I purchased 3 blue chomis in early October 20112. They, along with a diamond goby were the first fish for my 5 week old 120. The cycle was finished and they did quite well except for bullying by the larger dominate chromis. Interestingly, this fish assumes a darker color from time to time. This larger fish focused on one of his comrades and quickly cowed it. I decided to add 2 additional slightly smaller chromis. Immediately the slightly larger of the two newest started to bully his smaller tankmate and the dominate larger continued to bully both the weaker of the original 3 plus the smaller of the 2 new fish.
I tried heavy feeding several times a day. I did get good growth on all except the smallest. After about 1 month the smaller of the original three seemed completly cowed and not eating well. Seems much of the violence occurs at night over hiding places in the rock work. These fishes spend much of the day hiding, coming out only to eat. I watched the little one slowly go down hill. Apparently, I have a good environment as several of this fish would show up with wounds that would heal in a week or two. But I had no deaths.
Finally, in May 2013, the weakest of the original three came out, or was forced out, into the open. He had a high respiration rate and a shrunken belly. Placed him into the refugium. Lasted 2 days, ignoring all the pods, and died. My first tank death.
Remember the the little one? Something strange happened. I thought he would follow the other then suddenly he started swimming over the top of the reef. The dominate fish did try to put him down but but the small fish would maneuver, avoiding the bully. The other smaller chromis who originally also bullied his smaller tank mate started hiding more. This complete role reversal came a complete surprise. The answer came in the form of another new arrival a lawn mower blenny. The blenny, named "Jack" will literally push his way into a fight between the chromis. I have seen him ram that large dominate chromis and now the bully will give way when Jack shows up. Like most lawn mowers, Jack moves around quite a bit but he has certain favorite perches. When Jack finally slows down for the night, he likes one particular spot and now the tiny chromis sleeps next to him. They actually get quite close even touching. All the others now leave the small one pretty much alone and Jack continues his benevolent rule. [ He even knocked a cleaner shrimp off my yellow diamond goby!] Seems he does not like conflict. Other than the above he never bothers anyone else in the tank. And NO I do not have a video or photos as it usually happens very fast and since his rule has been established now rarely. I still have the remaining 4 chomis and a fishy peace reigns in the tank. :lol2:
