Digging damsel?

[fishtaco]

Hey folks, I am still fairly new to salt water and have only posted a few times, but I am wondering if it is normal for a yellow-tailed damsel to be digging in the gravel? It does not seem to be looking for food, but is taking crushed coral from one spot and moving it to another. Just kind of annoying behavior for an otherwise excellent little fish.
Fishtaco

 

[salt210]

I have a blue velvet that uses his tail fin to dig holes. as soon as I fill them in the little bugger is right there doing it again. I think he does stuff to make me angry since he knows I cant get him out.

 

[saltyjewell]

Originally Posted by salt210
http:///forum/post/3105660
I have a blue velvet that uses his tail fin to dig holes. as soon as I fill them in the little bugger is right there doing it again. I think he does stuff to make me angry since he knows I cant get him out.
My stripe damels does the samething. Digs with his tail right down to the glass

He homes behind a rock behind the hole.
Anyone know why he or she does this /

 

[salt210]

to be annoying

 

[lil.guppy]

I noticed this when I got my engineer goby. It would dig with its tail right infront of the goby. Then it started doing it in another spot. Eventually it just stopped and hasent done it since

 

[hlcroghan]

It's a breeding thing. They are making a host spot.....

 

[saltyjewell]

Originally Posted by hlcroghan
http:///forum/post/3105777
It's a breeding thing. They are making a host spot.....

well hes out of luck. hes the only damsel in there

 

[cedarreef]

yeah my yellowtail does the same thing... every time i put the sand back so that it looks nice, he messes it all up again. GRRR!!!

 

[fishtaco]

Thanks for the response everyone, I wish I would have had info that damsels are diggers before I bought it. On the bright side, it has to get old and die at some point.
Fishtaco

 

[cedarreef]

I wouldn't hold your breath. I've had my one yellowtail for going on 3 years now, and is still very healthy. Damsels are virtually impossible to kill!

 

[tank a holic]

never seen my yellow tail do it but my tomato clown does all the time, my anthias does too