Damselfish Experiences?

[SoloChromis]

So I'm one of the few people who actually *likes* damselfish, and I currently have an azure in my 120, and have previously kept a springeri with no issues to speak of. Damselfish are given a bad rap due to the temperament of the most common and affordable species that are oftentimes the first fish people start out with (blue, three/four stripe, domino, bowtie), but there are a large variety of beautiful, hardy and community safe damsels available and Ive been looking at a few species and am wondering if anyone here at RC has anything to say about them. Thanks guys :dance:

- Tracey's Damselfish (Chrysiptera traceyi)

- Tuxedo Damselfish (Chrysiptera tricincta)

- Starcki Damsel (Chrysiptera starcki)

- Rolland's Damselfish (Chrysiptera rollandi)

- Talbot's Damselfish (Chrysiptera talboti)

 

[Irishdolphin]

I have a Rolland's and he is very timid. Not in a bad way though, he is always out and about but there isn't an aggressive bone in his body. All the other fish 'boss' him (clowns, chromis, azure damsel, bicolor angel, Toby puffer, royal gramma, DW goby).

 

[bth tank]

i have a blue velvet in my 65 gallon and hes the calmest fish out of them all and hangs out with my blue and green chromises

 

[Betta132]

Haven't kept those guys, but I'd suggest a yellowtail. Mine is a bit bossy, hits new arrivals in the face with his tail, and will actively chase and attack anything under an inch long, but he's a bit of a coward if the thing in question actually retaliates. Yellowtail damsel gets to about an inch and a half, maybe a bit less, and is one of the more peaceful damsel species. Also, they'll coexist with each other fairly well, with just a bit of chasing and posturing.

 

[eatbreakfast]

The fish on your list are all very well behaved for damselfish. Of the fish you mentioned I have found C. tricinctus to be the the most peaceful. The rest are slightly more.so, but still relatively well behaved.

 

[lhm nole]

I had 2 starkiis great little fish didnt mess with anything would chase each other occasional one stop eating one day and lost it and about a month later the other did the same thing had them for about a year and they were close to 3 inches

 

[danimallaminad]

I have a canary damsel in my 125 reef and he is a very good fish. He will chase my wrasses every now and again but other than that is very nice.

 

[Daniel62]

I have 5 yellowtails in a 125. they all have their little space in the water column

 

[anbosu]

So I'm one of the few people who actually *likes* damselfish, and I currently have an azure in my 120, and have previously kept a springeri with no issues to speak of. Damselfish are given a bad rap due to the temperament of the most common and affordable species that are oftentimes the first fish people start out with (blue, three/four stripe, domino, bowtie), but there are a large variety of beautiful, hardy and community safe damsels available and Ive been looking at a few species and am wondering if anyone here at RC has anything to say about them. Thanks guys :dance:

- Tracey's Damselfish (Chrysiptera traceyi)

- Tuxedo Damselfish (Chrysiptera tricincta)

- Starcki Damsel (Chrysiptera starcki)

- Rolland's Damselfish (Chrysiptera rollandi)

- Talbot's Damselfish (Chrysiptera talboti)

I have most of those in my 360. They can be a little hard to source healthy specimens, but they are all great fish and should coexist in reasonable numbers in a 120.