Gold Striped Maroon aggression

[Mud Shrimp Moe]

Last night I introduced a Foxface to my tank. I had it in quarantine for a little over three weeks. It was doing very well in QT, but because it's a small tank (10 gal) I didn't want to leave it in too long.

I introduced it last night with the lights out, in order to help it relax overnight.

All day today the sole Gold Striped Maroon and it are doing some aggressive posturing and (almost) "dancing" with one another. The Foxface absolutely insists on coming close to the GSM over and over ... to the point that I really think the fish is forcing the issue. Kind of like when somebody goes to prison .... they say to pick a fight with the meanest inmate on the first day just to prove you're not a pushover.

The GSM is nipping at the Foxface ..... but very cautiously. I suspose instinct tells the GSM that the Foxface is venomous. The Foxface is showing it's quills occasionally, but then other times gives the GSM a full side posture, which allows the GSM to nip.

Do you think the GSM will leave the Foxface alone pretty soon?




Just for background: I had another Foxface that lived with this GSM for about nine months and died. I suspect the death was because I was feeding too many meaty foods (which the Foxface ate enthusiastically), but have since found out that w/o sufficient vegetable content they can get sick. I am hoping that aggression wasn't a big issue, but it's possible.

It's a well established 75 gal with the Foxface, GSM and a single blue damsel. The damsel and GSM get along fine and so far the blue damsel is giving the Foxface wide bearth.

 

[Mud Shrimp Moe]

I was actually kind of hoping for some sort of reply.

Is there any interest in GSM clownfish here?

 

[SVXH6]

it should be fine.. like any new addition its just trying to show whos boss.. it just entered her territory and she wants it to be known..

 

[Mud Shrimp Moe]

Thanks.

So far so good I guess. My only concern is that the Foxface gets enough to eat. The GSM and damsel are very aggressive eaters. They don't fight, but they do rush and grab up all the food. I think that may be a reason I lost the last Foxface after nine months or so. I'll just try to target feed more and will feed pellets or mysis shrimp first to try to satisfy the GSM and damsel before I put out seaweed.

 

[Loralie]

I would feed Nori often as the foxfaces love it. Also if you have access to any macro such as caulerpa the fox also loves that. This will give it food that the GSM won't eat.

 

[Mud Shrimp Moe]

Actually, my GSM seems to love the Nori too. I do place it on the opposite side of the tank from her anemone though, which makes her tend to dash over, grab a piece, and dash back.