Do damsels really deserve all the bad rap?

[Lavey29]

Kupang Damsels don’t bother any of their tank mates. I have 7 in my new 300g and as you can see from this video they have formed territories and do like to bicker with each other but are otherwise model citizens. I have smaller gobies and blennies and they ignore them.

300g tank video with Kupang Damsels

Awesome tank but did you put a ceramic ornament Christmas tree with paint on it in your tank? Are you not worried about contaminants? But do love the large system.

 

[lbacha]

Awesome tank but did you put a ceramic ornament Christmas tree with paint on it in your tank? Are you not worried about contaminants? But do love the large system.

It’s actually a resin aquarium decoration. It may leach some minor stuff but it’s a big tank so I’m not too concerned.

 

[Lavey29]

It’s actually a resin aquarium decoration. It may leach some minor stuff but it’s a big tank so I’m not too concerned.

Isn't most of those things for fresh not salt? Just get a Christmas favia.

 

[lbacha]

Isn't most of those things for fresh not salt?

There are lots of resin and pvc saltwater decorations (fake coral and rock typically)

 

[Lavey29]

There are lots of resin and pvc saltwater decorations (fake coral and rock typically)

Oh ok, nice. Just didn't know it was good to mix in with live corals.

 

[Baby Damsel 219]

I feel damselfish should be put in all at the same time. Man onced setteeld in They will kill any new damselfish. I bough one on friday and my damselfish beak the S4!t out of him. I had to pull him out andd it was easy becuse he cant swimm anymore. Now he is in my qt and will go to my pico 6g reef with the green slimer

 

[Lavey29]

I feel damselfish should be put in all at the same time. Man onced setteeld in They will kill any new damselfish. I bough one on friday and my damselfish beak the S4!t out of him. I had to pull him out andd it was easy becuse he cant swimm anymore. Now he is in my qt and will go to my pico 6g reef with the green slimer

Do you use an acclimation box or add the fish with the lights out?

 

[UMALUM]

I love these little bast@rds! They try and give the chromis h3ll from time to time but nothing ever happens. They kinda remind me of a mix of chihuahua and that little goast from mario bros that would only give chase when you weren't looking. This one bites my arm and I flick him in the head.

 

[Mr_Knightley]

Have a trio of domino damsels in my frogfish tank, Breakfast Lunch and Dinner. They were bought as food but were so utterly unappetizing to the frogs that they've become pets. They are total jerks, but I love watching their complicated social dynamics!

 

[dedragon]

even my springeri are little pricks. I have also gotten attacked by other damselfish while scuba diving because they are so territorial and have no fear.

 

[Lavey29]

even my springeri are little pricks. I have also gotten attacked by other damselfish while scuba diving because they are so territorial and have no fear.

They just have a strong survival instinct.

 

[Baby Damsel 219]

Do you use an acclimation box or add the fish with the lights out?

I do it when lights are out and it died on friday

 

[kingranch2003]

Isn't most of those things for fresh not salt? Just get a Christmas favia.

Oh boy....

 

[Peter Houde]

I have damsels in all my tanks that have coral. It’s cool to watch lemon damsels and blue chromis living in their birdsnest and montipora colonies. I also have a clownfish in each of my coral tanks too. I say “coral tanks” because I have three frag tanks and only one reef display. Damsels just work for me, and I actually like them, especially my two Sergeant Major damsels.

How do you keep those plating corals in check? How do you clean the sand bed and glass?

 

[Peter Houde]

Have a trio of domino damsels in my frogfish tank, Breakfast Lunch and Dinner. They were bought as food but were so utterly unappetizing to the frogs that they've become pets. They are total jerks, but I love watching their complicated social dynamics!

THREE dominos? Jeez. Those little buggers are even too mean for frogfish.

 

[$hing$hong]

I have a pair of springeri and they are the most passive fish I've ever had, even the purple firefish (added later) will push the springeri around.
Mine were captive-bred and did not eat any FW. They are still small at around 1"

 

[Baby Damsel 219]

my lfs sells red honey damselfish for acropora eating worms i dont think this is hoow it works

 

[Lavey29]

my lfs sells red honey damselfish for acropora eating worms i dont think this is hoow it works

Some damsels will eat flatworms pests. My 6 line has kept my tank completely pest free of flatworms.

 

[Idech]

So I have to wonder why damsels always seem to get all the hate? I know some seem pretty fierce but for me certain subspecies seem perfectly fine 8n a community tank.

I only had one and thought it wasn’t aggressive at all. I chose it because it was supposed to be one of the least aggressive sub-specie (Allen’s damselfish).

I had to rehome it (can’t remember why) and as soon as I did, all my fish started acting different, as if they had been freed. They were swimming all over the place instead of hiding. So even if you see no aggression doesn’t mean your fish feel good with a damselfish around.

 

[Lavey29]

I only had one and thought it wasn’t aggressive at all. I chose it because it was supposed to be one of the least aggressive sub-specie (Allen’s damselfish).

I had to rehome it (can’t remember why) and as soon as I did, all my fish started acting different, as if they had been freed. They were swimming all over the place instead of hiding. So even if you see no aggression doesn’t mean your fish feel good with a damselfish around.

My tank is like a neighborhood block party.