Damsel Bully

[lissa]

I have lost a Blue Tang to this guy(blue-yellow tail)....and now it has bullied his mate.

I noticed today the smaller damsel has lost most of it's back fin and sides, almost down to the blue, no yellow is visible.

Should I isolate the beaten-up damsel ?

Will the tail grow back ??? or should I put it out of it's misery ?

Should I just flush the bully down and hope for the best on the damsel is distress.

[lunatik_69]

The tail will grow back, just feed it. Thats why I dislike damsels. If you care about the rest of your fishes, get him out and trade him in. Luna

BTW, sorry for your loss

[wareagle35031]

I had 3 of those fish for a while and they were all very aggressive, didnt want to loose any expensive fish so i traded them. Hope this helps, sorry for the loss.

[phoenixhieghts]

I had 3 at one point too. I was hoping they would school, and all the texts i had read about them said "keep in 2's or 3's to thrive" However one turned dominant and bullied all the other fish and anything i put in the tank.

So i got rid of him - then another one turned dominant and started doing exactly the same!!

So i got rid of him. I just have the one now who is quite timid and spends most of his time getting chased by the male anthias i have!

[amcarrig]

Once you put more than one damsel in a tank, you're asking for trouble. That's why I only use ONE yellow tailed blue damsel to cycle a tank. Once you add another, they pair up and wreak havoc on their tankmates.

[evojoe67]

i've never heard anything but horror stories about these fish.
much better off with some chromises.

[omard]

Originally Posted by evojoe67

i've never heard anything but horror stories about these fish.
much better off with some chromises.

(Here is one...so you don't have to say that again...)




Can be a bad apple in any kind of fish.

Damsels may have these tendencies then other species, but I think they get mostly a bad rep. because they are a very Territorial fish and need room. Yellowtails apparently more then most.

Never had a problem with mine. Have pair of yellowtails and pair of humbugs.

Added as pairs, late and as juveniles.

Will play "chase" with each other, but never, never do any damage to selves or other fish.

May be this "play" characteristic that is often mistaken for aggressiveness...

Hate to see this inexpensive, vibrant and beautiful fish overlooked as a possible tank inhabitant.

note:
Get rid of sick fish first. Any weak/injured fish may be picked on.
Keep eye on remaining damsel. If continues to show bullying tendencies, get him out also.

[lissa]

Thanks guys

I will follow your advice, I will isolate the aggressive one and hope for the best on the injured one.

And if all fails....I will try to trade them in at the LFS.

I also have a 4 stipe damsel(white/black stripes), he seems harmless at the moment, but will an eye out for him too.

Sadly, my LFS suggested the blue/yellow as the better choice( less aggresive they said) and the same for the stripped one.

lissa

[Bogie]

I started my tank with 2 yellow-tailed blue damsels. The bigger one used to chase around the other fish only sometimes, but now they are both fine. They cause no trouble at all for the 2 clowns, leopard wrasse, or the blue tang. From what I've heard, they are the least aggressive damsel there is. Wouldn't want a domino or three striped damsel though...

[amcarrig]

Originally Posted by Bogie

Wouldn't want a domino or three striped damsel though...

Me neither. Those are some evil damselfish.