Damsels in Reef tank

[crazyboi48]

I have a 180g and wanted a small group of damsels or chromis. I've been looking at Blue reef chromis, CB Azure Damsels or Alleni Damsels. Any feedback or advice? I'm thinking of adding 3-5.

Currently I have;

CB Majestic Juve
2.5" Juve Emperor Angel
4" Black Tang
4" Blonde Naso
Supermale Flame
Supermale Rhomboid
Supermale Lineatus
Divided Leopard Female 3"
3" Melanurus Wrasse
Cleaner Wrasse
A few blennies/gobies
2" Mystery Wrasse
2" Dot Dash wrasse

I've had everything for over 2yrs except my new additions of the Emperor, Dot Dash Wrasse, and mystery. These will be my final addition of fish.

 

[mattzang]

if i had a 180 i'd totally do a whole mess of Chrysiptera damsels. maybe a couple each of azure, springers, talbot, rollands, traceys, and maybe even a couple starckis

 

[crazyboi48]

if i had a 180 i'd totally do a whole mess of Chrysiptera damsels. maybe a couple each of azure, springers, talbot, rollands, traceys, and maybe even a couple starckis

My worry is the horror stories of damsels and putting a lot of different types may cause a huge war! haha.. Don't want to risk my prized fishes...

 

[JOKER]

The aggression diminishes a lot in a larger tank. I have 3 big chromis in a 7' tank, and rarely do they ever even chase each other. The key is that they have a small space to themselves. They are very active fish. The blue ones, domino, and 3 spot I stay away from as they are bad.

 

[mattzang]

My worry is the horror stories of damsels and putting a lot of different types may cause a huge war! haha.. Don't want to risk my prized fishes...

the chrysiptera are known to be more peaceful, they're not those huge great white shark damsels like the domino or 3 stripe. i have a springers and it's the whimpiest fish in my tank. and with all the other damsels around they'll probably just bug each other

 

[crazyboi48]

the chrysiptera are known to be more peaceful, they're not those huge great white shark damsels like the domino or 3 stripe. i have a springers and it's the whimpiest fish in my tank. and with all the other damsels around they'll probably just bug each other

Good to know. Trying to do my research before making this move. haha..

 

[JOKER]

The damsel you have listed will most likely just pick with their species. The ones I have in my tank don't bother other stuff. My rosyscale wrasse on the other hand picks on everything I put into tank for a day or 2.

 

[crazyboi48]

Thank you guys for the advice. So do you recommend 1 species of 3-5 or multiple species of 2?

 

[mattzang]

Thank you guys for the advice. So do you recommend 1 species of 3-5 or multiple species of 2?

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/what’s-your-take-on-a-shoal-of-damsels.454787/

some good info there

 

[User1]

Pretty much what @mattzang noted. The Chrysiptera damsels are typically more peaceful. It does not mean that it will be all golden bombs of light and love but if you have a properly sized aquarium, with enough rocks, caves, nooks, and crannies for their home and retreat then they are the ones to go for. @ca1ore has around 50 to 60 in his 450 gallon tank with good success. Again, the only way I would recommend is if you have the space for them and a pretty mature and/or healthy coral population.

I've had a mix of 3 azures and 3 talbots which got a long fine for 3 years. Then lost a couple to a bacteria bloom or anemone / snail spawn that caused issues. Of the two remaining azures that was a mated pair. I lost another and down to the single today. I would introduce more but I since upgraded to a 210 gallon and while I have the rocks to support them the coral isn't mature enough in my opinion. When I see damsels I see a need for the whole package much like I see when I'm scuba diving over a reef. I'm just not there yet.

Damsels are really great fish though that offer a splash of color, speed, and constant activity. You just have to buy the right fish for your aquarium.

 

[crazyboi48]

Pretty much what @mattzang noted. The Chrysiptera damsels are typically more peaceful. It does not mean that it will be all golden bombs of light and love but if you have a properly sized aquarium, with enough rocks, caves, nooks, and crannies for their home and retreat then they are the ones to go for. @ca1ore has around 50 to 60 in his 450 gallon tank with good success. Again, the only way I would recommend is if you have the space for them and a pretty mature and/or healthy coral population.

I've had a mix of 3 azures and 3 talbots which got a long fine for 3 years. Then lost a couple to a bacteria bloom or anemone / snail spawn that caused issues. Of the two remaining azures that was a mated pair. I lost another and down to the single today. I would introduce more but I since upgraded to a 210 gallon and while I have the rocks to support them the coral isn't mature enough in my opinion. When I see damsels I see a need for the whole package much like I see when I'm scuba diving over a reef. I'm just not there yet.

Damsels are really great fish though that offer a splash of color, speed, and constant activity. You just have to buy the right fish for your aquarium.

Thank you both for the great advice and link. My tank is mature and have great SPS growth. Also hoping to upgrade to a 300 next year. Here’s a pic

 

[ca1ore]

I still have most of the 50-60 I originally added. They still don’t bother anyone else. The only issue was that I bought a trio of Talbots off DD that urned out to not be Talbots; rather Albon. Different genus and quite a bit larger. Two remain, one of which is a male and has gotten quite large - not overly aggressive but not a timid as the chrysiptera.

 

[ca1ore]

At last count I have 5 Talbot, 3 Rolland (may be my favorite), 4-5 azure, 1 starki and then a whole bushel of yellow tails.

 

[crazyboi48]

At last count I have 5 Talbot, 3 Rolland (may be my favorite), 4-5 azure, 1 starki and then a whole bushel of yellow tails.

Wow! Nice! I frag my sps all the time so my hands may have to develop a callus. haha

 

[User1]

Wow! Nice! I frag my sps all the time so my hands may have to develop a callus. haha

Nice tank by the way. I think you have plenty of room and growth for their respected retreats. Side note - I picked up a pair of shoulder length gloves off of Amazon - I'm sure other stores will carry - anyway they are food handling safe and water proof - that is what I was using due to a pair of overly aggressive true percs.

 

[crazyboi48]

I’m thinking to start, 7 CB azures and 3 Talbots. Depending how this goes maybe 5 rolands and a Starcki after?

 

[Bryce M.]

I think that would be good. Personally I like chromies as school fish just because of aggression

 

[Nathan Milender]

A long time ago I had a damsel tank, it was a mix of every type I could find including the evil ones. In addition there was a molly that cycled the tank and would not die as well as 2 oscellaris. Constant fighting and positioning, nothing died. Tank got taken down as I was not in a stable place geographically and it was just too hard to be on the fly with a tank. They went back to the pet store. It was a great tank, only 30 gallons, 6-7 damsels so about 9-10 fish. No coral, ran on undergravel and live rock. I always look at them as they are cheap, colorful, and fun. Coming back into the hobby I was amazed at what a bad rep they get and I have not gotten more but I have considered setting up the 30 gallon again as a fish only just to have them, they are that fun.

 

[Matyas]

Blue Sapphire damsels are the best. Dosile and beautiful.

 

[Glenner’sreef]

Got four of these gems. Peaceful like Chromis. Don’t know the actual name. I think it was something like “assorted damsel” rare no doubt. Good luck.