Are Blue (Devil) Damsels *That* Bad?

[SoloChromis]

I know, I know, everyone hates them, everyone regrets adding them, yeah, yeah. But are they REALLY as horrible as people say they are? I'm considering adding a male blue damsel (w/orange tail) to my 75g macro algae tank where I also plan on housing a YLB, longnose hawk, 2x orange skunk clowns, bleeker's damsel, and cherub angel. Is this going to be an unwise investment (he has over a month in quarantine to prove he's a respectable member of society)?

 

[Betta132]

Yellowtail blue devils, yes. Yellowtail damsels, no. A yellowtail damsel stays under 2", and can be identified by a bright yellow tail. The yellow extends slightly onto the body, but not onto the fish's belly. Add one last, and you'll be fine. They defend territory and puff at things, but they aren't horribly aggressive unless you add something tiny after them. Plus, they're cowards.

 

[SoloChromis]

Yellowtail blue devils, yes. Yellowtail damsels, no. A yellowtail damsel stays under 2", and can be identified by a bright yellow tail. The yellow extends slightly onto the body, but not onto the fish's belly. Add one last, and you'll be fine. They defend territory and puff at things, but they aren't horribly aggressive unless you add something tiny after them. Plus, they're cowards.

To my understanding yellowtail and yellowtail blue damsels are synonymous for Chrysiptera parasema, which are very similar to azure damsels, which I have never had any trouble with. I'm asking about the very common blue/blue devil damsel (Chrysiptera cyanea).

 

[eatbreakfast]

They are similar in temperament to other Chrysiptera species, not bad for a damsel, but will defend their territory from others. I havent had an issue with them in a mixed reef, but wouldnt keep them with docile tanmmates.

 

[MIKE NY]

The Cyanea Blue devil is pretty aggressive once established so there maybe a problem with your Bleekers at some point, but in your 120 there should be enough space to coexist. I currently have the Fiji Blue devil, Chrysiptera Taupou, in my 170 and it thinks the whole tank is it territory sometimes chasing newbies and other damsels.

 

[Betta132]

The key words are 'belly' and 'devil', in regards to blue damsels. From what I've seen, the yellow-belly devils, AKA yellowtail devils, are very mean. However, somebody could be calling a yellowtail blue a yellowtail devil. You'd have to see the fish to be sure.
Common names suck sometimes.

 

[SoloChromis]

The Cyanea Blue devil is pretty aggressive once established so there maybe a problem with your Bleekers at some point, but in your 120 there should be enough space to coexist. I currently have the Fiji Blue devil, Chrysiptera Taupou, in my 170 and it thinks the whole tank is it territory sometimes chasing newbies and other damsels.

The bleeker's is actually going into the 75g (he's in quarantine, but will be the first residential fish in the 75g, which is currently holding the fish from the 120g). The male blue damsel would be headed there as well, as this tank's community will be a bit more "moody" than in the 120. Thanks for the feedback, I was actually considering a fiji devil

 

[moriarty]

I think that Chrysiptera cyanea can be a great fish when added in the right order to a system of adequate size with appropriate tank mates. Unfortunately, most are not, which I believe leads to them getting a bad rap. A lot of these are purchased on impulse as a pretty fish to fill out/add movement and color to their tank without much consideration being given to their needs, behavior, and compatibility. I think that their low cost has a lot to do with it, as (some, not all) people will spend a lot more time researching a fish that costs hundreds, versus just a few dollars. I personally made this mistake when stocking my first marine tank. I had no clue that adding 6 of these guys as the first fish to my tank was an awful idea, and I really regretted doing so. In my defense, this was some twenty years ago (being 16 and not having much of a budget didn't help matters) and the only resources readily accessible at the time were a few publications, personal experience, and the advice of employees at the LFS. Having said that, I now keep C. cyanea in most of my systems, and really can't imagine not having them.