Feeling defeated by fish incompatibility

[tanki]

I’m feeling a bit, defeated with my fish choices for my tank. I got a Splendid Dottyback and it bullied my Watchman Goby. I took the Goby out so he could recover for a few weeks in private. I took the Dottyback back to the LFS and asked if there was a more peaceful fish I could add. They suggested the Six Line Wrasse. Got him and the first few days were great. Until… he started bullying my scissor tail goby. Ironically he leaves the watchman alone but the scissor tail always goes for the watchman’s cave.

This isn’t the first time I’ve had to remove a fish for bullying. I just recently move the rocks around to disrupt territories and the Wrasse seems like he got even more territorial.

Idk what to do at this point. Full stock list, timeline, and params here:

 

[tanki]

I’m feeling a bit, defeated with my fish choices for my tank. I got a Splendid Dottyback and it bullied my Watchman Goby. I took the Goby out so he could recover for a few weeks in private. I took the Dottyback back to the LFS and asked if there was a more peaceful fish I could add. They suggested the Six Line Wrasse. Got him and the first few days were great. Until… he started bullying my scissor tail goby. Ironically he leaves the watchman alone but the scissor tail always goes for the watchman’s cave.

This isn’t the first time I’ve had to remove a fish for bullying. I just recently move the rocks around to disrupt territories and the Wrasse seems like he got even more territorial.

Pictured in the blurry pic is the scissor tail and watchman hunkering down until the watchman ran away.

 

[Jasonak]

Both the dottyback and 6 line are just bullies. Sorry you just picked back to back jerks :(

A royal gramma is similar in shape to a dotty and not as aggressive.

 

[tanki]

Pictured in the blurry pic is the scissor tail and watchman hunkering down until the watchman ran away.

 

[PharmrJohn]

I'm of the opinion that Dottybacks are incompatible with ANY other fish. OK, fine, its an overstatement, but if I ever got one of those, it would be the last fish I introduced to the system. Don't be too hard on yourself, Dottybacks just have attitude x100.

 

[tanki]

Both the dottyback and 6 line are just bullies. Sorry you just picked back to back jerks :(

Well, that’s a major bummer. That’s kind of frustrating because I made sure to ask one of the more senior people at the fish store.

Any recommendations for pretty mid tank fish?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

As others mention IMO those are not good fish choices for a small tank. And no fish has anywhere to hide in that open rockscape, no doubt every fish is going for the one cave, maybe adding more hiding spots would help

 

[CHSUB]

That’s kind of frustrating because I made sure to ask one of the more senior people at the fish store.

Disregard info from that fish store, both Sixlines and Dottys are known bullies…not even a question.

 

[tanki]

Both the dottyback and 6 line are just bullies. Sorry you just picked back to back jerks :(

A royal gramma is similar in shape to a dotty and not as aggressive.

Yeah actually I had a royal gramma but he succumbed to a temp crash :/ maybe it’s time to try again

 

[winzig]

As others mention IMO those are not good fish choices for a small tank. And no fish has anywhere to hide in that open rockscape, no doubt every fish is going for the one cave, maybe adding more hiding spots would help

10000% agree bad fish for a small tank

 

[sgdnycct]

Sadly both those fish are bullies. Royal grammas are a good option but there are plenty more. Maybe post a new thread asking for recommendations.

I will say in general, having plenty of hiding places helps. You don’t have a lot of rock. Maybe add some in a way that creates caves and swim ways within the rock. When I had a tank closer to your size I bought rubble and glued pieces together in a way that optimized the space I had.

If you see a fish you like post on R2R for recommendations. LFS are not usually the best place for advice.

 

[CKW]

Ok, you’ve found out that adding livestock to a tank is more involved than you may have expected. Compatibility con depend on several factors. First your research must be thorough. Second your tank landscape must provide the environment your critters need to hide, rest and feel safe, Third the timing of when and how to add your livestock can mean the difference between war or peace. Forth, correct lighting when adding to your tank is important. Bright lights can be detrimental at this time so dim them down. Finally have patience and stock your tank over a longer period of time than you might be tempted to.
Be prepared to adjust.

 

[tanki]

Ok, you’ve found out that adding livestock to a tank is more involved than you may have expected. Compatibility con depend on several factors. First your research must be thorough. Second your tank landscape must provide the environment your critters need to hide, rest and feel safe, Third the timing of when and how to add your livestock can mean the difference between war or peace. Forth, correct lighting when adding to your tank is important. Bright lights can be detrimental at this time so dim them down. Finally have patience and stock your tank over a longer period of time than you might be tempted to.
Be prepared to adjust.

Oh yeah the lighting was just turned to white to show the tank and its current state. The blue is hard to photograph with.

 

[BryanM]

Well, that’s a major bummer. That’s kind of frustrating because I made sure to ask one of the more senior people at the fish store.

Any recommendations for pretty mid tank fish?

So for me the lesson here is you/we must do our own research if/until you TRUST teh lfs.

My expeiences are bad in so much as they will usually tell you what you want to hear.

FWIW I have a perfectly peaceful 6 line, but I got him when he was TINY. They aren't all bullies.

 

[tanki]

So for me the lesson here is you/we must do our own research if/until you TRUST teh lfs.

My expeiences are bad in so much as they will usually tell you what you want to hear.

FWIW I have a perfectly peaceful 6 line, but I got him when he was TINY. They aren't all bullies.

Right but what size tank are you in? I’m in a ~40G and I think that’s the problems not enough space for others to just occupy different spaces.

 

[BryanM]

Right but what size tank are you in? I’m in a ~40G and I think that’s the problems not enough space for others to just occupy different spaces.

Well, my tank is definitely bigger.... But that aside, a 6 line in your tank is perfectly fine.

They have a reputation for a reason, and I think I'm just lucky that I got a peaceful one.

I would say if yours is a jerk, rehome, and if you did want another one (the are great utilitarian fish), get a super small one so it cannot be a bully when it gets placed in the tank.