Aggressive Dottyback

PeeperKeeper · #1 05/15/2006, 11:05 AM

Having gotten tired of introducing new fish who turn out to be sick and get the rest of my tank sick, I decided to set up a very small (10 gallon) Q tank to put new fish in for a couple of weeks before introducing them to my main display. After cycling the QT, I got a firefish to put in it and he did fine. A week or so later, I bought a tank raised neon dottyback and put him in as well.

In less than 2 days it became obvious that the dottyback was becoming aggressive towards the firefish. So I made a barrier out of egg crate and screen material to divide the 10 gallon tank and keep them separated. Problem solved. Yesterday afternoon, I checked on them and all was fine. This morning I came in and the barrier had shifted so that the dottyback got in the firefish's side and the firefish is looking extremely ragged after only one night.

My question is will this be a problem when I put them in my 75 gallon display? I imagine the dottyback has been frustrated, only having less than 5 gallons worth of territory, so maybe he was just taking out that frustration on the firefish last night. I purposely gave him less than half the tank when I put the barrier in because I figured maybe that would get him used to only having a small territory and he wouldn't feel like he had to stake out a big area in my display as his own.

What do you guys think? Anyone have any experience with neon dottybacks and if so, are they bullies with other fish (besides other dottybacks, I know you can't have more than one dottyback in a tank my size) like damsels are? I really like this guy because he's beautiful and has a lot of expression and personality, but if once I introduce him to my display I won't be able to add new fish, I don't know. I only have two PJ cards in the display now, and I eventually want to have them, the dottyback, a 6 line wrasse, the firefish, a clown or two and a sailfin tang. Oh, and a Mandarin when my pod population fills in. I'd say I could wait and add the dottyback last, but I hate to keep him in such a small area for so long.

cheeks69 · #2 05/15/2006, 11:31 AM

I've never had a Neon but have had a Sunrise Dotty and eventually removed him . They can be very aggressive especially with smaller passive fish. I will never add another one to my tank they're just as bad as Damsels if not worse !

ACBlinky · #3 05/15/2006, 11:39 AM

Neons are supposed to be one of the more laid back dottybacks, but I think it's all relative - none of them are really sweet natured. I have a tank bred neon, he was cute and seemed harmless when I bought him at 1". I knew he'd get meaner with age, but I'm still surprised with just how vicious he can be sometimes (he's now around 2.5"). He's housed with angels, damsels and a hawkfish, all bullies in their own right; I'd hate to see what he'd do if the other fish were more passive. He hides in the rockwork and strikes like a cobra when another fish swims too close, it's phenomenal how fast these guys are. Because his tankmates are agressive, they're generally unphased by his nastiness and usually turn around and chase him right back into his hole with no damage done to either party.
I don't know how a neon and firefish will fare together, I have a feeling the firefish won't last long but I've never kept one so I'm not sure. IME dottybacks are crafty, territorial, and once they decide they don't like something they're relentless and will harass it to death. Proceed with caution, maybe return one or the other.

cheeks69 · #4 05/15/2006, 11:43 AM

Quote:

IME dottybacks are crafty, territorial, and once they decide they don't like something they're relentless and will harass it to death. Proceed with caution, maybe return one or the other.

Ditto ^^^ and I've had firefish before and they don't stand a chance IME !

corwise · #5 05/15/2006, 01:09 PM

I had a purple dottyback who was pretty agressive. He'd go through phases where he'd terrorize a new fish for a month or so, then relax and become friends. He grew to about 2.5 inches, so they definately don't stay small. Mine never actually killed anything, just kept it hiding for a month until he decided it was allowed to come out, so your fish might eventually allowed the firefish to live a normal life. But then again, he might not.

gibbswagon · #6 05/15/2006, 01:58 PM

i agree with blinky! if it wasnt for my flame being in charge, my dottyback would run wild! but he is fine in my tank because he is always on the watch for the flame