Evil Damsel?

I have an azure damsel (I think, he’s a half blue and half yellow damsel). He’s never been an issue, but started attacking a new fish I added today… as in taking nips out of fins. Nothing serious, but he was being pretty nasty. He also started going at other fish who were already in the tank. I think he’s finally starting to act like a damsel, so I need to do something with him, preferably remove him from that tank. I don’t know what the lfs would do with him if I gave him to them. They don’t have any displays he could be kept in, and I don’t think too many people are looking to buy an aggressive damsel lol. Could he live in my sump or is there too much risk of being sucked into the pump? The water flow is also pretty strong in there. The best I could do for another tank would maybe be 5 gallons at most. Could I keep him in a 5 gallon bucket? Obviously with rock, water flow, cycled, etc. I’d prefer to not give him to the lfs as he would probably wind up being bought as food or to cycle a tank.

 

Instead of a 5 gallon tank could you set up a larger size plastic tote to give em more room till you can re home em ?

 

Or, even if you're having trouble rehoming, why not throw him into a plastic tote (or a $15 10 gallon) for now, and upgrade him to a 20 long during the next $ per gallon sale at Petsmart/Petco? Damsels are aggressive, but are pretty, and I'm sure you could find something to fill that other tank with.

 

Instead of a 5 gallon tank could you set up a larger size plastic tote to give em more room till you can re home em ?

Or, even if you're having trouble rehoming, why not throw him into a plastic tote (or a $15 10 gallon) for now, and upgrade him to a 20 long during the next $ per gallon sale at Petsmart/Petco? Damsels are aggressive, but are pretty, and I'm sure you could find something to fill that other tank with.

I’d love to. I’ve got a couple 10 gallons laying around and I could maybe make it work… it’s not a matter of money as much as it is space. My salt tank is already 100 gallons and I have 4 freshwater tanks taking up most of my other space. I’ll see what I can do. I don’t know how I would go about rehoming him. Unfortunately I only have one lfs that I trust and they don’t seem to stock damsels like him anymore (just the basic blue damsels mostly) and their damsels aren’t always in the best shape… I don’t think they’re too popular as the tanks are usually pretty jam packed and I don’t think I’ve ever actually seen someone buy one. I just don’t know where to take him to rehome him, and I don’t trust that he’ll be going to a good home. Would 10 gallons be sufficient for just him as a permanent home? It’s unlikely that I’ll be able to make that happen, but I’m gonna do my best. Any suggestions on how to go about rehoming him are welcome.

 

Fish Trap (can be made out of a homemade water bottle) or one of these if you prefer something a little larger and more flexible in terms of size. Quit feeding from anywhere but the trap and the fish will get hungry enough to seek out it's own food source. The Damsel might do okay in the 10 gallon by itself. Damsels are well known jerks, hence why few want them. They are good fish for Coral Frag tanks (due to algae removal) but that's about it.

Here is a trap you can order from Amazon. I have used this to successfully trap both a Yellow Tang and a Snowflake Clownfish:

 

Fish Trap (can be made out of a homemade water bottle) or one of these if you prefer something a little larger and more flexible in terms of size. Quit feeding from anywhere but the trap and the fish will get hungry enough to seek out it's own food source. The Damsel might do okay in the 10 gallon by itself. Damsels are well known jerks, hence why few want them. They are good fish for Coral Frag tanks (due to algae removal) but that's about it.

Here is a trap you can order from Amazon. I have used this to successfully trap both a Yellow Tang and a Snowflake Clownfish:

It’s not actually getting him out of the tank that’s a problem, it’s more what to do with him afterwards. Has anyone been able to find a lfs that will take damsels? I’m just concerned because my lfs is almost entirely stock that is for sale, so I’m not sure if they would take a fish from someone’s tank and place it with the livestock they’re selling… especially if I walk in looking to get rid of a fish for being a jerk lol. I’m just not sure where to bring him if I don’t want him to risk being food or used to cycle a newbie tank. I also have some pretty nasty emerald crabs that I would LOVE out of my tank. Would they do well in a 10 gal with the damsel? I just need some advice on where to give this guy to if I can’t find space to setup another tank. The sump is also an option, I would just need to make a baffle around the pump area.

 

I would sump him given the low cost of the fish as well as the emerald crabs, if you have a sump light you will get some unwanted algae growth and they can help mitigate that.

 

I would sump him given the low cost of the fish as well as the emerald crabs, if you have a sump light you will get some unwanted algae growth and they can help mitigate that.

Okay. My sump is pretty open, so he’d be in with all the equipment, skimmer, pumps, etc. really the only pump I could baffle off is the return pump. Would he get sucked into the other stuff or should it be safe?

 

Should be fine. I even had Mollies in my return pump chamber for a while with no issues and they certainly are smaller than Damsels.

 

Should be fine. I even had Mollies in my return pump chamber for a while with no issues and they certainly are smaller than Damsels.

Okay cool thanks. There isn’t any light in my sump. Would that bother him or should it be fine?

 

Should be fine. I even had Mollies in my return pump chamber for a while with no issues and they certainly are smaller than Damsels.

So an update. I’ve been able to make some room for a 10 gallon tank. My sump is about 30 gallons I believe, so I’m gonna go ahead and try the 10 gal and if he seems cramped, I’ll do the sump. I’m just not sure if the sump would be the most comfortable place for him to live long term.

 

Sounds good.