Farrah Posted April 24, 2004 Share Posted April 24, 2004 Hi there, I have a new setup (a jbj nanocube 12g) that has been stable for a couple weeks now. I currently have a cleanup crew consisting of 6 snails (2 margaritas, 2 trochus, 2 nassarius) and 4 hermits (1 BLH, 1 RLH, and 2 scarlets). I also have a yellow belly damsel, because I wanted to start off with a hardy fish. I had eventually wanted a pair of clowns, but I've gotten quite attached to the little damsel. I think he's absolutely beautiful (electric blue with a yellow belly... what more could you ask for?) and I love his personality. He is never shy, always comes to the front of the tank and stares at me when I'm looking in, and I love to watch him. I know they can be quite territorial, so I wanted to ask those of you that have had experience with them. Is there any other fish that I can add to the tank? (I also plan on adding a cleaner shrimp and feather dusters in the immediate future and corals soon after that) Link to comment
nano_mtl Posted April 24, 2004 Share Posted April 24, 2004 Hi Unfortunately you will have to make a choice, new clowns or keep damsel. I also have nano-cube, LR, LS & cleanup crew with the same damsel. I decided on 2 clowns, hoping the damsel wouldn't be too territorial, but it was just too crowded in there. The damsel was always bullying the smaller of the 2 clowns. Finally, I brought the damsel back to my LFS. The clowns are doing great and they are very friendly; they always come to the front when I get close to the tank. Good luck! Link to comment
Aiptasia Posted April 24, 2004 Share Posted April 24, 2004 Damselfish used to be known as blue devil fish at one time in the pet trade. They've even been known to bully divers diving on reefs in the wild. Once they become established in a tank and have carved out a territory, they will bully any fish that comes near them. Real estate is serious business when you're a little fish on a reef. Link to comment
pos_user Posted April 25, 2004 Share Posted April 25, 2004 take it from me, and listen to everyone on this forum when i say that damsels are very very bad when it comes to other fish in its territory. ESPECIALLY since the damsel has been with the tank and acclimated to its environment and territory. I had 2 damsels at first due to inexperience and thought they were very pretty fish for a small price (black and white striped damsels). i had to take them back in a few days becuase the larger one would not leave the little one alone...it was very upsetting to watch. IMO, damsels should not be sold at any LFS every. They should be kept in the wild where they are most comfortable, and can get a fully mature growth as well. damsels are not good pets. Link to comment
MinibowMatt Posted March 11, 2005 Share Posted March 11, 2005 I hate to pull up an old thread but If I add a yellow belly damsel and a small clown at the same time is there a good chance the damsel wont become as territorial? Link to comment
Farrah Posted March 11, 2005 Author Share Posted March 11, 2005 Hmmm... I dunno. I've heard of a couple of ppl having success doing that. In fact, I have a friend with a 12g eclipse that has two different damsels (a yellow tailed and a striped) along with a maroon clown and I beleive a psuedochromis. Somehow they all live harmony. I tried to get add a pseudochromis to mine at nighttime. The guy an my LFS told me that the pseudochromis would be able to hold his own. My damsel beat the crap out of him, though, and I had to take the pseudochromis back. Now my damsel is king of his own tank. I like him too much to get rid of him, even if he doesn't play well with others. My solution? I gotta get a new tank so I can have more fish Link to comment
jamesr Posted March 11, 2005 Share Posted March 11, 2005 hi ok so it seems damsels are bad but the lfs has a 30g with 5 pure blue damsels 2 domino damsels and 2 of a diffrent typ and some scooter blenny and they didient seem to fight? Link to comment
drg0nzo1 Posted March 11, 2005 Share Posted March 11, 2005 MattC, just make sure the clown is bigger than your damsel, but it won't be long before they start getting about the same size and they may fight. I wouldn't worry about the clown losing though. Link to comment
Jenn Posted March 12, 2005 Share Posted March 12, 2005 My Blue Damsel and Percula Clown were friends... Seriously, they hung out together. The clown would never be more than 3" away from the blue damsel at any point. Both fishes' fins and tails were perfect with no signs of nipping or fray. They were added together, and the only two fish in the tank until I added a yellow tang. The tang was about 4 times the size of them so it wasn't a problem. However, I then added a royal gramma which got picked to death by the damsel. The day I sold the tank with my house, the damsel and perc were still best buddies, and the tang was pretty well ignored. Just an interesting story, I figure. Link to comment
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