What's going on here???

[axolot2]

Bought 3 damsels as experimentals for my new 75g which is up for 6 weeks now with 30#LS. Had them for one week, and now the two large ones have turned powder blue (from a bright blue) and the small one hides in a piece of decoration (but still bright blue). The 2 big ones are running along the bottom and looks like one is trying to dig a hole in the sand. When the small one does come out it looks like he's 'nosing' the sand. They've been eating fine (but not this morning) and the sandsifting star appear A-OK. <img src="graemlins//confused.gif" border="0" alt="[confused]" />

 

[axolot2]

p.s. chemically the water is perfect. A - 0, trite - 0 trate - 0 temp - 77-78 degrees constantly

[hr]
75 gall FO
30# LS
2 aquaclear 300s
1 302 powerhead
1 802 powerhead
3 yellow tail damsels
1 sandsifting star
a whole lot of love

 

[ratbattey]

Sounds like pretty normal behavior to me.
The larger ones are going to be more aggresive so the smaller one is hiding to avoid being bullied. The blue damsels color tends to darken when they are stressed so it is normal to see them lighten as they become accustomed to your tank. Moving sand around and digging little holes is a common behavior possibly related to seeking food, so I wouldn't worry about it at all.
Sounds like you have a pretty good start, just remember to go slow........ the only thing that happens fast in a reef is disaster!

 

[byrself]

i agree with ratbattery. mine did the same thing. i had 3 in a 10 gallon so i really got to see territorial fish at their best. as long as you provide some shelter they will do fine. my roomate has a gramma that got pounded as soon as it got in my tank, but after a while he learned how to find his own spot and now he doesn't let any fish come his way! even three stripe damsels, which in my op are some of the bad boys! they'll do fine once they establish to each other who's boss and who isn't.
fyi = i once had 2 ciclids and 3 gouramis (freshwater) in a 10g! that was a different story though. the ciclids were 2 different varieties also! my gouramis never could keep their fins intact <img src="graemlins//evilwhorn.gif" border="0" alt="[Evil Horn]" />

 

[axolot2]

Thanks guys, makes me feel a little better. All three are swimming normlly now, maybe they all got drunk last night(?) Who knows, but they're good today.
Thanks!
Phill