[krsult]

My Blue Damsel is getting very territorial the last few days. He/She is also taking its tail and pushing the sand around. It is to the point that it has moved enough sand I can see the glass at the bottom of the tank. Anytime anything come near that part of the tank he picks at it even my hermits. Why is he doing this?

[lynnvangsnes]

Damsels are one of the most ornery fish you can put in an aquarium. You will find that most people do not put any in their tanks because of their territoriality habits. A friend of mine has a damsel in a tank with 3 lionfish. The lionfish do not bother the damsel. I suggest you take it to your LFS for credit, and get a nice clown or goby or blenny or firefish etc.

[aquasalt]

For as bad of a rep as damsels seem to have, I have been quite surprised with mine. I bought them just to cycle my 90 gallon better. All except one survived and they're doing well. I also have a maroon clown who is also fairing well with his/her 5 damsel tank-mates. Did I just get lucky or is it because the tank is large enough for everybody to spread out?

Also if anybody could give me some guidance on feeding them. I just started buying frozen brine cubes, and am thinking one a day is too much. I also give flake food. I try not to overfeed, but with the brine, it is difficult to control because it quickly sinks and goes everywhere.

Any thoughts?

[pogodzib]

As already mentions, damsels are a very aggressive fish. If you want to keep other aggressive fish or damsels, you'll be just fine. If you want to keep more peaceful fish, you may be better getting rid of the damsel, although once in a while a damsel will fit in just fine with peaceful fish.

There are several kinds of fish that like to dig holes in the sand and make the spot their own and some damsels can be that way. My kids always like how they can go and look under the stand (with my supervision of course) and watch the damsel stare back at them though the glass on the bottom of the tank.

[NATIVEVAMAN]

Damsel aggression seems to peak with adulthood.And most clowns are more territorial than damsels so I see them fitting together.My sweety has a thing for damsels,but we keep them in a tank all by themselves.And I made her sign a contract that she will not try to put them in her new 65.If she does I am going to put a grouper in with them lol.

[e_baer]

lol, i FINALLY got my dansel out of my 55 after a year and a half! lol. now i am going to goive it to RI University where my friend goes. im also giving my purple pseudo to them.