Starki time out work for you?

[Trever]

Anyone ever give a starki damsel a time out and have it work?

I got mine out of my DT last night, was actually pretty easy (not sure I'll have that kind of luck again...).

He's in the sump.

Put him back in a week?

 

[piranhaman00]

If he his causing problems a "time out" is not going to help.

 

[Trever]

@piranhaman00 hope springs eternal...

Hoping LFS will take him back. Else find a local buyer.

 

[Clownfish_Boy]

If all else fails..... All drains lead to the ocean !

 

[Trever]

@Clownfish_Boy yeah, but he's a pretty fish, well put together too. Would want to keep or rehome. Actually thinking about setting up a simple breeder with sponge filters and put a few torches in there...

 

[tautog83]

What's he bullying ? I was thinking about getting one but all my other fish are 4 and 5 inches

 

[Trever]

@tautog83 I think a big factor is my tank size (small), but basically everything. Except my orange firefish, who he seems to be trying to get romantic with (it's bizarre). He also ignores the diamond back goby.

So:
Blue-Green Chromis (eventually I think he'll kill this)
Osc. Clown
Yellow Corris wrasse

 

[tautog83]

Ah ok makes sense

 

[Clownfish_Boy]

@Clownfish_Boy yeah, but he's a pretty fish, well put together too. Would want to keep or rehome. Actually thinking about setting up a simple breeder with sponge filters and put a few torches in there...

Oh yeah, just having a bit of fun there..... Maybe you can either send it back to the LFS or find another aquarist who would like to have it. Sure is a beautiful fish indeed, a shame it's not working out in your tank !

 

[ca1ore]

Was the starki recently added or long established? A time out can work to reset long established dominance but won't likely help if it was recently added because then there is no established dominance to correct.

 

[Trever]

@ca1ore I believe you've likely hit the nail on the head, from what I've been able to research etc. And alas, he was deliberately added last.

I'm wondering if there is something I can do within the tank to help protect the Chromis (love that fish), because the others are ok so far- they get picked on but it's not excessive and the clown just pushes back, eg.

The Chromis and the Starki worked out caves, so I don't see how I can do anything, unless the Starki resents his cave being so close to the Chromis- unlikely- because the Chromis get's harassed under all manner of circumstances. They are similar size and shape and water position and species, so I think that's the rub, especially in the small space. I did fear this.

My LFS will take the starki back for 40%, which isn't worth it versus keeping him in some way, especially since I admire the fish as much as I do ("Sven"- because of his swedish colors, so his full name is "Sven The Dick").