Damsel expert in the house?

[Modemagic]

I have a quick question about my blue damsel. I got it a week ago and I noticed it picked one corner of my tank to decide to dig up. I took a turkey baster and replaced all the sand to fill it in, and in a matter of a few hours the silly thing had the hole dug. Any ideas what its doing? Laying eggs or something perhaps? Clearly I'm clueless here.....

 

[edwing206]

my clown used to do te same thing. it was weird.
i like you avatar.

 

[llebcire]

I used to have a similar damsel (blue but with yellow tail) that used to dig in the corner...very annoying!

I didn't find any way to stop it other than a little re-arranging to cover the spot.

 

[Modemagic]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9336892#post9336892 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by edwing206
my clown used to do te same thing. it was weird.
i like you avatar.

I highly suspected I simply had the retarded fish of the bunch... of course I would, why wouldn't I?

I married the woman those legs in my avatar are attached too....

 

[mwood]

Damsels are very territorial and like to establish in a hole or safe location. If your live rock doesn't have a small hole no other fish can fit into, he may be establishing in that corner. Is he trying to hide in there?

 

[glaspie69]

I'm far from an expert but the yellow damsel I've had since I started salt water has dug a hole in every tank I've ever had. I think it's really just there way of settling in, they make a nice burrow type deal that they feel is safe, they make sure it has a good view, and it usually messes your entire tank up completely. Most people don't like damsels but I think one is good, the only time there mean is when you invade there space, other than that mine swims with the other fish and is happy as can be.

 

[Atticus]

It is a nesting behavior. It is no indication of spawning activity, just house cleaning. Clownfish are also from the Damsel family.

 

[llebcire]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9338157#post9338157 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by glaspie69
the only time there mean is when you invade there space

I had a three stripe that apparently its "space" included the entire 75g tank as it was aggressive whenever I tried to clean the tank...its space is now the fuge...

I also need to pull the male clown from the tank whenever I clean it or he'll go after me as well.

 

[acidlittle]

I siphoned mine out! LOL took a tube started the siphon and somehow got him on the end. Then put a net under him and pulled him out! Might have been a righteous act of god that I got him that way, but I got him!