[naubeaner]

I have a 55 gal. tank with 2 false pecular clownfish, 1 yellow sailfin tang, and 1 6 line wrasse. I recently bought 4 green chromis. I did research on them for I bought them and read they would get along with the fish I have in the tank. To double check I asked the guy that was selling me the fish at the local pet store. He said they would be fine as long as they weren't with damsels. I knew I couldnt have damsels because of my clownfish so I thought I was ok. Now that I have all the chromis and other fish together in my tank now, the clownfish (bigger of the two) and wrasse are beating up the chromis. Was all the information I recieved wrong? Or are the clownfish and wrasse just being territorial and will stop after awhile? I need help. I dont want the chromis to stuffer over my mistake.

[leebca]

You don't mention relative sizes of your fishes. That can make a difference.

More than likely the female clownfish is defending a real or imagined territory. That may never stop.

The 6 Line Wrasse can have an attitude problem if it is not getting the space and food it thinks it should be getting. When a new fish(s) enter the scene, that means (to its small brain) it will now be more crowded and have less food to eat.

Watch a few more days and if it doesn't taper off, get something out, rearrange the decorations (to disturb territories) and review their diet.

[John Hamilton]

I believe the Clownfish are damsels and the Six Line can be aggresive, I know from experiance.

[The R/C Man]

naubeaner,

Welcome to Reefland!

I just wanted to bring up a potentional issue with your fish. The tang that you currenlty have will reach 12" in length which is way to large for your system. I know it is hard to do but you should considering taking it in to the fish store or giving it to another aquarist with a larger tank. Living in cramped quaters will stress the fish and it will considerably decrease its mortality.

[BubbaWPB]

The squabbling may calm down a bit in a few days. If not, I'd take Lee's suggestion and rearrange the tank. Normally clowns and green chromis will get along ok. The green chromis are pretty passive.

Under ideal conditions, one would add the more docile fish (chromis) first, then the most aggressive last. But when there are already fish in the tank, the next best thing is to rearrange the "furniture" to disorient the territorial ones. Good luck!