Agressive Fire Dartfish

[PJ_Marley]

(I am new to salt water aquariums so tell me if the tank is to small) I recently added 2 Fire Dartfish (Nemateleoltris Magnifica) to my 40 gallon tank. They are sharing room with a small clown fish and 3 PJ cardinal fish, and have taken up residence in a log on the unshaded side of the tank. Whenever the clown fish tries to enter the log both of the Dartfish will immediately attack the clown regardless of their location. These fish are timid in any other situation and the cardinal fish (except at night) stay to themselves ; it is the same situation if the cardinals try though. Is this normal for fire fish?

[leebca]

I don't think there is any space problems in this setup. That is, I don't perceive any overcrowding issues.

The Dart Fish have seemingly taken possession of that particular place, the log that is. They defend it even when not close by. I assume the log is a decoration, not a real log made out of wood, right?

I'd say this is a bit unusual, but not impossible as marine fishes go. Some become very attached to a space or area in a tank, even if the place/space is much smaller to what they are used to claiming.

[PJ_Marley]

Thank you I was simply just curious at their odd behavior (I had not heard of them being aggressive) . Yes it is a decorative log, though why they chose the log over the live rock is beyond me. No harm seems to have occurred as they simply dart at the trespasser startling them away. I'll leave it in there till I find a suitable live-rock substitute I suppose. It seems salt water fish have more personality then other fish I have tended to in the past.