Damselfish in my Reef!

andiesreef · Jul 18, 2021

Hello! Just showing off my new Rolland's damsel. 24hrs after being introduced into my no-QT nano tank, this fella looks amazing. Love the way it darts around my tank. It seems to have claimed this crevice of my rock, kicking out the peppermint shrimp who used to call it home.

What are your thoughts on "peaceful" damsels? Do you like damsels at all?

vtecintegra · Jul 18, 2021

I fell for the "Roland's are peaceful damsels". It pinned a Chromis to the bottom back wall of the tank, and does a drive by on a small Gramma every 15 minutes, running it under a rock. I had to take the Chromis out. I haven't found a way to catch the Damsel yet, but he's out if I ever do.

Amandakayphoto · Jul 18, 2021

CanuckReefer said:
My Three Stripe Damsel has been a model citizen for 18 years. I think his larger tankmates keep his pugnacious Damsel tendencies 'in check ' lol.

I just rescued a little 5 gallon that has a 10-ish year old three-stripe. I was told he had killed a couple clowns in his past- which I am sure he did since he never should have been put in a tank that small... I do like him though- he is a neat little guy ♡

Nick Steele · Jul 18, 2021

I really love damsels if done in the correct tank. I have room in my 20G but not quite sure it will work out with my stock list now. But when I do my 100G upgrade there will be 5 azure or talbot damsels for sure! And then with the 300+ gallon there will be 15-20 added when the tank gets mature and has good coral growth.

Sump Crab · Jul 18, 2021

vtecintegra said:
I fell for the "Roland's are peaceful damsels". It pinned a Chromis to the bottom back wall of the tank, and does a drive by on a small Gramma every 15 minutes, running it under a rock. I had to take the Chromis out. I haven't found a way to catch the Damsel yet, but he's out if I ever do.

Damsels, especially an aggressive one, are easily caught with hook and line. Seriously.

DeniseAndy · Jul 18, 2021

As stated, it is all about tank set up. My 210g has the room and areas for each to have their own space. They chase every now and then, but not too bad. In a small set up, only one will ever work.

Or go with the idea that aggression will not hurt one if so many are in there. I find that does not work. They do gang up on the smallest and pick off in order. Space is needed.

LgTas · Jul 18, 2021

I have two azures in a 60 gal DT. They were fine for a few months but the larger one started having a go at the smaller one. Realised they were fighting for the 'best' territory' where I always drop the food. Changed my feeding location to the larger ones territory and they went back to being civil neighbours. I love them and they're beautiful to look at.

p.s. I have a lot of rock work with bolt holes and sub sections.

vtecintegra · Jul 18, 2021

Jrain904 said:
Damsels, especially an aggressive one, are easily caught with hook and line. Seriously.

I have the hook and line. My problem is that the line floats on the surface, and I haven't figured out a way to get it to sink that won't probably make him suspicious. The tank is 24" deep, and the damsel hangs out near the bottom, especially when he thinks I'm after him.

Tcook · Jul 18, 2021

I like them. They add a little color and different shape to my sea of "orange" fish

dvgyfresh · Jul 18, 2021

Damsels are mean but can work out

Tcook · Jul 18, 2021

dvgyfresh said:
Damsels are mean but can work out

No one is going to push that domino around

dvgyfresh · Jul 18, 2021

Tcook said:
No one is going to push that domino around

My clowns put them in their place lol when they come to their anemone

BostonReefer300 · Jul 18, 2021

JayA said:
my yellow tail blue damsel is a pretty decent tank mate! (so far...) Taking it one day at a time. 4 other fish in there. he bickers some with the clown that hosts in the anemone, otherwise ok. Nice color and active fish. Wasn't really my choice, per se (we were using him as a fish that could hold his own to see if I could introduce other fish). Since he has mostly behaved, I have let him stay.

All I can say is I wish you luck! Yellowtails are the devil incarnate IMO and IME. Super mean to other fish, bites me repeatedly anytime my hand is in the tank, and is literally immortal. I had one take a trip down my plumbing almost ten years ago and found him stuck to the side of my filter sock days later. All banged up, yet he lives to this day. Pretty sure he also took a spin through one of my Vortech MP60s before I put a guard on it. I might try to coax him into it again just to see what happens. I hate that fish.

Dolphins18 · Jul 18, 2021

I let my predators eat them, only the strong survive. I have 7 or so now across multiple tanks. Most have been with me long term, it doesn't change that they are ******* fish. Hope the best!

VentingFish · Jul 18, 2021

andiesreef said:
Hello! Just showing off my new Rolland's damsel. 24hrs after being introduced into my no-QT nano tank, this fella looks amazing. Love the way it darts around my tank. It seems to have claimed this crevice of my rock, kicking out the peppermint shrimp who used to call it home.

What are your thoughts on "peaceful" damsels? Do you like damsels at all?

T

andiesreef said:
Hello! Just showing off my new Rolland's damsel. 24hrs after being introduced into my no-QT nano tank, this fella looks amazing. Love the way it darts around my tank. It seems to have claimed this crevice of my rock, kicking out the peppermint shrimp who used to call it home.

What are your thoughts on "peaceful" damsels? Do you like damsels at all?

Tbh kind scared to try!

Ossy3 · Jul 19, 2021

I have a couple of damselfish. Look pretty with their colors, but if you can avoid them (especially at the start), it'll probably help you in the long run.

Sump Crab · Jul 19, 2021

vtecintegra said:
I have the hook and line. My problem is that the line floats on the surface, and I haven't figured out a way to get it to sink that won't probably make him suspicious. The tank is 24" deep, and the damsel hangs out near the bottom, especially when he thinks I'm after him.

Use fluorocarbon line. It sinks.

Here's a whole thread on it:

I can't be the only one....catching fish with a hook!

Who has used a fishing hook to remove an unwanted fish. One time I had a damsel fish from hell and I simply could not catch him. I did not want to take apart my tank to catch him so I employed my favorite hobby, fishing. I reached into my tackle and found the smallest hook I owned, debarbed it...

www.reef2reef.com

Zionas · Jul 19, 2021

Hope they can become a mated pair!

reefruss · Jul 19, 2021

JayA said:
my yellow tail blue damsel is a pretty decent tank mate!

I've had the same for years and have never had any problem with any of them.

Leo_ian · Jul 19, 2021

ime , damsels that are safe are chrysiptera, haven’t tried many other genus but i heard the pomacentrus should also be quite peaceful.
as long as you have another fish to keep them in check (or just something that looks bigger than them) and they are added last they should be fine. chromis, after they are done pecking each other off, they will peck the other fish off, so i won’t touch them. but i heard the Caribbean ones are chill?