Starcki damsel - digging like crazy

[brett559]

So I really like my Starcki damsel. Really pretty. Eats great. Doesn't bother anyone. But this fish is a digger. Like big time. He has his spot on the right side of the tank and he is just digging tunnels. I've sort of filled his tunnels in from time to time, as I try to re-arrange corals in that part of the tank, etc. He just digs some more.

Not sure I can get rid of him (and not sure I want to). I'm sort of just moving corals away from his digging area, but I'm not crazy about the sandstorms, clouding up my water. Any chance he'll stop? I mean, once he has his little cave network, will he maybe dig less? A goby will always stir up sand looking for food, but this damsel seems like he's digging places to sleep and hide. Once he has those, will he keep digging?

What do you all think?

 

[ThRoewer]

Just let him do his thing. Another option, get him a few girls to keep him busy.

 

[brett559]

Rearranged some things on his side. He's got the place to himself now....


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[Dromon]

I would just watch and enjoy it as part of the reef keeping experience. My Azure went through a big construction phase several months ago and it was the most enjoyable thing to witness. He basically made a fort out of a cave by piling little rocks and shells with his mouth. Then he fanned his tail to whip sand around to fine tune his home. He sleeps nice and safe at night

 

[brett559]

It was getting worse - sandstorms all the time. So I drained the tank last night as part of a large water change. He gone. Swimming happily at the LFS, waiting for his next victim.

I won't try another...

 

[ThRoewer]

My guys are not really doing that kind of thing. The male I have with 3 females must have his sleeping cave somewhere in the rocks towards the back of the tank.

The single male I have in the 40 gallon tank may have cleared out the space below an overhanging rock, but that cave is mostly used by the Marine Bettas.

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[ThRoewer]

My Starcki male has developed a strong dislike of gobies and jawfish.
Interestingly he shares that with my Gramma male.

 

[saf1]

Just let him do his thing. Another option, get him a few girls to keep him busy.

Lol. Starcki girls gone wild!

 

[Naraku]

How did you distinguish female from male?

Especially when ordering online.


I think I have a female..

 

[ThRoewer]

How did you distinguish female from male?

Especially when ordering online.


I think I have a female..

Size and behavior. If you want females order small ones. Males are generally larger. Dominant females will become males. So if you want a pair just order a group of small ones and let them work it out on their own.

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