Pseudo Chromis Fridmani attacking a pair of Black Occelaris clowns

[alvinhsu]

I have a pair of baby black occelaris clowns around a little less than an inch each in size, a BTA, which they have not started hosting in yet and I have a pseudochromis fridmani in my tank. The Clowns are new additions, and the fridmani is constantly attacking them when they get close to its lair, is this behavior something that will go away with time? My understanding is that the fridmani is the ambassador of the dottyback family, and would integrate well into a community reef tank. Any thoughts?

 

[marrone]

All Dottybacks are aggressive and will protect their territory, especially against new fish. Fridmani aren't as aggressive as some of the other Dottyback but they can be aggressive. In time it will probably stop but it may also kill the clowns.

 

[KathyC]

While it should be as you state, the fact that the clowns are still small is probably your current issue.

Any chance you can rearrange any of the rocks in the area the fridmani lives? It sometimes helps lessen aggression.
Is your tank aquascaped with hiding places for the fridmani?

What size is the tank?

Very pretty fish btw

 

[CancerverO]

I loved and hated mine.. he killed my sunburst anthia.. I took it out of my tank.. too aggressive.. but try what Kathy said.. it can help..good luck

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Or you can put it in a timeout in a qt box in the tank and hope the clowns get bigger and able to defend themselves but it all may start over again once he is released back to reclaim his territory. They are on the lesser aggression scale than other dottybacks but they cn get aggressive when defending their established territory.

 

[alvinhsu]

I run a 28 gal JBJ HQI Nano cube. There is plenty of rock in there, however, I believe that adding more hiding spot may help the situation. How does fish psychology work... Can I put the dottyback in time out... let the clowns establish a territory, and then let the fridmani back in the tank to find a new spot? or would the dotty back try to reclaim its old territory?

Or would they behave like africans, IE if I pack the tank with more fish so that there is not enough territory to fight over, would it mitigate the aggression?

 

[KathyC]

Time out works way better in a reef. Packing the tank leads to way too many other issues.

 

[juiceguy]

all pseudos are evil little PIA's if you can take him out and give the clowns a chance to establish themselves they should be ok. the pseudo will be aggressive again when you put him back in. i find that if the new fish can withstand the initial badgering, they should do fine. i have lost many wrasses due to my bicolor pseudo

 

[Euroreefer]

Getting them out is a pain also, had one, and once I put the net in the tank he knew what time it was, the guy took me 2 hours to get out. Never again. They have great color, but horrible attitudes.