Chromis vs. Chromis

[bekritsky]

I have a very odd problem with my fish. I have a 20-gallon tank with 5 fish(2 chromis, 1 percula, 1 marroon clown, and 1 coral beauty). My problem is that my smaller chromis is attacking the bigger one. The big one's left side is all ripped up and he's hanging on the bottom of the tank, he's barely hanging on, but he might pull through. The odd thing is that the small chromis doesn't attack any of the other fish and the big one puts up very little defense. Any ideas as to what's wrong with them? They were fine when I first got them. damon585@yahoo.com

 

[coralbeauty]

Welcome to the board!
Are you talking about green or blue chomis? How strange, they are so gentle. If you have regular damsels instead, I am not surprized, they compete the most with each other for food, etc. That is a lot of fish for 20 gallons, it could be stressed.
Good luck,
Connie

 

[guppie]

That is a little strange for chromis blue or green. I am with Coralbeauty sounds like you might have too many fish in your tank, and the little one is just stressed out. If the big chromis dies and the other one starts picking on the other fish it might be time to get rid of him before he becomes a big problem, as if he is not already. Remember he is a damsel, and by nature they are just nasty. Oh ya welcome to the board. Good Luck

 

[b_ball12_99]

It is strange. You will probably end up losing the big chromis now. You can wait as suggest or isolate the problem, turn off lights, rearrange roch work, and reintroduce the small back into the tank.