advice on catching them.

02-20-2006, 05:17 PM	#8
mikey New in Town Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: montreal Posts: 3	i have 3 damsels which i want to return to the store...can anyone please give me any advice on catching them? somone mentioned building a trap out of a 2 liter bottle, but how would you do that? also i have a black and white banner fish and recently i have noticed little white sopts on his fins is this ich? if it is i want to do somthing about it before it gets out of hand. i apreciate any advice that you can give me. thanks mikey

02-20-2006, 07:47 PM	#9
tlauts New in Town Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: West Chester, PA Posts: 1	Look at it this way, your Damsels were probably only $5 each, your clowns were probably $20 each. Which investment would you like to save?

02-22-2006, 11:14 AM	#10
Green Marine Just Moved In Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Spring, Tx Posts: 46	I here that if you buy small minnow hooks that it could do the trick....But im sure there is a problem with damaging the fish. Also if you slowly feed your fish in a clear plastic container or a net they will eventually get used to it. Unfortunatly for me I didnt know this tactic when i was taking my damsels out. I have a 35 gallon which lucky for me isnt really that big. It took me about an hour to catch both of them. I had 2 hands and 2 nets in there trying to get these things out. Whats funny though is that my other fish almost knew what i was doing and it was if they were helping me....the damsels would swim in there territory and they would run them back out in the open. Lol see damsels are crazy. It seems like no one loves them lol .

02-24-2006, 09:04 PM	#11
tango Just Moved In Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: CT Posts: 35	I've had pretty good results catching fish using a clear plastic containers like they have in the LFS, put it in your tank sideways and put some pellet food in it, the food will sit in the container,fish come in to eat,then turn container upright and raise it straight up. I have 90 gal reef w/fish and lots of LR and corals and have found this to be the least disruptive and easiest. Hope this helps you LOL

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)