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I have cycled my tank using live rock and introduced two Damsels (a neon damsel and a regal damsel) about two weeks ago. A couple of days ago I introduced a skunk clown fish to the tank. The clown is smaller than the damsels and the neon damsel won't stop bullying the little fella. Is there anything I can do to stop this? Will they eventually get use to each other and stop the bullying?

Removing the damsel is the best option. They are inheriently aggressive towards tank mates, especially in smaller tanks.

Common damsels, like those you've described, tend to be good starter fish because they're hardy, cheap, and very appealing. But when damsels are given time to develop and grow, they certainly will! I like to think of damsels being sort of like tiger barbs, they can be very fin-nippy and semi-aggressive. It's a good chance, depending on what size tank you have, that the damsels can stress the clown out to the point of death.

You may have this problem with other fish too; I suggest now that your tank is cycled you bring the damsels back, and try with calmer damsels, like the clown. G/L


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Last edited by DarkRealm Overlord at 10-Mar-2005 20:59

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

I've just spoke to a aquarium, they suggested removing the damsels in a glass for about 15-20 min and then re-introduce them. Would this work or is it a waste of time?

If your just trying to change the territory, then you can move stuff around in the tank. Move rocks, what ever. This will force all the fish to find a new area.

Dan


Dan

Glass wouldn't work, might stress the fish out. Sounds to me like a "time out". I don't think a fish would get that.

Sounds to me like a "time out". I don't think a fish would get that.

Actually time outs do work, but most of the time people banish the fish to their sump or refugium for a couple weeks. I do however doubt that 15 minutes would do any good.



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