Damselfish aggression.

[Tarzanboyy]

Hey, all. New to the forums, but not to fishkeeping. I've encountered a slight problem. I'll spare you the sordid history, but to make a long story short, I'm stuck with this four stripe damsel that, while I knew going into taking him was an aggressive species, was not aware that he was the fish version of Russell Crowe. He's been my only fish for a few months and I was getting bored staring at him so i got a couple of green reef chromis (a fish I have quite a bit of experience with) to add to the tank. The damselfish did not take kindly to the new additions and immediately started harassing them. The Chromis are slightly smaller than the damsel (though not by much) so I thought buying a pair might dissuade him from bothering them (it's a small tank so I didn't want to add a group). I killed the light and that seems to settle him down a bit. Anyway, I'm going to be setting up a large tank again soon, but in the meantime, I need some suggestions on how to curb his aggression, if you guys have any. There's also a little firefish in the tank, but I haven't been able to gauge the damsel's reaction to him as he's been hiding in the rocks since he arrived. Thanks in advance,

~Tim

[mal211]

How big is the tank and how much live rock do you have in it? I think it can make a big difference.

Introducing new fish to an aggressive fish can cause problems...I have heard that reintroducing an aggressive fish with his tank mates to a "new" tank can be beneficial...ie. redesign the rock formations to make the tank appear new to all inhabitants. I had to move my two damsels from my 20g to my 72g because they were picking on the other fish and shrimp.

My experience is that all fish have different personalities so it is difficult to give you a precise answer. Hopefully other people can chime in and add their opinions.

Best of luck!

[Reefing Madness]

You can move the Live Rock around. Make it appear to him like a new tank, then his territory will not be his anymore.

[Tarzanboyy]

I like your suggestion. I'll let you know how it goes.

[Reefing Madness]

I like your suggestion. I'll let you know how it goes.

[unfucwitabLe]

usually works for a while unless the damsel really does not like the look on those chromis's face...

[Reefing Madness]

usually works for a while unless the damsel really does not like the look on those chromis's face...

[unfucwitabLe]

any luck yet with it's agression?

[Tarzanboyy]

I took out the rocks he uses as a refuge and he mellowed way out. At least for now...