Damsel harassing new yellow tang!

[Philip S.]

Earlier today I decided to check out this new fish store that just recently opened up down the street and ended up taking home a 2" yellow tang, really healthy looking fish and everything but as soon as he was done acclimating I introduced him into the tank and almost emediately my 4 stripe damsel started nipping at him and giving him a hard time. The damsel is almost exactly the same size as my new yellow tang which is why it concerns me. Will she eventually start leaving him alone or will this behavior persist? Thanks everybody! :wave:

 

[Reefing Newbie]

Hard to say how long this will go on. I personally wouldn't recommend any of the black and white damsels (4 stripe, 3 stripe, domino, etc.) unless the tank is pretty big. The difference in color and shape (somewhat at least) should mean that the damsel should lay off in a few days, but if it doesn't take the damsel back.

Also, reading your other thread, I would say you are moving too fast in adding fish. You want to wait 2-4 weeks between additions while you QT your next fish. QT will help fish get used to captive life and fatten up. It will also help keep many preventable diseases from getting into your main tank.

 

[Philip S.]

Hard to say how long this will go on. I personally wouldn't recommend any of the black and white damsels (4 stripe, 3 stripe, domino, etc.) unless the tank is pretty big. The difference in color and shape (somewhat at least) should mean that the damsel should lay off in a few days, but if it doesn't take the damsel back.

Also, reading your other thread, I would say you are moving too fast in adding fish. You want to wait 2-4 weeks between additions while you QT your next fish. QT will help fish get used to captive life and fatten up. It will also help keep many preventable diseases from getting into your main tank.

Alright, thanks for the tip. But, actually the tank is doing very well, all levels are nearly perfect and the tank has been setup for almost 2 months now, but thank you for the heads up on quarantine :wave:

 

[snorvich]

Hard to say how long this will go on. I personally wouldn't recommend any of the black and white damsels (4 stripe, 3 stripe, domino, etc.) unless the tank is pretty big. The difference in color and shape (somewhat at least) should mean that the damsel should lay off in a few days, but if it doesn't take the damsel back.

Also, reading your other thread, I would say you are moving too fast in adding fish. You want to wait 2-4 weeks between additions while you QT your next fish. QT will help fish get used to captive life and fatten up. It will also help keep many preventable diseases from getting into your main tank.

I agree. By the way 2 months is nothing in terms of longevity. Since the tank is new, there is unlikely to be a lot for a grazer to eat.

 

[snorvich]

And as to the original question the harassment may never stop.

 

[alexrex20]

I would remove the damsel. It may stop harassing the yellow tang, but it's sure to harass every new fish you try to add to the tank.

Also, I'm one of the many (but still in the minority) that swear against using a quarantine tank. I will not go any further than that; just know that there is a widely differing opinion on the efficacy and necessity of a QT tank.

 

[falconut]

I had one of the striped damsels back when I first setup my 44 gallon tank. It was a nasty bugger and even chased the other damsels. I would recommend removing him.

 

[MrTuskfish]

Don't take this as a negative; but IMO & IME; you are making 2 huge mistakes that could ruin our hobby for you. 1.) Not using a QT. (I would add "especially on a tang", but that implies some fish are OK to go QT-less---all fish need to be in a QT) 2.) Owning a damsel. Some of these little terrors do well for some folks; but most will mercilessly harass new fish, then start on existing ones. They are pretty little fish; but as long as you have them, they, not you; will decide what fish you can keep.

 

[Beach Bum 70]

Get the damsels out they will never stop!
You will have this problem with every fish you put in there.
They think they are biger then they are!