damsel species tank question

[Fphipps]

i recently got a 40 breeder and would like to do a damsel only tank with a few inverts. i was looking at sergeant major damsels. will they kill each other off in a tank that size? is there any species i can keep multiples of in that tank?

 

[finksmart]

Allen's Damsel (Pomacentrus alleni). I had 3 in a 40g and they spawned consistently.

 

[SushiGirl]

Sk8r would be the best person here to ask about damsel species tanks.
Seargent Majors get kinda large for a 40B.

 

[Sheol]

I had thought about such a tank. Personally, I would stick with P. chrysipetera the Yellow Tail Damsel. Or maybe an Azure which looks almost the same. You could do Dominos or Humbugs but eventually they would turn on each other ( I meant small ones, babies!)as they get bigger.
Seargent Majors? Too aggressive for this sized tank.

Sincerely,
Matthew

 

[MIKE NY]

I have had a number of species of damsels spawn for me including the Dominos and Humbugs you mentioned and they defend a large nesting area. Your first choices would be better either the Azures or yellow tails or simular species which will defend a much smaller area and aren't as aggressive when not breeding.

 

[A sea K]

+1 for the Azures. Inexpensive, colorful, hardy, stay small and are very laid back for a Damsel. I kept 5 in my 210 at one point and may do them again in the future.
I'm afraid it still might be tough in a 40. Not a lot of space there and they will establish territories possibly make pairs so I would anticipate some losses as they work out their living arrangements.

 

[Sheol]

Those, the Azure & Yellow-tails were my first choice. Very beautiful, mellow (for damsels anyway) fish. My Yellow-tail was the least aggressive fish in my 36 gallon tank until after the heater malfunction. He then thought he owned the place. a fatal error as the fish added afterwards were more than capable of defending themselves. R.I.P little guy..
They are also extremely hardy it & my ocellaris survived that awful disaster with no ill effects.
But in a smaller tank, you may not be able to keep more than one, without some serious aggression occuring between the damsels.

Sincerely,
Matthew