Poor Fish Combo. Helping Not Trolling.

[pamelahaley]

I have a 24 gallon cube with 3 fish who aren't getting along. Used to be 4 but, that one was harassed to death. I hoped the alleviation of that fish on the territory would be enough but, it isn't.

I currently have in the tank:

1 royal gramma
1 Falco hawk
1 Pink smith damsel

All 3 fish ganged up on a sixline who passed in hiding...

Now, the damsel is fine (the least aggressive, but large and probably needs a new home) but, the falco hawk really has it out for the royal gramma which used to be aggressive until the hawk made him it's *****. The damsel only bothers the gramma after lights out for some reason. The gramma has been torn up, been through a few bacterial infections and always recovered but, is reduced to peeking out of a hole and grabbing food when hawk isn't looking.

The hawk is the most attractive fish in the tank (and a birthday present I had requested) but, I'm just not sure what else I could have in peaceful combination.

I'd love to upgrade my tank but, it's not a lightly taken option atm.

I'd like to have 3-4 fish in this tank but, I can't sort out which to part with and what to replace said fish with.

I have a 10 gal tank on the side with 1 blue and 1 stripe damsel... I don't think I could place anyone from the 24 in there even if I removed the damsels. Aside that, they fit the tank's composition really well and get along as well as 2 damsels can.

All that said, I'm willing to take suggestions... (36gal cube/ complete 50 gal bowfront offers :up trade or sell fish.

 

[looters]

From what I read the hawkfish can be aggressive so sounds like he hasnit out for the other gramma and in doubt upgrading the tank would help probably need to move one of the two to a new home.

 

[peachyreef]

Yeah all of those fish can have temperment issues... And putting aggressive fish in a small environment will just make it worse. Personally I would keep the gramma and replace the others with more docile fish like firefish, and some gobys. No upgrade needed.

I know hawkfish are cool but some of them can be crazy.... I have heard the same for six line wrasses too. And I know damsels are the devil....

JMO

 

[jennm]

peachyreef;644095 wrote: Yeah all of those fish can have temperment issues... And putting aggressive fish in a small environment will just make it worse. Personally I would keep the gramma and replace the others with more docile fish like firefish, and some gobys. No upgrade needed.

I know hawkfish are cool but some of them can be crazy.... I have heard the same for six line wrasses too. And I know damsels are the devil....

JMO

I totally agree. :yes:

Jenn

 

[pamelahaley]

Yeah. I had a flame hawk a long time ago which was totally fine in a 40 gal with 4 other fish. He was later moved to a 12 gal with a domino damsel for "quarantine" due to cauliflower disease... even in a 12 gal there was no fighting.

This gramma has had aggressive times but, I think the abuse has set those aside. I'm thinking about trying out a clown again but, IME they can be aggressive. I've had maroons and a sabae... known for aggression. I'd be interested in trying a tomato but, have heard they are also aggressive. Perhaps an onyx... of course I'd need a nem but, not sure about space with all my corals. I got tired of clowns making a mess but, this pink damsel is no better.

Firefish are cool. I really love wrasses and gobies. If I keep the gramma which is technically a mid column fish, a bottom column type goby and rock hugging type wrasse would probably work out... of course as long as I've had this gramma, he's been a wall/rock hugger and was also the hardest of the 3 on the sixline. I half expected trouble with the last sixline just based on its size.

It's just so confusing on fish picking since my fish have almost never followed the temperaments described in research. Had a yellow clown who lived in a nem and never touched sps. Had a tribal blenny wipe out 4 pieces of coral. Had a blue hippo school with clowns and try to live in their nem as well.

 

[pamelahaley]

So... I sold the falco hawk and damsel. Replaced them with a goby and cardinal. The cardinal just dropped dead but, I didn't see it harassed. The RG was out of his hole as soon as the tank was free of his tormentors... but now, he is the tormentor of the goby :doh:

 

[redstang]

Pamelahaley;653323 wrote: So... I sold the falco hawk and damsel. Replaced them with a goby and cardinal. The cardinal just dropped dead but, I didn't see it harassed. The RG was out of his hole as soon as the tank was free of his tormentors... but now, he is the tormentor of the goby :doh:

This is like a fish soap opera. Good luck!

 

[mapleredta]

I, too, have had nothing but bad luck with cardinals. I bought a pair but one went missing three days after adding them to my 90 and the other was caught in my vortech one evening when I got home. Gobies have an amazing personality as do clown fish. I can't believe there is a tank in this club that doesn't not have some sort of clown in it!

One night turn the lights off and move your rock work around. I've once read that by doing so, the fish will once again have to re-establish territory. Perhaps that will cut down on the bullying.

 

[pamelahaley]

Things seem to have calmed down on their own. The cardinal and goby I purchased after the goners are still doing good. Thinking of adding another pj cardinal or small coral beauty. Definitely going to pick up some peppermint shrimp tomorrow. I started to consider sexy shrimp but, may wait that one out.

Useful:
http://sexyshrimp.com/mates.html">http://sexyshrimp.com/mates.html</a>

Might pick up a coco worm
Definitely candy coral from Deitz

(Uh oh, I think the addiction took back over)

 

[cr500_af]

Pamela, I have a PJ cardinal (in my tank for two years now) that you can have for a beer frag... as long as you can be flexible for me to catch him. He's no problem, but with larger fish in the tank he just hides under the frag racks most of the day like he's intimidated (not that I blame him). He'd do better in a tank where he isn't so overwhelmed.

 

[pamelahaley]

Size is an issue, he'll be going in a 24 gallon. I'm not positive on years to growth.

Edit: What is this beer frag? I don't have much anyone wants. A few leathers, a nice healthy frog spawn... GSP?

 

[texhorns98]

Pamelahaley;660973 wrote: Size is an issue, he'll be going in a 24 gallon. I'm not positive on years to growth.

Edit: What is this beer frag? I don't have much anyone wants. A few leathers, a nice healthy frog spawn... GSP?

A "beer frag" basically means he's going to give it to you. BUT, he's asking for a beer when he delivers the fish. OR, if you're too far away, you bring a beer or twelve when you you come to pick up said fish.

 

[pamelahaley]

Ok... so is that a combination of a piece of coral AND a beer or, just beer? I hope he likes PBR.

Also, on the cardinal hiding most of the day, I read that they are nocturnal. Mine does a combination of cave dwelling and swimming out in the water column. He's not afraid to eat at regular feeding but, eats more/better when I feed just after or before lights out.