I will say I’ve been able to “break” many fish rules over the years, taking special interest in learning and observing fish behavior - particularly aggressive/territorial fish. I’ve taken some questionable gambles (I have a plan B - IE several tanks at a time)— I did a neon dottyback 7 years ago assuming it couldn’t be nearly as bad as it’s reputation. In a separate tank, I ignored the advice about how sixlines are also the spawn of Satan.
Well my neon was fine for 6 months before deciding my giant female pink skunk clown, Lubbock fairy wrasse, mccorskers flasher, damsel, and even a yellow tang were not allowed near his rock in the middle of the tank. He visibly damaged the skunk clown that I had for 6 years at that point. She ended up getting an infection and perishing. This was the biggest pink skunk I’ve seen and anyone that knows about these clowns —let me just say I called her “mob boss” — she attacked everything. She didn’t tolerate nets, magnets, hands, anything in her tank. She HURT when she attacked. They’re NASTY. The male stood clear and survived. I took the whole tank apart to remove him. I was so angry that he tore up my other fish’s fins in 48 hours that badly that I returned him to the LFS. She was my favorite fish!
My six line became more and more aggressive to his tank mates, too but was too small and I saw the writing on the wall and gave to a friend with a FOWLR. I didn’t let that one grenade out of control!
