considering adding Talbot damsels to established reef

tebstan · 03/16/2012, 10:53 PM

My 90g is a few years old, has a lot of coral and a mountain of rock. Corals are growing steady, macro is thriving, nitrates are undetectable (bio pellets). When I do a head count of the fish to see that everyone is ok, the list seems long but there’s not a lot of activity. I’ve been thinking of adding a more active fish or two.

First of all, I’m not sure if I should add to the bio load.

Second, if I do, what?!

Current list:

1 purple firefish
2 bangai cardinal
1 tomiyama shrimp goby
1 royal grama
1 starry blenny
1 six line wrasse
1 red scooter blenny
(maroon clown pair are currently in qt trying to force a pairing)
1 little yellow tang – (I got a tang as an ulva control experiment, decided I like the ulva better than him considering he can’t be a permanent resident anyway. He’ll be around another 6 months or so, he’ll be re-homed before he’s 3”-4”)

1 pistol shrimp
2 fire shrimp
1 coral banded shrimp
5 emerald crabs
Assorted hermits
Assorted snails
LPS, softies

Seems like a long list, but no one really leaves the rock. Another blenny would be cool, I love blennies. But would the starry pick on a newcomer? A blenny wouldn’t really add motion to the water column anyway. I've thought of adding a mandarin, but it would have to be a real pretty female to risk upsetting Scoot.

I’m considering damsels… so many people hate on the damsels, but they stay small, are active, and have enough gumption to put up with my semi-aggressive stock list.

There are some Talbot’s Damsels at a LFS that keep catching my eye. They’re called a favorite on Wet Web, supposedly non aggressive (for a damsel) and stay around 2” max.

I was going to wait until the tang leaves… but with the clowns in QT, now would be the ideal time to add damsels so they can get established without Mean Momma around.

Anyone have experience with the Talbot’s damsel?

What quantities are a good way to go with damsels? I’ve heard of chromis slowly picking off the weakest member until they’re down to one.

tebstan · 03/17/2012, 09:22 AM

bump. . .

dzfish17 · 03/17/2012, 06:22 PM

I dont see a problem with the talbot. I have one and he gets chased around by some of the other (more aggressive) damsels. My tank is a little bigger than your tank but you should be ok. The damsels get a bad wrap around here but some of them are not that bad in bigger tanks. From my experience the talbot, azure, and starki are pretty calm for damsels.

tebstan · 03/17/2012, 07:11 PM

The various blue damsels are very pretty, but become less noticeable in front of a blue background.

The more I think about it, the more I've got my heart set on a small group of Talbots. Now I just have to decide - three, or five?

tebstan · 03/19/2012, 11:59 AM

Ordered some Talbots! I'm excited.

The LFS can two this week, but I really want an odd number, so they'll try for some more on the next order. I hope they'll hold them for me so I can add them all at the same time.

I hope a school of 3 will behave

murdoch LFC · 03/19/2012, 05:17 PM

Dont do it i purchased 3 as my first fish after a total wipeout.In the lfs they were all swimming in the open water,after adding them to my tank one picked the centre one left and one the right rockwork.They were a complete nightmare harrasing and killing my flame angel resulting in me having to drain my tank to get them out,now they reside in my sump.
john

tebstan · 03/19/2012, 07:17 PM

I know the damsel horror stories, but frankly that's what I'm counting on!

I set out to make a peaceful reef, and somehow ended up with a tank full of terrors. They don't eat coral, but they're mean as heck.

03/16/2012, 10:53 PM	#1
tebstan Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 961	considering adding Talbot damsels to established reef My 90g is a few years old, has a lot of coral and a mountain of rock. Corals are growing steady, macro is thriving, nitrates are undetectable (bio pellets). When I do a head count of the fish to see that everyone is ok, the list seems long but there’s not a lot of activity. I’ve been thinking of adding a more active fish or two. First of all, I’m not sure if I should add to the bio load. Second, if I do, what?! Current list: 1 purple firefish 2 bangai cardinal 1 tomiyama shrimp goby 1 royal grama 1 starry blenny 1 six line wrasse 1 red scooter blenny (maroon clown pair are currently in qt trying to force a pairing) 1 little yellow tang – (I got a tang as an ulva control experiment, decided I like the ulva better than him considering he can’t be a permanent resident anyway. He’ll be around another 6 months or so, he’ll be re-homed before he’s 3”-4”) 1 pistol shrimp 2 fire shrimp 1 coral banded shrimp 5 emerald crabs Assorted hermits Assorted snails LPS, softies Seems like a long list, but no one really leaves the rock. Another blenny would be cool, I love blennies. But would the starry pick on a newcomer? A blenny wouldn’t really add motion to the water column anyway. I've thought of adding a mandarin, but it would have to be a real pretty female to risk upsetting Scoot. I’m considering damsels… so many people hate on the damsels, but they stay small, are active, and have enough gumption to put up with my semi-aggressive stock list. There are some Talbot’s Damsels at a LFS that keep catching my eye. They’re called a favorite on Wet Web, supposedly non aggressive (for a damsel) and stay around 2” max. I was going to wait until the tang leaves… but with the clowns in QT, now would be the ideal time to add damsels so they can get established without Mean Momma around. Anyone have experience with the Talbot’s damsel? What quantities are a good way to go with damsels? I’ve heard of chromis slowly picking off the weakest member until they’re down to one. __________________ Washington's Rule #110: Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience. Last edited by tebstan; 03/16/2012 at 11:17 PM. Reason: forgot scoot!

03/17/2012, 09:22 AM	#2
tebstan Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 961	bump. . . __________________ Washington's Rule #110: Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience.

03/17/2012, 06:22 PM	#3
dzfish17 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Fresno,Ca. Posts: 2,545	I dont see a problem with the talbot. I have one and he gets chased around by some of the other (more aggressive) damsels. My tank is a little bigger than your tank but you should be ok. The damsels get a bad wrap around here but some of them are not that bad in bigger tanks. From my experience the talbot, azure, and starki are pretty calm for damsels. __________________ 600g (96x36x46) FOWLR

03/17/2012, 07:11 PM	#4
tebstan Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 961	The various blue damsels are very pretty, but become less noticeable in front of a blue background. The more I think about it, the more I've got my heart set on a small group of Talbots. Now I just have to decide - three, or five? __________________ Washington's Rule #110: Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience.

03/19/2012, 11:59 AM	#5
tebstan Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 961	Ordered some Talbots! I'm excited. The LFS can two this week, but I really want an odd number, so they'll try for some more on the next order. I hope they'll hold them for me so I can add them all at the same time. I hope a school of 3 will behave __________________ Washington's Rule #110: Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience.

03/19/2012, 05:17 PM	#6
murdoch LFC Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 20	Talbots Dont do it i purchased 3 as my first fish after a total wipeout.In the lfs they were all swimming in the open water,after adding them to my tank one picked the centre one left and one the right rockwork.They were a complete nightmare harrasing and killing my flame angel resulting in me having to drain my tank to get them out,now they reside in my sump. john

03/19/2012, 07:17 PM	#7
tebstan Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 961	I know the damsel horror stories, but frankly that's what I'm counting on! I set out to make a peaceful reef, and somehow ended up with a tank full of terrors. They don't eat coral, but they're mean as heck. __________________ Washington's Rule #110: Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience.