Rethinking the words aggressive and not reef friendly

[looneytunes]

Hello,
Just for giggles.

My dream fish was a dog-faced puffer. I researched for quite a few months and then special ordered a tank to accommodate her. I knew going in she was a "fin nipper" "Semi-Aggressive"and a "predator". Well, for Christmas I bought the cutest and tiniest little puppy puffer (Simi) you can imagine. I followed that up with a Kole Tang (Dori) as well as stocking my tank with snails during this process. I waited another 2 months and bought a Harbor Goby (Ash) and a teeny yellow watchman goby (Squirt). I have a 150(60x24x24). Since then I have added: a queen conch, 2 blood shrimp, and a cleaner shrimp + killer crown conches that started wiping out the snails in my tank.

What I have learned.......... Simi gets her behind kicked by Dori. Is afraid of Ash. Both of them will take the food right out of her mouth. She has tried to get the snails but they are no match so she has given up whereas the crowns had no problem. The shrimp are safe and will also steal food if they are close enough.

Really!!!! This is what people warned me about. She is at the moment all splotchy, tail tucked in, hiding in a hole because Dori tail slapped her about 5 times that I saw. The only one she does not run from is Squirt who took a trip down my return pipes and ended up in my Fuge where he is currently residing.

 

[mnat]

The thing you have to realize is the fish you have now is a juvenile. In a couple of years it might turn into a nasty, aggressive, tail nipping machine. I hope all goes well for you and that does not happen. In this hobby we are dealing with live animals which all have their own personalities and habits. Go on to most fish boards and follow the threads that discuss reef safe dwarf angels. The arguments go on for pages because these are live animals and each one is different.

 

[looneytunes]

I understand that. I just think its funny that she's scared of the goby at this point considering she is bigger than him. Just thought it would make someone chuckle.

 

[TanksNStuff]

To add to what Mike said, I waited to get my dwarf angel (an eiblii) until last because the rule of thumb is to add "more aggressive" fish after your less aggressive fish have established themselves in the tank. Well, it turns out that the eiblii is the most docile fish in the tank. Well, my target mandarin doesn't bother anyone else either... but he is just cautious when other fish are around him and stands his ground. But the eiblii will swim away and hide in the rocks at any movement by another fish.

The point is, there are tendancies for different species, but each fish is an individual and can be very different than others of the same species.

Just like people. Some grow up and do charity work, others grow up and become murderers. Whether it's because of a minor dna difference or whether it's the environment that shapes us all... nature is by default diverse.

 

[mnat]

I understand that. I just think its funny that she's scared of the goby at this point considering she is bigger than him. Just thought it would make someone chuckle.

I got a chuckle out of it, if you watch your tank close enough you will always be able to find a good laugh.

 

[looneytunes]

I know she should have gone in last but sometimes its hard to find them as small and cute as she was. I am glad she was the first, I can only imagine how bad it would be if she was last. I know she may change when she gets older but they tend to be the more docile of the bunch along with the porcupines. I just can't believe how non-aggressive she is at this point. i was reading everything on the puffer forum (i hope its ok i mentioned that) before i got her. We go through a lot of clams and mussels with shell around here to keep her teeth down. The kole is really surprising me as well. I know they don't tend to like family but this is just ridiculous. She will chase the Goby around. I am assuming the kole is female but a "he" would better explain the behavior.
Thank you all for reading and posting,
Christine