What fish go together?

[invaderzimm]

So currently I only have a damsel in my 30 gallon tank. The fish I wan to get are the Ruby Cardinal, Purple Firefish Goby, The long fin fairy wrasse, and a usual clownfish. I know I should only have 1 goby, 1 clown, and probably keep it at 1 damsel. However, how many of the other fish can I get for a good tank and will these fish do well together?

[HumbleFish]

The first thing you need to do is get rid of that damsel (unless it's a chromis). Then proceed with your stocking list. Most damsels (except for chromis) will relentlessly harass other fish in a tank as small as yours. It's a territorial thing - the damsel will view the entire 30 gals as his territory.

[invaderzimm]

It is a yellow-tail damselfish. What if I move him out, put the other fish in for a little while, and then put him back? Would he still be territorial?

[HumbleFish]

Originally Posted by invaderzimm

It is a yellow-tail damselfish. What if I move him out, put the other fish in for a little while, and then put him back? Would he still be territorial?

That won't help. The only way damsels play nice with other fish is if they are kept in really large systems. And even that is not true 100% of the time.

If you decide to keep the damsel, I suggest you stock small fish capable of defending themselves (like dottybacks). But be prepared for never ending skirmishes.

[cangrejo]

Go to liveaquaria.com they have compatibility tables.

[webslinger]

Get rid of the damsel first. Use a #24 fishing hook with a small piece of shrimp.

[invaderzimm]

On the chart, all of the fish I want are green except cardinals, which is "Use caution"

[Reeferz412]

Originally Posted by invaderzimm

It is a yellow-tail damselfish. What if I move him out, put the other fish in for a little while, and then put him back? Would he still be territorial?

One approach I would take, is to get fish bigger than the damsel, isolate the damsel in some sort of in tank breeder box, and let the newcoming fish develop a territory. I did this with my flameback angel and it worked like a charm. Other methods of adding fish after an aggressive fish has been added is to redo the rockwork, put the fish in the sump, or temporary removal. I have 4 damsels in my tank with almost the same selection of fish you want.

[jerseygurl]

Originally Posted by HumbleFish

The first thing you need to do is get rid of that damsel (unless it's a chromis). Then proceed with your stocking list. Most damsels (except for chromis) will relentlessly harass other fish in a tank as small as yours. It's a territorial thing - the damsel will view the entire 30 gals as his territory.

It's true, get rid of him now, just do it.

You should consider yellow watchman gobby/pistol shrimp combo, they are so cute together. I'd add them before anything else so they can get a good spot without being harassed.