Yellow tail Damsel or Anthias

Justfebreezeit · Mar 23, 2019

Hey all stocking a 75g upgrade atm and looking for opinions. I'm not new to saltwater by any stretch but alss don't have any experience with most of these fish.

Already in are 2 occ. clowns and a tomini tang.

Looking to add a pink streaked wrasse and a possum wrasse (probably white banded)

Now ideally I wanted to add a lyretail trio and call it a wrap but i'm concerned the tank isn't big enough for them. Thoughts on this?

Also if the anthias doesnt sound like a good idea i'm looking at 3 yellow tail damsels. Is this crazy also? I'm worried they would bully the wrasses more than anything.

Any other fish suggestions? I'm not a fan of the chromis or royal gramma.

Thanks!

MombasaLionfish · Mar 23, 2019

I might do the damsels but add them after everything else because they might bully new things and I wouldn't suggest doing more than one because I had two of them but one killed the other.

Justfebreezeit · Mar 23, 2019

MombasaLionfish said:
I might do the damsels but add them after everything else because they might bully new things and I wouldn't suggest doing more than one because I had two of them but one killed the other.

Thanks for the feedback, you put in yellow tails? Or crysiptera sp.?

Angel_Anthias lover · Mar 23, 2019

What about a different anthias species like the dispar which wont grow as big, or blue sapphire damsels which are known to be one of the most peaceful damsels and shouldnt create many problems with wrasses. I have 3 lyretails in a 75 gallon and I feel its almost too small but i dont want to part with them as ive had the male for 3 years, so i would advise agaisnt it in the long run, but it could work.

Justfebreezeit · Mar 23, 2019

Angel_Anthias lover said:
What about a different anthias species like the dispar which wont grow as big, or blue sapphire damsels which are known to be one of the most peaceful damsels and shouldnt create many problems with wrasses. I have 3 lyretails in a 75 gallon and I feel its almost too small but i dont want to part with them as ive had the male for 3 years, so i would advise agaisnt it in the long run, but it could work.

I like the dispar as well, the only reason I was thinking lyretail is because I was reading they are the hardiest. I can definitely feed around 3 times a day so i'm not worried about that. Also i like the resplendent as well.

As far as damsels I was under the impression the yellowtails were among the most peaceful of them as well. Do you have a different experience with them?

4FordFamily · Mar 23, 2019

I’d avoid most damsels, IMO. I’ve always gone back and caught/removed them later to make room for nicer/prettier fish and regretted their addition, personally.

Anthias aren’t my thing because they’re needy with frequent feedings but many other hobbyists really enjoy them.

ca1ore · Mar 23, 2019

Damsels will be a whole lot cheaper, and are much lower maintenance. Chrysiptera damsels are mostly well behaved. Azure’s might be a better choice - even mellower than YT and nicer looking.

Kal93 · Mar 24, 2019

From what I've heard, both lyretails and damsels will slowly kill their counterparts off. Lyretails will all turn male, while damsels will be aggressive as they grow. Maybe do 1 of each?

ca1ore · Mar 24, 2019

I have had a stable population of 60 odd damsels in my tank for over a year.

Angel_Anthias lover · Mar 24, 2019

Justfebreezeit said:
I like the dispar as well, the only reason I was thinking lyretail is because I was reading they are the hardiest. I can definitely feed around 3 times a day so i'm not worried about that. Also i like the resplendent as well.

As far as damsels I was under the impression the yellowtails were among the most peaceful of them as well. Do you have a different experience with them?

Ive never owned either species but from what ive heard and seen at my lfs is that the blue sapphires are much more peaceful conpared to a yellowtail, however the yellow tails are still very peaceful just not as peaceful as the sapphires but it just depends aswell on the individuals you get but both should work just depends on your preference i guess.
As for the anthias lyretails are known to kill each other off(however not in my experience so far so aswell depends on the individuals involved) where as the dispars are less likely to do this and will be better suited to your tank(aswell as the resplendent) just make sure you get healthy feeding ones that youve observed, and you should be good. theres many other fish other than the ones ove suggested so dont feel you have to get them. Hope this helps

OrionN · Mar 24, 2019

Either C. parasema (Yellowtail blue damsel) or C. hemicyanea (Azuer damsel) will do just fine. I got 3 in my 65 gal and they breed constantly. Keep the Yellowtails about 10 years ago and the Azures in it now. Azures are more beautiful.

I had 6 Lyretail in my 320 several years ago. In my case it is the male that died. He would not spend the time to eat but just chasing the females. He would get thinner and died, then the next female would turn male and do the same thing. I think I feed enough (I never have problem with not feeding enough in my tank) They were growing and fat in my tank, but it is the hormone that drove the male to continue to try to have sex until he died. After about 2 years I ended up with one Lyretail. Had him for a few years then he too died. I decided not to replace them. I have automatic feeder that feed 4 times a day and they just eat pellets, frozen once a day.

Retro Reefer · Mar 24, 2019

I have a couple Azuer damsels and they are not nearly as aggressive as most.

Justfebreezeit · Mar 24, 2019

Ok you guys have steered me away from the trio of lyretails. @ca1ore your damsel thread was the main reason I wanted to try some of them!
My plan at the moment is to add 2 azures and to add them last. I'm still a little concerned they will chase a pink streaked and a possum wrasse, but it sounds like they will stick to their own little spots. My tank is heavily filtered with an oversized skimmer and a 10% fuge, and 10% weekly water changes. So I think I'll have room for 1 or 2 more small fish. I'll keep looking and reading for that last spot! Current List to reiterate: 2 occ clowns, tomini tang, Plan to add: Pink streaked wrasse, white banded possum wrasse, 2 azure damsels.

Thanks for all the help everyone. @4FordFamily @Angel_Anthias lover @Retro Reefer @OrionN @Kal93 @MombasaLionfish!