Fish with the behaviour of a damsel, without the aggression?

[podBoy]

So I had a talbot's damsel in my 40 Breeder (yeah, I know, but I wasn't planning on adding anything else, and it's not set up as a display, so I wasn't too worried if I had to catch it).

 

I recently added a tailspot blenny and a hi-fin goby/pistol shrimp pair. The talbot was being pretty aggressive to the goby in particular (These little guys will defend their burrow, they're no pushovers, and I never realized how large that little mouth can open.)

 

I ended up evicting the damsel, as I didn't want to worry about it killing my new fish.

 

Now that he's gone though, I really miss the activity that the little guy added to the tank. Constantly buzzing about, weaving through the rock, darting at the glass (mostly being all aggressive and trying to attack his reflection).

 

The other thing I realized after I removed the damsel, is that the other fish were using him as a reef safety gauge. When he wasn't harassing them, you could tell that they felt the coast was clear, as long as the damsel was darting about. After he was removed, they became much more frightened and reclusive whenever I'm moving about next to the tank.

 

Any ideas on a fish that is active like a damsel, but doesn't come with the aggression issues? I can't think of any off hand.

[jedimasterben]

Chromis, springeri damsels.

[podBoy]

Here's what concerns me with any damsel, even the springeri -

 

http://wetwebmediaforum.com/showthread.php?1893-Possible-Predator-for-Flatworms-Springer-s-Damsel&s=9a449b9fcecbcccacc28826a4f0a9643

 

 

I recently upgraded to a 110g starphire and decided to go ahead and put the Springers in last week. Currently there is a McCoskers wrasse, 3 Threadfin Cardinals and now the Springers. I was SHOCKED to find that he schools along with the Cardinals rarely leaving the herd LOL!! I suppose Its a total possibility that I just plain got lucky, however I also have another 2 members in my FRAG club here in AZ that have this species as well with the same results.

 

4 months later...

 

Goes to show ya.... some things in this hobby never change!! After about 4 months in the 110 its not going well LOL!! While the springer's is fantastic with my larger fish... my famous Picasso "Chops" with her black clown hunny and my large radiant wrasse... he has major issues with smaller fish. Not as aggressive as a true blue damsel but defiantly territorial towards my smaller McCoskers and my new tailspot especially. He was beating up on the tailspot pretty bad. It took about an hour but I managed to catch him in the 110g and tomorrow he will be on his way to a new home. My review: This fish would be well suited for a nano with clowns and would be GREAT for a frag tank to help keeps pests in check but not in a mixed tank with more delicate fish. Alas he is NOT the exception. Bummer!

 

 

Seem hit or miss even with these little guys.

 

Doesn't seem there are many small super-active fish that aren't aggressive, or potentially aggressive. Six-lines are another of my favorites personality and behavior-wise other than the possibility of them turning into bullies.

[Mike Savage]

Two Occelaris clownfish worked for me. The other fish are out all the time now and feel safer.

[podBoy]

Two Occelaris clownfish worked for me. The other fish are out all the time now and feel safer.

 

I'm kind of wanting something other than clowns, just because they seem to end up hanging out in one area. (I don't have much experience with them, so maybe I'm wrong)

 

Looks like fang blennies might be an option. They seem to be peaceful, but active. Thoughts?

[podBoy]

Smith's blennies are the smaller of the fang blennies it would seem. Anyone know if the smith and tailspot would get along? Not really conpecific, but they do still have a blenny shape.

 

Possible drawbacks I've found are: Jumpers, and need to be fed frequently.

[Mike Savage]

There shouldn't be any problems between the two. I have kept a Midas Blenny (which swims in the water column like a fang blenny) with a Tailspot Blenny and they completely ignored each other.

[joy13]

You might consider a yellow coris wrasse. I have on in my 40 with a pistol shrimp and watchman, harptail blenny and a couple of little clown gobies.