false percs with chromis

[katarina]

I have a pair of false percs and one green chromis. They are the only fish in the tank and they have made a school. The female false perc is the clear leader but they all stay together and sleep together. Is this unusual?

 

[Mike31154]

Not sure if it's considered unusual. I do know that when I had 3 Chromis in my system with a Maroon Clownfish pair, they didn't all school together, the Maroons hosted in a GBTA. The Chromis were more or less tolerated by the Maroon female whereas a Blue Devil Damselfish was definitely on the hit list of Mama Maroon. Clownfish & Chromis are part of the Damselfish family, so I guess it's not that much of a stretch that the critters in your system seem to get along so well. Not sure how long you've had all these guys, but at some point the false percs may form a mated pair and I'd say the Chromis will be evicted from the current school.

 

[katarina]

The clownfish are a pair. The chromis picked at the male and the female charged at the chromis, when that wasn't enough she head butted him in the side and nipped him. Since then they all stay together. My clowns are currently being hosted by hair algae so there isn't anything to keep the chromis away. I only bought the one chromis because I read that if kept in a school they will keep killing each other until only one is left. Is that true or should I buy him a few friends?

 

[davocean]

I don't see it alot but it happens, they are in damsel family as previously stated.
There may come a time as they mature the female clown may give it the boot.
That's what my maroon did eventually, but it was cool while it lasted.

 

[katarina]

At what point is a false perc mature? My female is about 2.5"-3" I have no idea how old she is. I bought my pair from a woman that bought the pair from someone else...

 

[davocean]

I'd say right about that size.
Usually when they begin to spawn is where they start claiming space more aggressively.
Maybe you'll have better luck.

 

[Vang025]

It's no unusual, my two percs school with my neon damsel they even all sleep together in the same hole.