Damselfish jumped out! Put a net over the tank?

Hello

I set up at 5 gallon tank a little over a month ago, and currently I have:
1 Yellowtail Damselfish
1 Pseudochromis
1 Cleaner Shrimp
1 Astrea Snail
1 red-and-white swirly snail (looks like Strawberry Sundae, would love it if anyone can ID it!)
4 tiny Mushroom corals
1 Green Star Polyps
and a few Majanos that came with the Green Star


My damsel was the first fish in the tank, the pseudochromis was added about 2 weeks later. The pseudo is pretty aggressive, quite often attacks my poor damsel.

Occasionally there'd be tiny splashes on the surface when they fight, but earlier today they were fighting and my damsel suddenly jumped out of the tank and onto the floor!

Luckily my brother was there when it happened, and quickly put my fish back into the water.

Anyway, I've cut a piece of plastic netting to fit onto the tank opening, but it's making my dark rather dark.



Is the light still bright enough for my stars and mushrooms? :\ I'm using 18W Power Compacts.

Or is there a better solution to the problem?


Thanks!



P.S. click If anyone's wondering why the stars are in a container...

 

Hi Logic pending
the netting idea does work - others use plastic mesh called Egg crate for same purpose

A better solution IMO may be to get rid of one the fishes
they are both naturally aggresive species and they are going to fight very often in a 5 gallon tank

Steve

 

Good fix till you can go buy a cover for half to nothing or you could DIY it...thats my favorite....

 

steve wright,

Hmm, if I manage to get the egg crate thing, would it be better than the netting I'm using currently? In terms of light brightness (since mine is green and the other is white?). 'Cause my concern is that it won't be bright enough for my corals. :\

It would be pretty sad to have to get rid of one of the fishes! Let's say if I put more live rock in my tank, would it cease the fighting? So that I could, erm, give my fish more places to hide?


pks4life420,

What kind of cover do you mean? :O

 

Yes Logic pending

Egg crate is wider also it will keep fish in but wont reduce light as much as the finer grade netting

http://www.3reef.com/forums/general-reef-topics/lining-aquarium-bottom-70468.html

check this thread as Reef Sparky kindly put up some good pictures of Egg crate

Steve

 

Most people look to get rid of damsels after getting them. How lucky you are that the fish wants out - saves time & aggravation of having to catch it. Go figure!

 

Lucky! I wish mine would have just jumped out on it's own!! LOL

 

steve,
Thanks! Will go look for one of those soon

glampka & whippy,
Noo I don't want to get rid of my damsel, he's the sweetest! :S

 

welcome Logic pending

but please bear in mind, without an escape route, you will need to keep a carefull eye on aggresion for future - You love your fish and thats a credit to you I fully understand that

just be aware sometimes they just cant get along

good luck anyway, hope it works out for you

Steve