Damsel fish fighting

Steelers7 · 07-30-2005, 03:05 PM

Whats up everyone. I added my first fish last week. A yellowtailed damsel. I just got my second fish today, a three striped damsel. As soon as I releasd the 3 striped in the tank, the yellowtailed and the 3 stripe have been fighting. Will this stop after they get used to each other? Or will one eventually get killed?

mmakay · 07-30-2005, 03:50 PM

You didn't mention the size of the tank, which is very important because they are fighting for territory. That said, damsels are mean bastards, and they will probably fight each other until one dies. Any other fish you are also likely to be abused unless they are even bigger and more agressive. (triggers, puffers, groupers ... not much from the "reef safe" catagory)

APC · 07-30-2005, 04:07 PM

Watch your hands when you put them in the tank too. The three stripes like to bite! It does not really hurt, its like a little pinch, but it suprises you :-)

Steelers7 · 07-30-2005, 04:37 PM

They are the only fish in a 55. Seems like they the calmed down some though. Thanks for the replies.

Steelers7 · 07-30-2005, 05:02 PM

Also, I'm hoping to add 2 clowns in a week or two. Hopefully these fish will calm down. If not, I might have to get rid of them.

Birdlady · 07-30-2005, 06:15 PM

4 damselfish are tooooo much for a 55!

Here is a link, damsels, clowns, anemonefish....all are quite aggresive towards each other..

Hmm, I cannot get the link to post...go to google.com and type in damselfish

It is the very first link that comes up,it is for Reefimages.com

9 pages of damselfish, they are very territorial!

Steelers7 · 07-31-2005, 11:08 AM

Birdlady- I only have 2 damsel fish, 1 yellowtail, and 1 "3 striped". They have plenty of room to move around. They seemed to chill out a little, but are still fighting on occasion. Here is what I want to add in the future
2 Clown fish
1 Yellow tang

Will the damsels attack these fish, if so, I might just get rid of them.
Thanks.

Birdlady · 07-31-2005, 11:59 AM

Clown fish are considered damselfish...I was referring to you adding the two clownfish..sorry, I was not very clear.

You think the damsels you have are mean? What kind of clowns were you considering, cause they are down right territorial.

http://www.reefimages.com/

click on "fish" then go down and click on "Damsels , Anemonefish"

There is an extensive list of clowns, damsels, anemonefish...very aggressive fish, all!

Steelers7 · 07-31-2005, 10:10 PM

Birdlady- I wanted to add 2 tank breed Ocellaris Clownfish, and also a Yellow tang down the road. I'd rather have the 2 clownfish instead of the yellowtail and 3 striped damsels, so I might just trade them in.

What cool peaceful fish do you think would get along with the yellow tang and the clowns?

APC · 08-01-2005, 05:38 AM

You might want to check this link out. It is a compatability chart for SW fish from www.liveaquaria.com I would not go by it 100% but it is a great place to start. Once I find a fish combination that looks good on paper, I then ask others about the individual fish to see if they have any real life experience with them. Here is the link:
http://www.liveaquaria.com/general/g...3319&subref=AH