Clown fish and YellowTailed Damsels

Hey

I introduced a yellow tail damsel to my tank about 2 weeks ago and he was skittish for awhile but since then has been very lively and active. 3 Days ago I added two clown fish(false percs) who immediately paired up to my relief but a few hours after being introduced the damsel came over to them and began to almost stab them with his backtail(not sure if it is sharp or not?) He stopped doing that after a few hours and the clowns stay in a small area of the tank now while the damsel controls most of the rocky area. However during feeding time and sometimes it seems just of out boredom the damsel will swim at full speed toward the clowns with his fins up in an aggressive pose but then stop short an inch or two before attacking then swim away. The clowns don't seem to get too startled but I feel like the damsel is threatening them from leaving their corner.

Is this behavior from the damsel just normal pecking order challenges and will stop or should I remove the damsel? I don't want to have to get rid of him if this behavior is only going to last for 2 weeks or less but at the same time I don't want to stress out my clowns. Any advice would be helpful.


My tank info:
46 gal bow front
45lbs of live rock
no refuge
chemistry is perfect(0 ammonia,0 nitrite, 0 - .5 nitrate,ph 8.0 -8.2)

 

its fine clowns are territorial fish and once they pick a spot in the tank they will usually stay in that area and dont worry the clowns are tough and would kick the damsels a** in a fight i wouldnt worry about it. it will just take some getting used to with the new fish things will settle down eventually

 

Yep. Just establishing their places. You will go through little bouts of this just about any time, with any fish when new ones are added. The best way to think of it, is that all the fish in your tank are like a pack of dogs. There is a pecking order that will be established and enforced.
And, when the clowns have had enough, they will put the yellow tail in his place