Black blenny vs. Lawnmower blenny?

[smcdonn]

Well guys I have had my black blenny in my 75 gallon for about 2 weeks now. I talked with the store that I bought it from and they didn't see a problem addind the lawnmower in with it. I also called another store for their opinion and they thought it would be fine also. Well I got the lawnmower about 2 hours ago and just now let him go in the tank. I don't think my black blenny liked him. He chased him around the tank for a second then backed off. Any time they get close, the black blenny chases the lawnmower. What is your opinions on this. Did I make a wrong move?

 

[Freyr]

Blennies are often territorial with each other. My cousin has two blennies in his 90 and they fight whenever they see each other. At first they constantly fought, but once we made some distinct territories with live rock on opposite sides of the tank, they left each other alone.

Try to make it so they can't see each other too easily in the tank and they may be better.
If not, you can go to the store you bought the fish from and complain they gave you bad advice and give the lawnmower back.

 

[ghostrida3]

in my experience blennies will attack anything that resembles them or that shares their same habitat, mine even continued to attack a royal gramma that didnt make it. I cant believe they even recomended that.

 

[smcdonn]

I got about 120lbs of live rock in the tank so there is plenty of places for them to make home. I will wait a few days to see how everything turns out. I turned the lights off and everything has calmed down. I hope all will be well

 

[ghostrida3]

let me know how it goes. mine will run accross the rocks looking trouble. if anything catches his eye hes takin out. as far as hes concerned the reef and the back glass is his.

 

[hgbarwick]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7603353#post7603353 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ghostrida3
in my experience blennies will attack anything that resembles them or that shares their same habitat, mine even continued to attack a royal gramma that didnt make it. I cant believe they even recomended that.

I kept a Gold Headed Sleeper Goby and a Midas Blenny in my 90 galon. They are similar looking. They both lived peacefully until my coral banded shrimp got ahold of my midas blenny.

 

[Sk8r]

Things that help stop a fish fight: 1) feed and satiate the in-tank fish before someone new splashes into their water. 2) turn off the lights and leave them in the dark a bit.
3) move a significant rock. This confuses territoriality.
4) put a piece of egg crate in to stop a go-round-the-rock chase.

 

[hgbarwick]

Those are great ideas