Adding more damsels to reduce aggression

[Reefing102]

So first, I’m going to preface this as research only question and that overstocking a tank is not reccomended and can lead to poor health of your fish.

With that said, I noticed with freshwater cichlids, if you overstock them in a tank (provided sufficient filtration), agression is decreased as they are not able to set up territories. Does anyone know if the same holds true for damsels? Like say you put 20 in a 40 gallon tank with adequate filtration (I know too small for full grown but just for example purposes), due to the shear quantity would aggression be reduced because they couldn’t set up territories?

Kind of like the fish in “Tanked” aquariums or even Public Aquariums (always seem overstocked)

 

[PatW]

As damsels grow they get far more aggressive. Remember, reefs cannot be stocked as heavily as fresh water or that is my experience. You might get by with damsels of greatly different appearances. Or you could be right (say 6 or 8 fish). Get inexpensive damsels and try it. If they murder each other, you are not out much. But I would not try it.

 

[vtecintegra]

Goes against being a responsible fish keeper. You should be setting up a habitat suitable for the fish in my opinion.

 

[Reefing102]

I agree it goes against being responsible. I was just curious if it’s been found aggression is less when a territory can’t be set up. Seems like it would likely be the opposite. A dominant one will just harass the others til they die and it gets its own Territory

 

[alexanderthefishlover]

So first, I’m going to preface this as research only question and that overstocking a tank is not reccomended and can lead to poor health of your fish.

With that said, I noticed with freshwater cichlids, if you overstock them in a tank (provided sufficient filtration), agression is decreased as they are not able to set up territories. Does anyone know if the same holds true for damsels? Like say you put 20 in a 40 gallon tank with adequate filtration (I know too small for full grown but just for example purposes), due to the shear quantity would aggression be reduced because they couldn’t set up territories?

Kind of like the fish in “Tanked” aquariums or even Public Aquariums (always seem overstocked)

So I have African cichlids and South American/Central American cichlids and have kept cichlids from both continents for over 12 years. I also have a reef with damsels and 2 clown fish and in my experience yes, over stocking African cichlids reduces some aggressions toward one fish and reduces stress. However, for damsels no…. I’ve found the more you add the worse their behaviour.

My issue is my nitrates drop in my reef to 0 and I’m having an issue figuring out what fish I can add to a tank established with damsels already…. Frustratingly beautiful fish LOL