Allen's damsels stocking dilemma

natan

New member
Hello everyone, good to be back. It's being a long time… nothing changed in a tank for maybe 4 years, now restocking and have a question. I am eying Allen's damsels for years now. We have juveniles in the LFS from time to time, and they are brilliant. However, I am concerned about adding them to my tank. My concerns are: color changes as they mature-will they become dull and ugly as they grow old? Temperament-will they be compatible? I know they are amongst the mildest damsels, but still damsels and I know I need to be mindful of doing it correctly if at all.
My tank is 180 liter display soft reef + 40l sump
My livestock now is:
1 fridmani pseudochromis
3 percula
1 algae blenny
2 neon goby
5 carberryi anthias in quarantine, looking/feeding OK so far.
I intend to add:
Allen's damsels-a group of 3 or 5, advice will be appreciated on which way to go on this. Just 1 is also OK if that’s all I can safely have.They will be the last fish to go in.
If not, may be green chromis (but I used to have problems with them in the past and don’t rely want to try again) or blue dartfish instead, something blue and scooling.
1 6-line or 4-line wrasse
Advice on the two issues with the Allen's will be greatly appreciated.
 
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I have 3 in my 240g FOWLR. They are very shy, and don't venture far from the rock. As far as I know they don't lose their brilliant color, but can "turn it off" when stressed or otherwise. I'd probably just get 1 in your tank.
 
I have four large Allen's damsels in a 180gal FOWLR with angels and a lipstick tang for nearly a year. Three are brilliantly coloured always, the other one does switch between dull and colourful. These fish are bold, burrow a bit and squabble among themselves without damage occurring, short chases usually. They are always out and the shine of their blue backs is beautiful.
 
I would probably keep only three of the Allen's damsel in a tank your size, especially as you plan on adding the 5 anthias. The damsels in question will squabble more in crowded quarters, but should be fine in your tank, and the ones I had never lost their color - one of my favorites...:)
 
I know this is kinda an old thread, but I am looking at getting 4 or 5 of these for my 180g reef. I am just wanting some more color and movement. Any advice on these fishes? Also, with this order I may purchase some more anthias, not sure yet..

Occupants include:
Blue regal Tang
Yellow Tang
Black Axil Chromis
Flame angle
Lyretail Anthia
Carberryi Anthia
Royal Gamma
2 x Banggai Cardinalfish
Gold Bar clown
One spot rabbitfish

Thanks!
 
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