Temperament - Salt Water Fish

Saltwater Tank

Last week, I went over the various temperaments of freshwater fish. However, freshwater fish aren’t the only ones with temperaments. The same rules apply to saltwater fish (or marine, as they are otherwise known), and it’s no more or less wise to place a peaceful marine fish in the same tank as an aggressive marine fish than it is with freshwater fish. Here are several examples of saltwater fish and their temperaments:

PEACEFUL TEMPERAMENT

Gobies

Gobies are relatively small fish, usually reaching three inches in captivity. Goby fish species adjust well to aquarium life. A well-sealed lid is a requirement for keeping gobies, as they will jump out of an open aquarium. Plenty of rockwork and the proper substrate of coral sand should be provided to enable burrowing or sand sifting Gobies the proper environment.

Some species of Goby:

Black Barred Convict Goby

This inquisitive-looking fish is known as the Black Barred Convict Goby, also known as the Black Barred Circus Goby, or Full Moon Reef Goby. It has a white body with black to brown vertical stripes. A 10 gallon or larger aquarium with plenty of hiding places is suitable for this cryptic fish. It's a great addition to the reef aquarium and will spend most of its time resting and swimming within the rock work. It is non-aggressive towards other fish and will not bother invertebrates in the tank.

Catalina Goby

The Catalina Goby is considered one of the most beautiful gobies. It has a bright red body with a vivid blue mask and vertical stripes on the front half of its body, and the tail has a yellow tint. This species is very peaceful and will not harm other fish, corals, or invertebrates. The Catalina Goby can be housed in Nano aquariums at least 10 gallons in size. The Catalina Goby may demonstrate aggression towards others of its own species if crowded, but groups may be housed together in large aquariums. The Catalina Goby is not typically shy and can often be seen perching on it's chosen rock within its territory.

Bluespotted Goby (Phase 1) 

The Bluespotted Watchman Goby, commonly referred to as the Blackfinned Shrimp Goby, was first discovered in 1849. There are two color phases. The first has an orange head with blue spots, the body is orange with red bands, and the dorsal fin has black spots. 

Bluespotted Goby (Phase 2)  

The second phase is olive drab with blue spots. Pretty fascinating, if I do say so myself.

SEMI-AGGRESSIVE TEMPERAMENT

Damselfish

Next, one of the more aggressive fish: the Damselfish. The average size of most Damselfish is two inches. They are often used to break in or cycle new aquariums. The majority of these fish is highly territorial, and may become aggressive toward other tankmates. They do well in groups of the same species. Damselfish are closely related to Clownfish, which are also a member of the Pomacentridae family. These fish are found throughout the world, and are almost always associated with coral reefs. They are often used to break in or cycle a new aquarium. It's important to remember that even though these fish are hardy and can handle the adverse conditions of a new aquarium, they may become quite aggressive among themselves, and toward other tankmates.

Some species of Damselfish:

Blue Damselfish

The Blue Damselfish is probably the best selling marine fish in the United States. Beginning hobbyists relish its hardiness and small size, while advanced aquarists praise the color and activity this member of the Pomacentridae family brings to the aquarium. Female Blue Damselfish are completely blue. Males, on the other hand, have an orange tail and are commonly called the Orangetail Blue Damselfish or Blue Devil Damselfish. Native to reefs across the Indo-Pacific, they are usually busy defending a small territory and interestingly, they have the ability to hide in a hole or crevice and darken to an almost black color. This usually happens when it is threatened. After the perceived threat is gone, the Blue Damselfish will return to its electric blue color in a matter of moments.

Three Spot Domino Damselfish

The 3-Spot Domino Damselfish, also known as the Three Spot Damselfish, Threespot Dascyllus or Domino Damselfish, is so named due to the three white spots on its black body. It matures into an aggressive adult whose bright spots fade with age and will enter into a relationship with Stichodactyla species (Carpet Anemone) if one is available.

Four Stripe Damselfish

The Four Stripe Damselfish, also known as Blacktail Dascyllus, Blacktail Damselfish, or Blacktail Humbug, and also is a popular fish. I recall seeing this one at huge aquariums like you find at the Rain-forest Cafe. They have three alternating black and white vertical bands that make up the body coloration with a fourth black band ending at the tail.

AGGRESSIVE TEMPERAMENT

Triggerfish

And finally, the Triggerfish. Triggerfish are very hardy specimens that adapt well to aquarium life if provided with a large tank and ample hiding places. Triggerfish reach an average size of six to ten inches in the home aquarium and often become very aggressive toward the same species and other tank mates. Smaller Triggers grow quickly, and are usually more docile in adulthood than if matured in the wild.

Some species of Triggerfish:

Humu Picasso Triggerfish

The Humu Picasso Triggerfish, also known as the Humuhumu Triggerfish or Picasso Triggerfish, has a wacky, painted appearance. It has a tan body with gradient dark bands, and vibrant blue and black stripes on the top of the head, with a yellow stripe from cheek to cheek and deeply set-back eyes. It looks quite exotic, no? 

Clown Triggerfish

The Clown Triggerfish has a dramatic coloration, making this species a most sought after addition to the home aquarium. The Clown Triggerfish is found along the inner and outer portions of a reef in the wild, wherever shellfish and other invertebrates are found. Among the most colorful, the Clown Triggerfish is also one of the most aggressive commonly kept inhabitants of an aquarium. Care should be taken in selecting its tank mates, choosing other aggressive, large fish. The tank decor should also be chosen based on the propensity of the Clown Triggerfish to rearrange it.

Undulate Triggerfish

My final example of the marine species today is the Undulate Triggerfish, also known as the Orangelined Triggerfish or Orangetailed Triggerfish. It has an attractive, emerald-green body with yellow-orange vertical stripes. A 180 gallon or larger aquarium with large pieces of rock to form caves is ideal for this swimmer. This constructive fish will rearrange the aquarium landscaping and rocks. A very fascinating feature of this aquatic friend is that it vocalizes using a "grunting" sound.  It is a hardy fish, but aggressive towards other fish.

Stay tuned for more next week!

Author's Note: Blurbs from LiveAquaria.com