Would a "Blue Devil" work in my nano?

aschroeder · 05/07/2007, 08:53 AM

One of my local shops got in some adult "Blue Devil" damsels. I've only seen juvinille ones before, and I have to say that the adult coloration with the orange tail is extremely beautiful. This photo shows exactly what they look like:

I'd love to add one to my 20 gallon nano, but I know they can be very agressive. The ones in the shop were about 2.5 inches long. He'd be living with an Ocellaris Clown, and a Citron goby. Both are very peaceful, so would the Blue Devil terrorize them? I have plenty of live rock for him to make his home if that helps.

Ryan009 · 05/07/2007, 09:00 AM

IMO - No

I have one in my 12G nano and he leaves all my corals alone, but he won't tolerate any other fish. I've tried Percula clown and Banghai Cardinal's. They didn't last a week.

I've resigned myself to the fact that he'll be the only fish in the tank. I'm OK with that though because it is a beautiful fish!

aschroeder · 05/07/2007, 09:02 AM

What if he was the last fish added to the tank? Still too risky?

arts007 · 05/07/2007, 09:06 AM

beautiful little damsel, but they are aggressive, even more so as they mature. Keeping them with smaller tank mates or passive fish will cause certain fights and/or death.

Ryan009 · 05/07/2007, 09:07 AM

I had the clown before the Damsel and it worked for about a month before the Damsel killed it.

I tried the Cardinal after the Damsel was established and the Cardinal only lasted a few days.

You goby MAY be OK especially if he hangs out on the sand and in the rocks, but I would be cconcernedr about your clown

05/07/2007, 08:53 AM	#1
aschroeder Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Johnston, Iowa Posts: 438	Would a "Blue Devil" work in my nano? One of my local shops got in some adult "Blue Devil" damsels. I've only seen juvinille ones before, and I have to say that the adult coloration with the orange tail is extremely beautiful. This photo shows exactly what they look like: I'd love to add one to my 20 gallon nano, but I know they can be very agressive. The ones in the shop were about 2.5 inches long. He'd be living with an Ocellaris Clown, and a Citron goby. Both are very peaceful, so would the Blue Devil terrorize them? I have plenty of live rock for him to make his home if that helps.

05/07/2007, 09:06 AM	#4
arts007 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 600	beautiful little damsel, but they are aggressive, even more so as they mature. Keeping them with smaller tank mates or passive fish will cause certain fights and/or death. __________________ Genius is 1 percent inspiration and 99% perspiration, which is why engineers sometimes smell really bad. Current Tank Info: 120g SPS reef tank. 2x 400 watt Reeflux 12k on lumenbrights

05/07/2007, 09:00 AM	#2
Ryan009 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: West Bend, WI Posts: 433	IMO - No I have one in my 12G nano and he leaves all my corals alone, but he won't tolerate any other fish. I've tried Percula clown and Banghai Cardinal's. They didn't last a week. I've resigned myself to the fact that he'll be the only fish in the tank. I'm OK with that though because it is a beautiful fish!

05/07/2007, 09:02 AM	#3
aschroeder Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Johnston, Iowa Posts: 438	What if he was the last fish added to the tank? Still too risky?

05/07/2007, 09:07 AM	#5
Ryan009 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: West Bend, WI Posts: 433	I had the clown before the Damsel and it worked for about a month before the Damsel killed it. I tried the Cardinal after the Damsel was established and the Cardinal only lasted a few days. You goby MAY be OK especially if he hangs out on the sand and in the rocks, but I would be cconcernedr about your clown