Help

[joshua1800]

Need some advice on fish aggression and compatibility.


I’ve got a 112-litre marine tank and I’m having some problems with aggression, mainly from my Strawberry Pygmy Basslet.


My current livestock:

• 2 × Clownfish
• 2 × Humbug Damsels
• 1 × Blue Damsel
• 1 × Strawberry Pygmy Basslet
• 1 × False Gramma
• 2 × Snails

All the fish are still quite small/young.


The problem:


My Strawberry Pygmy Basslet has started attacking the other fish, particularly the Humbug Damsels and Blue Damsel.


It seems very territorial around its cave and will attack fish that swim too close to it. It occasionally goes for the False Gramma as well, but rarely bothers the Clownfish.


All the fish are eating normally, but I’m concerned the aggression could get worse as they grow.


I’m considering putting the Strawberry Basslet in an isolation box for a day or two to see whether the other fish settle down, or possibly rehoming some of the damsels.


I’d really appreciate some advice:

1. Is this normal territorial behaviour for a Strawberry Pygmy Basslet?
2. Is my tank overcrowded for these fish?
3. Would removing the Humbugs and Blue Damsel help?
4. Would you keep the Strawberry Basslet or rehome it?
5. Is an isolation box a good idea to try?

I want a peaceful community tank and don’t want any of my fish getting injured.


Any advice or personal experience would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

In a 30g tank, you have 5 fish that can show signs of aggression. Those are the damsels and the clowns.

Personally, I would either ditch the blue damsel and one of the humbugs, or get rid of the pair of humbugs.

The basslet is probably defending its home from the aggressive fish listed above.

I think once you remove a couple of these fish, you will be fine!

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Damsels are very territorial and aggressive fish, once they establish a territory they will defend it to the death. 7 fish in your size tank is very over stocked IMO, and 5 of those fish being damsels (clowns are damsels) and a dottyback to boot, it means that no other fish can be safely added to your tank IMO. As your fish grow, they will get even more aggressive, and they are more so aggressive in small tanks, and your tank is too small for these type of fish. Keep in mind that aggression and stress makes it very easy for disease to set in. I would re-think about your fish list,

 

[Boehmtown]

To many fish, not enough houses. He's defending his cave, cause there people constantly near his cave

 

[joshua1800]

Damsels are very territorial and aggressive fish, once they establish a territory they will defend it to the death. 7 fish in your size tank is very over stocked IMO, and 5 of those fish being damsels (clowns are damsels) and a dottyback to boot, it means that no other fish can be safely added to your tank IMO. As your fish grow, they will get even more aggressive, and they are more so aggressive in small tanks, and your tank is too small for these type of fish. Keep in mind that aggression and stress makes it very easy for disease to set in. I would re-think about your fish list,

Should I rehome the other fish and keep the clownfish as I want to keep them and what other fish could I keep that I have

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Should I rehome the other fish and keep the clownfish as I want to keep them and what other fish could I keep that I have

That is what I would do, I would keep the clowns and send the others back to the store.

FYI, gobies, blennies, cardinals, and basslets are much more friendly and appropriate for the tank size, and so many choices to choose from. Good on you for recognizing the problem. Good luck