Temperament

Temperament:
Corals and Invertebrates
Most corals and invertebrates possess both defensive and offensive strategies that they use to protect their area within the reef, and to overtake new areas of the reef for future growth. These strategies include chemical warfare, deploying sweeper tentacles, and physical attacks. It is important to understand the capabilities of each individual when determining its suitability and ultimate placement within the aquarium.
Peaceful:
Species within this category do not pose a real threat toward neighboring organisms, except for the possibility of over-growing them. “Peaceful” corals do not possess any stinging cells, and do not release chemicals to ward off their neighbors. However, under the right conditions, they can grow very rapidly and block light from neighboring corals and invertebrates. This situation is often very easy to rectify simply by trimming the coral back and allowing room for its neighbors.
Semi-Aggressive:
Within this category of dominance are species that possess a potent sting or chemical toxin that will affect their neighbor. These species are still considered “Semi-Aggressive” since they will not reach out to great lengths to pose an offensive attack. When placing Semi-Aggressive species in your aquarium, be sure to take into account the fully expanded size of this animal and provide extra room for growth. Continue to monitor the reaction of neighboring species and be prepared to move one or the other if there proves to be incompatibilities.

Aggressive:
Species within this category can cause considerable harm to neighboring organisms, and plenty of space should be provided for their placement. For example, some corals have sweeper tentacles that contain a very potent sting. In some cases, corals can stretch sweeper tentacles several inches in order to attack their neighbors. Other “Aggressive” species may not have long sweeper tentacles, or may not possess them at all, but can inflict similar degree of physical or chemical damage. Caution needs to be exercised, and provide plenty of room when incorporating these organisms into the aquarium.

Fishes
Is a general guideline of the species demeanor in the average aquarium. It is important to understand that each fish can have its own personality, and may act differently when subjected to a different environment, or when housed with different species of fish. Stocking order can also will play a role in animal’s demeanor in the home aquarium. This is a guideline that when cross-referenced with our compatibility chart (insert link), will give you an idea of what behavior to expect with the species in question.

Peaceful:
Species within this category do not pose a real threat toward other fishes, and are very passive and sometimes reclusive in nature.
Semi-Aggressive:
Species within this category are normally active fishes, and may occasionally chase or show aggression towards one another or similar shaped tankmates. When placing Semi-Aggressive species in your aquarium, be sure to introduce them after the smaller, more passive fishes have been established.

Aggressive:
Species within this category are normally territorial and bold fishes that should be housed with fishes that are of the same demeanor. Aggressive fish should be housed in a species only aquarium, and if adding them to displays with semi-aggressive tankmates, they are the last fish introduced into the display aquarium.