Damsel friend?

[Courtney Lovell]

Hi there,
Newbie to this fabulous world. We got a yellow and blue damsel fish as a starter but my kids really want to add fish. I hear they are not great with other fish. Any thoughts?

Also I got 2 hermit crabs(both same size to start with) to help with clean up and one has switched shells 3 times in the last 2 months and has tripled in size! Obviously eating like a king but super mean. He keep picking fights with the smaller one and appears to be looking in the other shells for someone to fight. Then he tosses the empty shells around. Any thought?

Thanks

 

[James M]

Welcome to reef2reef !!!
What size is your tank ?
I would replace the damsels

 

[High ICP]

The blue damsels are usually tame even later on

Domino and striped turn into monsters later on

 

[Courtney Lovell]

Welcome to reef2reef !!!
What size is your tank ?
I would replace the damsels

13.5 gallon ....thanks

 

[Dom]

Generally speaking, Damsels are territorial and will give a bad time to anything added to the tank AFTER they have been there for a while.

 

[PatW]

A 13 gallon tank is pretty small. You only want nano fish. Damsels have out sized personalities. I am a scuba diver and 4” damsels will often attack divers who get into their territories. Big sharks tend to be shy but damsels are crazy.

 

[Mikedawg]

I would also replace the damsels. Might consider firefish, clown gobies (yellow and green), neon blue goby or a yellow prawn goby. https://www.liveaquaria.com/category/2124/nano-fish?c=15+2124&r=

All are hardy, colorful and have interesting habits. Good luck

 

[Courtney Lovell]

A 13 gallon tank is pretty small. You only want nano fish. Damsels have out sized personalities. I am a scuba diver and 4” damsels will often attack divers who get into their territories. Big sharks tend to be shy but damsels are crazy.

Wow!!! Thanks

 

[Salty Waffles]

I keep 5 Azure Damsels in my tank. I wouldn't say they're mean, but as mentioned they are territorial. They guard their little area against anyone no matter how much bigger or badder they may be IME. I could see one being a handful in such a small tank.

 

[Salty Lemon]

Damsels are territorial and the blues and yellows are supposed to be less aggressive than the black and whites (which are pure evil). This is your tank and you can decide what you would like to do and everyone has different experiences. But I would be hesitant having them as a starter fish.

 

[Salty Lemon]

P.S. Welcome to R2R!