Damsel color and behavior change??

[gwalkerss]

Hello, I hope that some one will be able to let me know what is going on... I have 2 blue fin damsel's. when we go them they were the same size, One is much larger that the other now. I have had them for over a year and a half. The larger of the two is becoming a darker color (than the other one) and is starting to act funny.. By funny I mean it seams like it is guarding a 6x6 inch section of the tank. It swims about 4-6 inches and the backs up the same distance. The area of the tank that this is taking place is not very accessible so see the sand. I am wondering "she" may have laid some eggs or something??? I have never ran into this before or have had a pregnant fish, so i don' even know the signs!! Can any one lend some advise??? (i have only been in Saltwater fish tanks for almost 2 years, i know im still a rookie!! (nutty))

Thanks for you help!!

Geoff

[Benny503]

My brow yellow damsel is the same way, she chasing other damsels around because she get bigger then other. She is the bully, your damsel maybe want to have it own territory.

[JManrow]

As I'm sure you realize, damsels tend to be a very territorial fish by nature. They become even more so when spawning. Here are a couple of links on spawning behavior that may be helpful.

 

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/damselreprofaqs.htm

 

http://www.breedersregistry.org/

 

http://www.breedersregistry.org/database/POMCAE01.htm

 

http://www.marinebreeder.org/

 

I would also recommend the book

"The Complete Illustrated Breeder's Guide to Marine Aquarium Fishes" by Matthew L. Wittenrich

http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Illustrated-Breeders-Marine-Aquarium/dp/1890087718

[defigart]

I had Green Chromis spawn for me last year. No babies or anything just the activity and territorial behavior. Its been a while since I studied Pomacentridae, (yes I really did), but if I remember correctly the subfamily that the Chromis sps are in, the males are larger than the females. This is different then the subfamily that the "Clowns" are in, where the females are larger than the males.