Reconsidering Damsels

[AllSignsPointToFish]

I have four yellowtail damsels. They really only squabble amongst themselves...and occasionally get after my hand when cleaning the tank :) Great, hardy, cheap fish with a lot of color "pop" :)

 

[ReefWithCare]

My Rolland pair regularly lay eggs. Same success rate as with my clowns though.

Azures? I have a pair in my 40B and they just stay on opposite sides. If they cross their territories they fight otherwise they are fine. Do you have to get lucky with their gender or will they change?

 

[ca1ore]

I always add enough of each species to essentially guarantee at least one of each gender.

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

I always add enough of each species to essentially guarantee at least one of each gender.

I've read that they prefer odd numbers. I can say that I've witnessed some odd behavior with four in my tank.

 

[Katrina71]

This guy is with a pair of clowns. He is the sweetest fish in the tank. I know this is not the norm.

 

[malacoda]

I have azures, starki, tuxedos rollands, talbots and fusilier damsels in my tank.

They are all very well behaved, the tuxedos being the most boisterous if them all.

Great fish and highly underrated.

Just curious, what size tank is it?

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

This guy is with a pair of clowns. He is the sweetest fish in the tank. I know this is not the norm.

I love those fish! Not sure I could pull it off in my tank, though :(

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

225ish

 

[Katrina71]

I love those fish! Not sure I could pull it off in my tank, though :(

This guy was in the LFS for about 6 months. It may explain some of his demeanor. Also the huge Watchman is the alpha in the tank.

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

This guy was in the LFS for about 6 months. It may explain some of his demeanor. Also the huge Watchman is the alpha in the tank.

I would love to add more fish to my tank, but I realistically cannot. I need to design my next house around the fish tank, acquire the property, convince my wife that this is a good plan, and execute. This should be a bulletproof plan, right?

"Dam* the torpedoes...full speed ahead!" :)

*the original post was an accurate quote...but the obscenity filter intervened!

 

[Katrina71]

I would love to add more fish to my tank, but I realistically cannot. I need to design my next house around the fish tank, acquire the property, convince my wife that this is a good plan, and execute. This should be a bulletproof plan, right?

"Dam* the torpedoes...full speed ahead!" :)

*the original post was an accurate quote...but the obscenity filter intervened!

It's all in the timing when you ask;)

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

It's all in the timing when you ask;)

Possibly...or, it's just in what I'm willing to trade in response :) Everyone has a price!

 

[mattzang]

i'm also a damsel fan, athough it's a sample size of 1. my springer is awesome and never aggressive towards anything.

that said, seems a lot of people still have bad damsel (even Chrysiptera) experiences, so do you guys add them last? tank just big enough? adding numerous damsels gives them something to hone in on? just bad actors from time to time?

 

[ca1ore]

I've read that they prefer odd numbers. I can say that I've witnessed some odd behavior with four in my tank.

Don’t think it really matters.

I’ve around 65 chrysiptera in my tank and haven’t had even the smallest of issues with any of them. Amongst the meekest fish in my tank.

 

[OrionN]

Will they change genders like clownfish over them?

Yes. Any two will pair up

 

[OrionN]

Don’t think it really matters.

I’ve around 65 chrysiptera in my tank and haven’t had even the smallest of issues with any of them. Amongst the meekest fish in my tank.

I agree. Two, three, four or five it does not mater. They just stay in and out of the rock in my tank.

 

[Orm Embar]

Another vote for Chrysiptera - no problems with my C. springeri, even towards the pink streaked wrasse when it shows in a corner or a small cleaner shrimp. Then again, my common clown is the dominant fish and occasionally chases it briefly to assert dominance.

Bright colors, open water swimmer, active, theoretically eats flatworms (haven't seen the last; flatworms have been going away, but tank in general is doing better and I also have a pink streaked wrasse that occasionally comes out so they may also be contributing). Next time I might try a yellow tailed Chrysiptera for the color.

 

[jefra]

Thanks for all the great advice! Have 2 Starki, 2 Rolland's and 4 Azure coming in next week.

 

[jefra]

I have azures, starki, tuxedos rollands, talbots and fusilier damsels in my tank.

They are all very well behaved, the tuxedos being the most boisterous if them all.

Great fish and highly underrated.

@GoldeneyeRet I'd never heard of fusilier damsels and had to go look them up. Really stunning! Do you have any pictures of yours?

 

[ReefWithCare]

Thanks for all the great advice! Have 2 Starki, 2 Rolland's and 4 Azure coming in next week.

Wow how did you get 2 Starcki. I could get any until the last two months and it’s too late for me because now I’m stocked [emoji24][emoji24][emoji24]