Damsels are hard to kill. Very colorful. Always active. Can be aggressive but that’s resolved by having a few to spread that aggression as done with African Cichlids. I’ve found having just one or two of any particular type Serbs to work otherwise a large group. If aggression gets bad then just move around the landscape.
Having said that. If clowns can’t survive water quality then neither will damsels. Clowns are very tough fish. I consider them beginner friendly.
Before throwing in the towel. I’d check all parameters. Equipment. Perhaps an ICP test. Have the LFS analyze your water. Discuss it with them. Hopefully you have a competent LFS. Join a fish club.
Keeping saltwater fish isn’t that difficult. If they are hiding or dying it might just be something is wrong and everything in this hobby is fixable. Including starting from scratch if needed.
Having said that. If clowns can’t survive water quality then neither will damsels. Clowns are very tough fish. I consider them beginner friendly.
Before throwing in the towel. I’d check all parameters. Equipment. Perhaps an ICP test. Have the LFS analyze your water. Discuss it with them. Hopefully you have a competent LFS. Join a fish club.
Keeping saltwater fish isn’t that difficult. If they are hiding or dying it might just be something is wrong and everything in this hobby is fixable. Including starting from scratch if needed.