Need help finding beginner fish

[HIpposReef]

I have a 55-gallon tank, and I am getting more setup day by day. so Far I have one clownfish pair and 3 blue devil damsels. I want to get more fish to fill up space but also looking for more coral thats the easiest for starters like me. This is my first saltwater tank.

What all I have:
BTA
2 clownfish
3 damsels
pin cushion sea urchin
started corals like GSP and Favia

I plan on getting a lawnmower blenny, turbo snails and scarlet skunk cleaner shrimp, for cleaners. if you have any suggestions on pretty but easy fish to keep for me please let me know.

 

[BigDangler]

I have a 55-gallon tank, and I am getting more setup day by day. so Far I have one clownfish pair and 3 blue devil damsels. I want to get more fish to fill up space but also looking for more coral thats the easiest for starters like me. This is my first saltwater tank.

What all I have:
BTA
2 clownfish
3 damsels
pin cushion sea urchin
started corals like GSP and Favia

I plan on getting a lawnmower blenny, turbo snails and scarlet skunk cleaner shrimp, for cleaners. if you have any suggestions on pretty but easy fish to keep for me please let me know.

soooooooooooo... the tank is how old?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I’m sorry but I think you made a big mistake to add those 3 damsels. They are called devils for a reason, you and any new fish you add will find out why. The are evil fish. However they are very active fish, I think you have a full tank and I wouldn’t add anything else but your fish will be active and fun to watch if they get along.

 

[HIpposReef]

soooooooooooo... the tank is how old?

can't think of the exact number but over 6 months for sure

 

[HIpposReef]

I’m sorry but I think you made a big mistake to add those 3 damsels. They are called devils for a reason, you and any new fish you add will find out why. The are evil fish. However they are very active fish, I think you have a full tank and I wouldn’t add anything else but your fish will be active and fun to watch if they get along.

Yeah, I just need cleaners and coral once set up, we should be good. its pretty empty right now otherwise. Since the BTA is the size of a penny i got on sale.

 

[clownfishfanatic]

Yeah, I just need cleaners and coral once set up, we should be good. it’s pretty empty right now otherwise. Since the BTA is the size of a penny i got on sale.

Off topic, where do you get coral? Just wondering for myself for the future

 

[higher99]

I would drop the damsels and replace them instead with a govy & shrimp pair and maybe a dwarf angelfish, like the flame angel. I hear damsels get agressive as they grow and get territorial.

 

[Bucrob]

Yeah, I just need cleaners and coral once set up, we should be good. its pretty empty right now otherwise. Since the BTA is the size of a penny i got on sale.

You can definitely fit more fish in a 55g just however not likely with the damsels. Clownfish themselves are damsels but are probably the nicest damsel species you will find. Any other kind of damsel besides maybe a few like the azure damsel and sprigner damsel ( I believe that’s how you spell it) are just plain out evil and will kill mostly anything you put in there, even though they are tiny they will still bully larger fish like tangs. Dottybacks are almost the exact same and will kill them too, so likely stay away from them. Green chromis are another “damsel” option that don’t normally target other fish other than their own kind which sucks as they are known to school but dwindle each other down. For any other fish for your tank something like a dwarf angel could work just taking a chance with your corals you could also get a smaller tang and eventually rehome it if you’re interested in that. Personally, I would get rid of the damsels and get something a bit more peaceful. If your tank has been running for 6 months you likely would have enough pods to potentially try something like a red scooter blenny. I personally have one and it’s one of my favorite fish. It also took to eating prepared food shockingly fast for me but always do more research from reliable sources. Asking hobbyists normally will get you many different answers that all work but unfortunately you can’t listen to them all.

 

[Delightful Reefer]

I started a tank with damsels, and quickly learned they had to go.

I tried lawnmowers early on especially during the ugly phase and struggled to keep them. Now that my tank is over 2yrs plenty of grazing it seems.

If you’re not keeping LPS a coral beauty or golden angel is a nice add for that size since they wont outgrow it.

Got a 1.5” bristle tooth in my 60gal a year ago which has worked out well, still fairly small but clock is ticking for sure. A kole or convict that size could be rad too.

 

[NCsalt]

I bet some fang blennies could hold their own against the damsels. Very active and peaceful ime unless attacked. They have a venomous bite. Striped, harptail, canary, smiths etc. i have kept striped and harptail together without issue.

 

[MC Blowfish]

Like others have said. I would remove the damsels.

You have plenty of options. Blennies and gobies are great little fish.