Damsel Tank or Clown Tank?

[Reef Breeder 2013]

Ok, after hearing no to Maroons in 15 gallons, I am left with 2 options for that tank, Damsels and Clowns. As far as I know, they will end up having the same behavior because they are from the same family. Either way, if I make it a Clown tank I'll put in some Damsels, and if I make it a Damsel tank I'll put in some Clowns. Something to clarify is that the Clown species will be Ocellaris and the Damsel species will be Yellowtail and Chromis. Another thing I should mention is that I am building the tank for a Condy.

 

[Reef Breeder 2013]

Oh, another thing is that the tank will not be exactly 15 gallons, it will be 16-18.

 

[Polymate3D]

I had a clownfish and a Azure Damsel in the same tank no problems. Funny enough it was the tail spot blenny that had all the issues but fortunately he calmed down.

- Paul

 

[Reef Breeder 2013]

I had a clownfish and a Azure Damsel in the same tank no problems. Funny enough it was the tail spot blenny that had all the issues but fortunately he calmed down.

- Paul

Yes, I have a yellowtail in a 20 gallon and it only took a few days for her to take over her territory and be aggressive. But what I mean is, having a school of Damselfish or something like that would honestly be beautiful, maybe even more so than a tank of just Clownfish.

 

[Polymate3D]

Yes, I have a yellowtail in a 20 gallon and it only took a few days for her to take over her territory and be aggressive. But what I mean is, having a school of Damselfish or something like that would honestly be beautiful, maybe even more so than a tank of just Clownfish.

I hear you. I think the problem is you need enough of a group to combat the aggression. I saw in a 10G tank at a LFS some Springeri damsels and some looked torn apart. Was about 8 in there so they were trying to make a territory for themselves.

Same LFS then had a 20G with about 20 Emperor Damsels and they all looked great! I think the quantity of them over the tank size increase was the difference.

Clownfish grow bigger so naturally I think short of a pair there isn't much more you could do on that front.

I think personally it's an idea that could work but it is a risk. They could all fight day 1, and they could fight as 1 or 2 die over time.


Of any, the Springeri or emperor damsels sound like the best attempt as they stay relatively small (5cm) but I would wait on people to post with more experience than me- Paul

 

[Reef Breeder 2013]

I hear you. I think the problem is you need enough of a group to combat the aggression. I saw in a 10G tank at a LFS some Springeri damsels and some looked torn apart. Was about 8 in there so they were trying to make a territory for themselves.

Same LFS then had a 20G with about 20 Emperor Damsels and they all looked great! I think the quantity of them over the tank size increase was the difference.

Clownfish grow bigger so naturally I think short of a pair there isn't much more you could do on that front.

I think personally it's an idea that could work but it is a risk. They could all fight day 1, and they could fight as 1 or 2 die over time.


Of any, the Springeri or emperor damsels sound like the best attempt as they stay relatively small (5cm) but I would wait on people to post with more experience than me- Paul

Well, what my LFS generally has available is:

Chromis
Yellowtail
Domino
Blue devil
Three bands (or I don't know if they are four bands)

What I'm thinking about is getting several yellowtails and I guess the African cyclical thing will happen, the more there are the less aggression there will be.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

If you want clowns or damsels, then I would go with either 2 clowns, or 2 damsels. I would not mix them or add any more fish. Damsels are mean fish and they don't like small tanks, they will claim the territory to themselves if less than 20 gallons.

 

[eliaslikesfish]

damsels are the devil and will bully your clowns, especially in such a small tank. go one or the other

 

[ScRmptisSnkhds723]

Well, what my LFS generally has available is:

Chromis
Yellowtail
Domino
Blue devil
Three bands (or I don't know if they are four bands)

What I'm thinking about is getting several yellowtails and I guess the African cyclical thing will happen, the more there are the less aggression there will be.

Either damsels or clowns as damsels are very aggressive (I have had no issues between keeping them together, down to many factors such as adding the damsel last and getting a more peaceful species) However if the tank is that small you shouldn't risk it and just pick between the two.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Personally I would do 2 clowns over 2 damsels due to aggression

 

[mandime10c]

Ok, after hearing no to Maroons in 15 gallons, I am left with 2 options for that tank, Damsels and Clowns. As far as I know, they will end up having the same behavior because they are from the same family. Either way, if I make it a Clown tank I'll put in some Damsels, and if I make it a Damsel tank I'll put in some Clowns. Something to clarify is that the Clown species will be Ocellaris and the Damsel species will be Yellowtail and Chromis. Another thing I should mention is that I am building the tank for a Condy.

I'm in the same situation , have a pair of gold nugget maroons and I'm down grading from a 40 to a 16gal . Was thinking of doing what you were planning to do since in my 40 they stay on the left side of the Tank , same spot not very active . But gonna have to rehome then and find something else to inhabit the 16g Tank .

 

[mandime10c]

Ok, after hearing no to Maroons in 15 gallons, I am left with 2 options for that tank, Damsels and Clowns. As far as I know, they will end up having the same behavior because they are from the same family. Either way, if I make it a Clown tank I'll put in some Damsels, and if I make it a Damsel tank I'll put in some Clowns. Something to clarify is that the Clown species will be Ocellaris and the Damsel species will be Yellowtail and Chromis. Another thing I should mention is that I am building the tank for a Condy.

I might have a solution for you. If you go to proaquatix and go to hot seat you might find a "stubby" maroon clownfish and then you just have to find a lfs that can order it for you . If you are curious as to what a stubby maroon is . Go to top shelf aquatics YouTube channel there's a video they posted 3 months ago of one of their employees Nano tanks I think it was a 10 gal . He was a stubby maroon clownfish. I actually called top shelf to inquire about their stubby maroon and they referred me to proaqutix . Right now they have a snowcap stubby maroon b35 on their website . Hope this helps

 

[mandime10c]

I might have a solution for you. If you go to proaquatix and go to hot seat you might find a "stubby" maroon clownfish and then you just have to find a lfs that can order it for you . If you are curious as to what a stubby maroon is . Go to top shelf aquatics YouTube channel there's a video they posted 3 months ago of one of their employees Nano tanks I think it was a 10 gal . He was a stubby maroon clownfish. I actually called top shelf to inquire about their stubby maroon and they referred me to proaqutix . Right now they have a snowcap stubby maroon b35 on their website . Hope this helps

This is if you are planning on having one . Idk about a pair of stubby maroons .

 

[TX_REEF]

I think you could do a clown pair and a single damsel, such as a blue yellow belly damsel, or springeri damsel. Just for the love of god, no humbug/3-stripe damsels in a tank that small with other fish.

 

[Reef Breeder 2013]

I think you could do a clown pair and a single damsel, such as a blue yellow belly damsel, or springeri damsel. Just for the love of god, no humbug/3-stripe damsels in a tank that small with other fish.

I was thinking of a pair of Ocellaris and a pair of Yellowtail Damselfish.

 

[Reef Breeder 2013]

I was thinking of a pair of Ocellaris and a pair of Yellowtail Damselfish.

Or maybe a pair of Ocellaris, a Yellowtail and a Chromis.

 

[TX_REEF]

I was thinking of a pair of Ocellaris and a pair of Yellowtail Damselfish.

not a good idea IMO. Damsels should be kept solo or in groups of 3+ to spread aggression. Unless you get lucky, a pair of damsels will fight in a small tank. Most damsels don't change sexes to pair like clowns do.

 

[TX_REEF]

Or maybe a pair of Ocellaris, a Yellowtail and a Chromis.

Chromis generally grow a bit larger than damsels and I believe require more swimming space - I'd skip it. Have you considered a larger tank? haha. I hate being a downer, but you have to stock very thoughtfully in small tanks, otherwise its cruel to fish at best, and deadly to them at worst.

 

[FUNGI]

Ok, after hearing no to Maroons in 15 gallons, I am left with 2 options for that tank, Damsels and Clowns. As far as I know, they will end up having the same behavior because they are from the same family. Either way, if I make it a Clown tank I'll put in some Damsels, and if I make it a Damsel tank I'll put in some Clowns. Something to clarify is that the Clown species will be Ocellaris and the Damsel species will be Yellowtail and Chromis. Another thing I should mention is that I am building the tank for a Condy.

Just for what its worth, they are the same family....clowns are damsels

 

[Reef Breeder 2013]

not a good idea IMO. Damsels should be kept solo or in groups of 3+ to spread aggression. Unless you get lucky, a pair of damsels will fight in a small tank. Most damsels don't change sexes to pair like clowns do.

Well, at least in a friend's experience, when he buys 2 Yellowtail Damsels they pair up, EVERY time he has done it.