Blue Damsel

[rrrrob]

At the moment, I have a newish 55 gal. fish only tank with a pair of percula clowns, a royal gramma and a coral beauty (plus an emerald crab). I wanted to add a blue damsel and a coral banded shrimp as the final additions but the pet store talked me out of them saying the blue damsels are too aggressive (as well as the banded shrimp).

I've had damels over the years and I don't really remember them being a problem except to newcomers. I REALLY like the all-blue damsels--they make the tank pop imho. One chart I looked at made them look fairly compatible with just about all common salt water fish/inverts. So I guess I am looking for opinions/experiences with them. Same with the banded shrimp--they seem so slow and delicate I find it hard to believe they could grab ahold of a clownfish or gramma or anything larger and I don't recall having a problem with them either.

Also, does this seem like overcrowding (2 clownfish, 1 royal gramma, 1 coral beauty, 1 blue damsel, 1 coral banded shrimp, 1 emerald crab)?

Any input appreciated.

 

[Reefing102]

I don’t feel you’re overcrowded.

As for blue damsels, if you’re talking about the Fiji blue devil, my experience with them is they just don’t like anyone. Yellow tail and azure damsels seem to be more mellow by comparison and may be okay as a final addition.

 

[Reefing102]

Also I’ve only seen aggression with coral banded shrimp when they’re underfed. I have seen them grab slower moving fish before.

 

[griss]

I agree with Shane. I think you’re safe adding both. I have a Fiji Blue Devil that was an impulse buy because he was on sale for $5. The first several months he was very aggressive but, has since settled in and will only pester new fish for a short while.

 

[HumbleFish]

Sapphire/Springeri Damsels aren't as aggressive, and are useful if you ever get flatworms in the tank.