Poor little guy.....

[misty927]

I have four damsels cycling my 55 gallon. Well the larger three have been picking on the smallest one. As a result, he has half a tail. They've bitten the fin down and he just has a little nub where his body begins. What should I do, I don't want him to die on me. I' ve been thinking about separating him and putting him into a 29 gallon by himself. I don't want this to stress him out even more though. What do you think??

 

[goldfish]

With all due respect to your damsels, they often are referred to as "disposable fish." They are put on this earth to cycle our tanks, then many people want to get them out once they are ready for "real" fish.
Damsels in general are pretty hardy and can hold their own. I have a snowflake damsel that has been with me for 18 months since my first cycle and he's a tough one! Sounds like yours will come around--will just take some time.
If you feel better about moving him to another tank you could. You only need 2 or so to cycle yours properly.

 

[cchung718]

Yeah... I had damsels who went through some horrific stuff but still survived. Some didn't make it though. Even though they're cheap and not as pretty as other fishes, I think they're pretty cool. If you can catch him, you can probably put him in another tank. GOod luck.

 

[b_ball12_99]

The longer they are together the friendlier they will become towards each other.

 

[nm reef]

Good luck catchin him....I've got 2(domino and a blue) that run for cover when I even think NET.......

 

[dseiler]

Originally posted by NM reef:
<STRONG>Good luck catchin him....I've got 2(domino and a blue) that run for cover when I even think NET.......</STRONG>

Mine are the same way, kinda makes ya wonder how they got caught in the first place

 

[kappadoku]

I originally started with 2 yellow-tails, but took one back the 3 days later, because it was about beat to death. It had very little tail fin, and no dorsal fin. It had bruises on its side, and hid by laying on top of a powerhead. Poor little bugger. I went into buy a xenia and saw her today, shes back with the other damsels, and doing well. She was the same size, but gave ground in the beginning, and the other must have taken it as a sign of weakness.
Only the strong survive.

 

[dlight692000]

actually a lot of the damsels are bred in captivity not caught in the ocean like other fish. i think it would be fine to move him to a 29, it wouldnt stress him. you want stress....here is stress i got a damsel in my 125 with a harlequin tusk, clown trigger, niger trigger and a golden puffer and he is doing fine. and i dont believe that they will get more comfortable around eachother as time goes , the will just fight him till he dies.

 

[evad1029]

dont wast a 29 gall. on a damsel take him back to the store and get something cooler for in the 29 gall tank