shredded fins from attacking fish.

[peiji]

I think I have a talent for asking stupid questions. All well.
I just got a small yellow watchman goby and right away a dottyback I have started to attack it. I didn't think it was really doing any harm until I noticed the fins of the goby look frayed and ripped. I don't know what to do about the problem now as the LFS won't take it back and I don't have another tank to put it in.

Anyway, my questions are, will the fins grow back if the aggressor left it alone? And, will the agressor eventually leave it alone as it grows, etc. Is it possilbe it was being attacked just because it was new and eventually they'll get used to each other. The LFS never told me there would be any problems with the dottyback.

[m3rma1d]

have you turned the lights off? sometimes darkness for a new fish being introduced is a good idea. also, if yer feeling ambitious, it might help a great deal to mix up the rocks as well. then the fish will be like "wow, dude where am i?" and may not be as territorial....

[socal surfer]

Dottybacks are generally very territorial fish. I think that you shold turn off the lights lik spam princess suggested. Also the dottyback is pobably nipping the goby because it is in is territory, so once the goby gets an idea of the dottybacks territory the goby should be ok.

hth

[mapster]

I agree with socal, once each others teritory is established all should be fine. I had the same problem with a pair of clowns. I was surprised how quickly the fins grew back. I also just added an angel that had a chunk of tail taken out, the fighting has since ceased and hopefully his tail will grow back just as fast. I would think if the fighting last more than a week it may be time to seperate them. Might be a good idea to change your aquascaping, but thats not always an option. HTH