Damsels... can't we just get along?

Imzadi · 05/16/2009, 08:04 PM

I have a newly upgraded 55g going (red house)... I currently have 2 of the Blue Damsels, with the yellow tails. I didn't buy them to cycle the tank, I bought them (3 actually) cuz I thought they were very cute little fish, with lots of energy.

My question is... I know they are known to be agggresive... is there anything that I can keep with them?

I really want :
FlameHawk
Goby/pistol
Psycho Goby (or mandarin, but Psycho is smaller)
lawnmowers
scooters

What od that list is compatible... and what suggestions are there for others? I don't want to get rid of the wee Damsels... if I can help it.

oh, and one of them Wrasse that eats the bristleworms... my wife hates them. (after I get a cover of some sort)

91yota · 05/16/2009, 09:26 PM

likely chrisiptera parasema... some of the more laid back of the damsel species IME and should do fine with many commonly available fish... i would skip gobies, dragonettes, anthias, and fairy wrasses as tank mates in a 55g though... mine currently lives quite happily in a 75 with a large occelaris clown, yellow tang, flame hawk, 6-line wrasse, and a rabbitfish

mario4254 · 05/16/2009, 09:30 PM

i got my 3 damsels more than 3 years ago to cycle the tank ( i was clue less at that time ) anyway all 3 are still alive and i have a 120 gl tank and got yellow tang ,blue tang , lawnmower bleny,2 tomatoes clowns and 2 false precs, all fish thave their little piece of the reef and thare is no fighting whatsoever 2 damsles laid eggs and would get territorial if some one got near their nest so do the tomatoe clowns but that is to be expected .........

Imzadi · 05/17/2009, 06:26 AM

This is good news. Your's laid eggs! Wow.

chrysiptera parasema is exactly what they are. They aren't THAT aggressive, but they did kill a Green Chromis, and they did kill the third wheel of the Dansel Trio.

A flamehawk! That makes me happy. Thats the one fish my wife DOES want. I don't think I have the room for a Tang. I have Mucho Gusto! amounts of liverock. Like 70-80 lbs or more. (that I used to have in a 33g, yikes!) 6-line is a good idea, I have to get rid of the Bristleworms, and they eat them, I think. I doubt I will go with any clowns, for now... I don't have any place for them to habitate... and I don't want a 'Nemo' fish... just because its a Nemo fish! lol

I really want a Psychodelic Goby though... you think he will get picked on? And a watchman/Pistol combo?

And any blennies should be okay, I would think.

mustang51js · 05/17/2009, 08:51 AM

i think the damsels are less aggressive if there added after the other fish,maybe move some rock around when you add the new fish.

ser_renely · 05/17/2009, 09:51 AM

I think they are less aggressive when there are lots of other fish around... but I will never own another one, unless I had a large tank 120

mcoomer · 05/17/2009, 10:24 AM

I have two dominos and a yellow tail damsel and if someone else swims into "their area" and lingers they'll get agitated but other than that they are OK with the other occupants of the tank. I like keeping damsels in there because they're cheap, they come in so many different shapes, colors, and sizes, and they're very active and give a lot of movement to the tank. I've got a couple tangs and a big Emperor in the 125 with them and they've all worked things out. If they become too much of a problem for you just put a big lion in there...no more damsels.

Imzadi · 05/17/2009, 12:38 PM

Well... they are the ONLY fish in the tank right now... and they have been there a while. Mind you, this is a new tank. Been up a week. But the 'scape is the same rock... I guess I will just have to play it by ear. Add a fish, THEN if they get obnoxious... decide who stays...

davocean · 05/17/2009, 02:41 PM

Many claim the yellowtails are less aggro than some of the others.
That flamehawk could be a little mean.
Hopefully they work out for you, cause it won't be fun/easy to fish them out!LOL

Imzadi · 05/17/2009, 04:12 PM

I know... that is what I worry about the most. And my Liverock is WICKED full of little nooks and crannies.

ser_renely · 05/17/2009, 04:36 PM

I had to take all my rock out!!! literally all of it

Imzadi · 05/17/2009, 04:59 PM

Oh.. no no no... lol

That would be CRAZY!

Yea, I have to think about this a little more.

Teremei · 05/18/2009, 05:34 AM

In a 55 with blue (devil) damsels. They are likely to pester any small fish or even slightly larger timid fish. Especially since they were there first. There's not alot of room for territory in a 55.

Imzadi · 05/18/2009, 08:38 AM

Yea, this is what I am afraid of also. The only chance is that the tank has a lot of hiding spots and little coves. If I can get just a couple that could live with them, I would be content. I am thinking I am going to start with a few 'simpler' corals to get my feet wet... I have been readin a bit, and looking at millions of pics... and I think I am gonna try.

I am patient, for the most part... so I will think and plan some.

05/16/2009, 08:04 PM	#1
Imzadi Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 1,038	Damsels... can't we just get along? I have a newly upgraded 55g going (red house)... I currently have 2 of the Blue Damsels, with the yellow tails. I didn't buy them to cycle the tank, I bought them (3 actually) cuz I thought they were very cute little fish, with lots of energy. My question is... I know they are known to be agggresive... is there anything that I can keep with them? I really want : FlameHawk Goby/pistol Psycho Goby (or mandarin, but Psycho is smaller) lawnmowers scooters What od that list is compatible... and what suggestions are there for others? I don't want to get rid of the wee Damsels... if I can help it. oh, and one of them Wrasse that eats the bristleworms... my wife hates them. (after I get a cover of some sort) __________________ If you don't agree with me, that's fine... just go, think about it some more, and come back when you do. Current Tank Info: 120g Freshie, 55g salty with a 2/3 BeanAnimal. BA METHOD - TESTIFY! I am a DIY Disaster, but I am saving money! Damsel FREE since 07/08/09!

05/16/2009, 09:30 PM	#3
mario4254 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Barrington il Posts: 1,002	i got my 3 damsels more than 3 years ago to cycle the tank ( i was clue less at that time ) anyway all 3 are still alive and i have a 120 gl tank and got yellow tang ,blue tang , lawnmower bleny,2 tomatoes clowns and 2 false precs, all fish thave their little piece of the reef and thare is no fighting whatsoever 2 damsles laid eggs and would get territorial if some one got near their nest so do the tomatoe clowns but that is to be expected ......... __________________ ~Mario Current Tank Info: 4x2x2 120 gallon SPS/LPS reef ,40 gallon sump/fuge, H&S skimmer A150-F2001, 2x250 MH, 4x65 CF, Knopp HD calcium reactor,2x Vortech MP40W, 2x Koralia #3, AC JR / 30x20x12 frag tank

05/17/2009, 06:26 AM	#4
Imzadi Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 1,038	This is good news. Your's laid eggs! Wow. chrysiptera parasema is exactly what they are. They aren't THAT aggressive, but they did kill a Green Chromis, and they did kill the third wheel of the Dansel Trio. A flamehawk! That makes me happy. Thats the one fish my wife DOES want. I don't think I have the room for a Tang. I have Mucho Gusto! amounts of liverock. Like 70-80 lbs or more. (that I used to have in a 33g, yikes!) 6-line is a good idea, I have to get rid of the Bristleworms, and they eat them, I think. I doubt I will go with any clowns, for now... I don't have any place for them to habitate... and I don't want a 'Nemo' fish... just because its a Nemo fish! lol I really want a Psychodelic Goby though... you think he will get picked on? And a watchman/Pistol combo? And any blennies should be okay, I would think. __________________ If you don't agree with me, that's fine... just go, think about it some more, and come back when you do. Current Tank Info: 120g Freshie, 55g salty with a 2/3 BeanAnimal. BA METHOD - TESTIFY! I am a DIY Disaster, but I am saving money! Damsel FREE since 07/08/09!

05/17/2009, 08:51 AM	#5
mustang51js Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: haskell, n.j. Posts: 593	i think the damsels are less aggressive if there added after the other fish,maybe move some rock around when you add the new fish. __________________ george 50g corner reef yellow tang Current Tank Info: temp 90g reef,2 4bulb t5 lights-

05/17/2009, 09:51 AM	#6
ser_renely Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,820	I think they are less aggressive when there are lots of other fish around... but I will never own another one, unless I had a large tank 120 __________________ RIP: Osc. Clown - Ammonia, YW GobY - overflow, YW Goby - Pistol shrimp, Firefish - acclimation. 5 Fire fish - pistol shrimp, Mandarin - Pistol shrimp!!!!! Current Tank Info: 60g Cube, 15g sump/fuge,Tunze 9010 skimmer, Reefbreeders Photon 16" - 2 Osc. Clowns,2 Lyretail Anthias, Blue Chromis, mp20, mp10....another DAMN pistol shrimp!

05/16/2009, 09:26 PM	#2
91yota Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 782	likely chrisiptera parasema... some of the more laid back of the damsel species IME and should do fine with many commonly available fish... i would skip gobies, dragonettes, anthias, and fairy wrasses as tank mates in a 55g though... mine currently lives quite happily in a 75 with a large occelaris clown, yellow tang, flame hawk, 6-line wrasse, and a rabbitfish

05/17/2009, 10:24 AM	#7
mcoomer Rat Bastard! Join Date: May 2007 Location: Sammamish, WA Posts: 1,487	I have two dominos and a yellow tail damsel and if someone else swims into "their area" and lingers they'll get agitated but other than that they are OK with the other occupants of the tank. I like keeping damsels in there because they're cheap, they come in so many different shapes, colors, and sizes, and they're very active and give a lot of movement to the tank. I've got a couple tangs and a big Emperor in the 125 with them and they've all worked things out. If they become too much of a problem for you just put a big lion in there...no more damsels. __________________ Spending exorbitant amounts of money on this hobby since 1998! My wife thought the tank would be cheaper and easier to keep than a dog...no seriously! Current Tank Info: 180 gallon mixed reef; Reeflo Barracuda, Tunze 6105 (X3), 250W Radiums with dual HQI Blue Wave 7, Reefkeeper Elite controller, custom sump with ASM G4, carbon and GFO reactors

05/17/2009, 12:38 PM	#8
Imzadi Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 1,038	Well... they are the ONLY fish in the tank right now... and they have been there a while. Mind you, this is a new tank. Been up a week. But the 'scape is the same rock... I guess I will just have to play it by ear. Add a fish, THEN if they get obnoxious... decide who stays... __________________ If you don't agree with me, that's fine... just go, think about it some more, and come back when you do. Current Tank Info: 120g Freshie, 55g salty with a 2/3 BeanAnimal. BA METHOD - TESTIFY! I am a DIY Disaster, but I am saving money! Damsel FREE since 07/08/09!

05/17/2009, 02:41 PM	#9
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	Many claim the yellowtails are less aggro than some of the others. That flamehawk could be a little mean. Hopefully they work out for you, cause it won't be fun/easy to fish them out!LOL __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

05/17/2009, 04:12 PM	#10
Imzadi Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 1,038	I know... that is what I worry about the most. And my Liverock is WICKED full of little nooks and crannies. __________________ If you don't agree with me, that's fine... just go, think about it some more, and come back when you do. Current Tank Info: 120g Freshie, 55g salty with a 2/3 BeanAnimal. BA METHOD - TESTIFY! I am a DIY Disaster, but I am saving money! Damsel FREE since 07/08/09!

05/17/2009, 04:36 PM	#11
ser_renely Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,820	I had to take all my rock out!!! literally all of it __________________ RIP: Osc. Clown - Ammonia, YW GobY - overflow, YW Goby - Pistol shrimp, Firefish - acclimation. 5 Fire fish - pistol shrimp, Mandarin - Pistol shrimp!!!!! Current Tank Info: 60g Cube, 15g sump/fuge,Tunze 9010 skimmer, Reefbreeders Photon 16" - 2 Osc. Clowns,2 Lyretail Anthias, Blue Chromis, mp20, mp10....another DAMN pistol shrimp!

05/17/2009, 04:59 PM	#12
Imzadi Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 1,038	Oh.. no no no... lol That would be CRAZY! Yea, I have to think about this a little more. __________________ If you don't agree with me, that's fine... just go, think about it some more, and come back when you do. Current Tank Info: 120g Freshie, 55g salty with a 2/3 BeanAnimal. BA METHOD - TESTIFY! I am a DIY Disaster, but I am saving money! Damsel FREE since 07/08/09!

05/18/2009, 05:34 AM	#13
Teremei Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: West Chicago (one hour west) Posts: 2,751	In a 55 with blue (devil) damsels. They are likely to pester any small fish or even slightly larger timid fish. Especially since they were there first. There's not alot of room for territory in a 55.

05/18/2009, 08:38 AM	#14
Imzadi Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 1,038	Yea, this is what I am afraid of also. The only chance is that the tank has a lot of hiding spots and little coves. If I can get just a couple that could live with them, I would be content. I am thinking I am going to start with a few 'simpler' corals to get my feet wet... I have been readin a bit, and looking at millions of pics... and I think I am gonna try. I am patient, for the most part... so I will think and plan some. __________________ If you don't agree with me, that's fine... just go, think about it some more, and come back when you do. Current Tank Info: 120g Freshie, 55g salty with a 2/3 BeanAnimal. BA METHOD - TESTIFY! I am a DIY Disaster, but I am saving money! Damsel FREE since 07/08/09!