Yellow tail damsel

Angel_Anthias lover · Jul 11, 2018

Would a yellow tail damsel live peacefully with a yellow clown goby, geometric pygmy Perchlet and rhino blenny. The reason I'd like it is to act as a colourful dither fish for the rhino blenny as he is quite shy . The tank is 30 gallons with large soft coral colonies. Other options for either fish include fire fish but I feel they may be too big for the tank, chrome but I don't like the look of these or blue sapphire damsels but these are quite small and not as colourful as the normal ones, but still an option and may colour up. What do you think. Or am I better to leave it alone

Mr. Limpid · Jul 11, 2018

I assume the yellow clown goby, geometric pygmy Perchlet and rhino blenny are all in the tank already? If so it should be ok, I would make that the last fish to the tank. Damsels are aggressive if you add only 1 it should be fine, but every fish has its own agenda. Good Luck

Halal Hotdog · Jul 11, 2018

I am not personally a fan of almost all damsels, reason being is they get very aggressive with fish their size. Also catching them is very difficult. To answer your question, there should be no major issue if added last.

ca1ore · Jul 11, 2018

To me the YT is more anthias ‘chippy’ than outright aggressive. Get a small one and probably ok.

3mm3 · Jul 11, 2018

ca1ore said:
To me the YT is more anthias ‘chippy’ than outright aggressive. Get a small one and probably ok.

This is my take on them also.
Great little active fish.

GoldeneyeRet · Jul 11, 2018

Agree with ca1ore, but in a 30 g it may be a little too "chippy" to be considered a dither fish.

User1 · Jul 12, 2018

Damsels get a bad rap. Chippy and aggressive I'd say size wise a Six Line Wrasse is more of a major pain in the rear than a yellow tail damsel but that is just my opinion. If you are looking for a Damsel look for those in the Chrysiptera family. Azures, Talbots, Tracy's, etc. They are usually more calm and less chippy but of course your mileage may vary and most of us on the interweb(s) hold the right to be incorrect. But seriously, the Chrysiptera family has some great damsels in them that are very active and add a splash of color and movement.

eatbreakfast · Jul 12, 2018

Agree that it should be fine. YTs aren't terrible as damsels go.

Stigigemla · Jul 13, 2018

The algae eating damsels always establish a feeding territory. Some Pomacentrus feed from algae but not all. One example is moluccensis.
The male plancton eaters establish territories before spawning and then they protect their eggs. I believe most Chrysiptera, maybe all, are plancton feeders.
If you have one in your tank it will probably not try to spawn. They can establish territories if they are fed with high hormone flakes or pellets (Color intensifying food).
If you only buy one take a small but healthy and it will probably be a female.
But there are other species too. Take a look at springeri that often changes its color pattern or talboti that is very beatiful if you have your nose to the tank glass.
Or watch the three color rollandi from Vanuatu. Its a jewel but can be difficult to get.