Starcki Damsel...

MarvinsReef · Dec 4, 2012

who's got these colorful damsels? been reading about them. I'm thinking instead of adding a dwarf angel, I should just go with a damsel since they much more hardy and easier to get to eat. the only problem is I already have 2 pairs of Azure damsels.

some of the dwarf angels I'm looking to get grows to about 3"-4" and the Starcki Damsel seems to grow to about 3" too. I'm just looking for more blue in the tank. if I do end up getting some Starcki Damsels, I'll probably try out a few. dunno what the number is yet. open to suggestions. btw, I know.... they are damsels. haha...

Thanks.

Kworker · Dec 4, 2012

I was thinking about one too, I went with a few fairy wrasses recently so it's out of the question. But, the research I've done suggests they are the most tame of the damsels but may not do so well with fish shaped similar. But I've seen one minding its own business like no other fish were around. This was in I would say a 4x4x3 tank with clowns and green chromis.

10galclowns · Dec 4, 2012

Like to see pics

Reef Fever · Dec 4, 2012

i love damsels i keep singles of a variety of them in my 60 and they do fine (talbot, springeri, 4 stripe)

MarvinsReef · Dec 4, 2012

Reef Fever said:
i love damsels i keep singles of a variety of them in my 60 and they do fine (talbot, springeri, 4 stripe)

Springer's is not another nice one.

I think the Starcki and Azure are different shape.. and the Starcki is more purple than blue like the Azure from the pics and vids I've seen. I've never seen a Starcki in person though so I'm not really sure. anyone seen both the Starcki and Azure side by side or possibly in the same tank?

ritter6788 · Dec 4, 2012

I look at damsels like this,

Once an order is established the dominant ones will chase any lesser damsels. The more damsels there are the more likely for a lesser damsel to be stressed. If there are enough places to hide and the fish are all healthy then it's mostly just chasing. Damsels are very fast and elusive an won't stay there and take a beating like some fish will. Your pair of Azures will likely chase the Starcki away since it's the newcomer but if the fish is healthy it will likely find it's "routine" and stay out of harms way. I had a 40 breeder with every blue/yellow damsel possible except the Starcki but only because I couldn't find one for sale. With a tank your size I personally would take the risk if I wanted but not more than 1. That's just me though.

MarvinsReef · Dec 4, 2012

ritter6788 said:
I look at damsels like this,

Once an order is established the dominant ones will chase any lesser damsels. The more damsels there are the more likely for a lesser damsel to be stressed. If there are enough places to hide and the fish are all healthy then it's mostly just chasing. Damsels are very fast and elusive an won't stay there and take a beating like some fish will. Your pair of Azures will likely chase the Starcki away since it's the newcomer but if the fish is healthy it will likely find it's "routine" and stay out of harms way. I had a 40 breeder with every blue/yellow damsel possible except the Starcki but only because I couldn't find one for sale. With a tank your size I personally would take the risk if I wanted but not more than 1. That's just me though.

thanks man. reminds me of my clowns. :wink:

if I do find one locally, I'll condition him in my son's tank and get him fat and happy.. just in case there's a scuffle with the Azure's. I really like the Starcki's get to 3". should be a bright addition, if I ever find one. LoL.

ritter6788 · Dec 4, 2012

MarvinsReef said:
the Starcki is more purple than blue like the Azure from the pics and vids I've seen. I've never seen a Starcki in person though so I'm not really sure. anyone seen both the Starcki and Azure side by side or possibly in the same tank?

Every different species of blue damsel I had was a different shade of blue than the others. Some have a metallic color and some just blue but despite pictures on the internet everyone was a different shade of blue.

MarvinsReef · Dec 4, 2012

ritter6788 said:
Every different species of blue damsel I had was a different shade of blue than the others. Some have a metallic color and some just blue but despite pictures on the internet everyone was a different shade of blue.

cool. good to know Gabe. I'm looking for blue's since the dominant colors in my tank are the clowns and RBTA's. I'm actually missing green too but that's okay. dunno if you can count the pair of Mandarins I have as green, since they mostly stay by the sand and close to the rockwork.

was thinking some blue/green chromis but that's just too much bio load already if I pick up a bunch. I think only one blue/green chromis would look out of place in the tank. LoL

stunreefer · Dec 4, 2012

Starcki's are a great, underated fish. I had one for around three years, and he did co-exist with my Majestic for a while. I ended up trading him in when I started keeping other Centropyge.

He didn't chase any tank mates, but there were no other damsels.

MarvinsReef · Dec 4, 2012

Austin, was waiting for yah to chime in. I knew you had one for a while. thanks for the input.

MarvinsReef · Dec 6, 2012

Bump...

Are these seasonal fish? You don't see them very often. I haven't seen one in person as none of my LFS has gotten any ever, and I have a few good LFS that I frequent.

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