Neon Dottyback bullying Watchman Goby

WhiskeyCoffee · Jan 25, 2017

My 29g tank has been set up for about 9 months and I have successfully been keeping two Clownfish, 1 Flame Hawkfish, and one Neon Dottyback. Everyone has been getting along just fine. Yesterday I added a Watchman Goby and noticed the Neon Dottyback has been extremely aggressive towards him. I know Dottybacks are known to be aggressive but this is the first behavior I've seen like this. Is it because the goby is smaller or what? Is there hope or will I have to part ways with one?

saltyphish · Jan 26, 2017

Similar shaped fish. Dottyback should have been added before goby since its more aggressive. I would remove the dottyback and hold him another tank for a few days if your able and reintroduce it later after the goby has made himself home.

eatbreakfast · Jan 26, 2017

Yeah, the dottyback should have been added after the watchman.

Rearranging the rockwork, removing the dottyback for a few days, and adding a pistol shrimp for the watchman will all help.

WhiskeyCoffee · Jan 26, 2017

saltyphish said:
Similar shaped fish. Dottyback should have been added before goby since its more aggressive. I would remove the dottyback and hold him another tank for a few days if your able and reintroduce it later after the goby has made himself home.

The dottyback was in the tank before the goby. Anyways this all happened while I was at work and I haven't seen the goby since. My wife sent me a video while I was at work and the goby was doing barrel rolls so I'm pretty sure he's dead. I feel terrible. What a waste of money too. :( I'm so ticked at the dottyback.

4FordFamily · Jan 26, 2017

eatbreakfast said:
Yeah, the dottyback should have been added after the watchman.

Rearranging the rockwork, removing the dottyback for a few days, and adding a pistol shrimp for the watchman will all help.

X2, neon are a NASTY fish. Beautiful but mine even bullied a large female pink skunk clownfish, and a Kole tang..

Salty1962 · Jan 26, 2017

Dottybacks are pretty aggressive. I had one that would hide in the LR and shoot out and take a nip at my fish. Finally caught him and got rid of him:( They are beautiful fish.