So what's your thoughts on Damsel fish?

[AdamNC]

Years ago I used to keep Blue Devils (Chrysiptera cyanea). I've been thinking about getting a couple for my tank. Most people say "you'll regret it" but why? I never had any issues with them before and not having a 180 gallon tank, I've got an iching for another blue fish again, and you all know what I'm talking about. Being it's only a 29 gallon standard, there's not much of a choice for out in the open blue fish. The only other fish in the tank is a Mandarin (Synchiropus splendidus), yes he's fat due to my constant pod restocking every time I go get fresh RO/DI from the LFS which is every 2 weeks. Not really interested in Yellowtail Damselfish (Chrysiptera parasema) but possibly Fiji Blue Devil Damselfish (Chrysiptera taupou).
I'd like to do 2 of either species but not 1 of each.

Blue Devil (Chrysiptera cyanea)

Fiji Blue Devil Damselfish (Chrysiptera taupou)

 

[Untamedrose]

They can be territorial nasty little bullies to other fish, and impossible to catch. is why folks regret it. I had one when I very first started and had issues with it as soon as I got comfortable expanding into other fish. Had to take it back.
That said if your not planning on ever putting anything but a few of those and the mandarin in there. It could work.

also what about a pygmy angel? they are a pretty dark blue with highlights and yellow face. max out at 3" Loves mine

 

[AdamNC]

Haven't really thought about any dwarf angels due to the fact that most have been known to pick at sps polyps. My tank is just now starting to bounce back from a near full crash. In my sig you can see my build thread and what it was just a few months ago to what it is now. But yea that's all I'm planning is the 2 damsels and the mandarin only.

 

[4FordFamily]

In a smaller tank, damsels are easier to remove but they require you to remove rockwork. Removing them from a 180 reef is a real pain. I own zero damsels and probably 55 fish I very much dislike their temperaments.

That said they're not all bad for everyone, just know the risks and weigh them

 

[john.m.cole3]

I've heard the spingeri damsel is very blue and one of the more friendly variety. @eatbreakfast may be able to give you some guidance

 

[Eaj1001]

Haven't really thought about any dwarf angels due to the fact that most have been known to pick at sps polyps. My tank is just now starting to bounce back from a near full crash. In my sig you can see my build thread and what it was just a few months ago to what it is now. But yea that's all I'm planning is the 2 damsels and the mandarin only.

I have a cherub (Pygmy) in my 25 reef and no problems at all with corals..I also like blue devils, I had one for 3 years in a 55 but I wouldn't put 2 in a 29 most likely one will be dominant and shread the other.

 

[Rybren]

I like the Azure Damsel. It has a great blue colour and is pretty mellow ime.

Another very blue fish is the Ptereleotris heteroptera - Blue Gudgeon Dartfish. They are also mellow, but timid.

 

[eatbreakfast]

I haven't had any issues with the blue devil or theFiji blue devil.

As @john.m.cole3 mentioned springeri are a very peaceful and blue damsel. Many of the Chrysiptera species are good choices.

 

[FishLover01]

I have a 36 bow front FOWLR tank. In it, I have a Yellow Tang that I plan on moving to a larger tank when he gets bigger, a Tomato Clownfish, a Blue Damsel, a Black Chromis, and last but surely not least, the meanest and most aggressive of all damsels, a Black and White 3 stripe Damsel. The reason my tank is working is because all of my fish are aggressive and fend for themselves. Putting aggressive fish with more aggressive fish is a risk but it can work and I believe my tank is proof. They all turn on each other periodically but they all seem to return the favor. None of them seem stressed and all eat well. These 5 fish have been in this tank for 1 1/2 years with no deaths. So, my recommendation would be to put an aggressive damsel in a tank with other aggressive fish that can take care of themselves.

 

[steelheader.262]

A holes!!!!!:mad:

 

[redfishbluefish]

Back when I was a snot-nosed newbie (maybe I still am, I'm not sure) I put a blue velvet Damsel in my tank because I though it was pretty fish. Well three deaths later, that fish was removed to a friends tank who had it set up as an "agressive" tank. Other than clown fish, I will never ever own a damsel again. And yes, clown fish are damsels.

 

[ritter6788]

I'm a damsel apologist.

Starcki damsels are my favorite but I'm also partial to the azure and the yellow tail.

The fish you keep with it depend on their aggression. My last tank my clowns and hawkfish were way more aggressive than the damsel.

 

[Steve Maxwell]

Beautiful...but staight from satan! Mine gad a habit of fanning sand all the way to the tanks bottom glass...covering rocks and corals. Went back to the lfs.

 

[adestafi]

They're the spawn of satan. Everyone of them and I own several different species

 

[eatbreakfast]

Chrysiptera species are way less aggressive than the 3stripe, 4stripe, dominoes, blue velvet, staghorn, and most other damsels.

 

[Downbeach]

They should respell it as Damnsel.

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

I have four yellowtail damsels in my 125. They bicker amongst one another from time to time, but they leave all the other fish alone. Honestly, however, I wouldn't try what I'm doing with any other damsel species as I've found the yellowtail to be fairly mellow.

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

One final thought... if you get multiples of the same species, make sure it's an odd number. I didn't believe the wives tales about odd numbers of schooling fish, so I bought 4 yellowtails. They have split themselves into the only odd number configuration that is possible...three in one group and one by himself.

 

[Justin D]

I have a 350 gallon with seven of them in there and I'll never get any more ever again and when I go to a 650 gallon they will not be going in there there mean they attack all the tangs and angelfish I hate them

 

[d2mini]

I have 3 Springeri Damsels. Reef safe and not aggressive.