Damsels

[jfbhd4]

Are they as bad as I have read?
I want to get some smaller/cheaper fish so there is some more action/color in my tank. Will damsels stress or kill some of my fish?

Here is what I will have in the tank if I decide to get damsels.
2 clowns, 3 chromis, dragon goby, royal gramma, powder brown tang, foxface.

Thanks for the help

 

[hagfish]

They can be pretty mean. I have two in the same tank. One is not mean at all and the other one is a bully, but only to newbie's. Neither has killed a fish that I know of. There are some damsels that are only mildy aggressive, probably less so than many clowns.

Keep in mind that 5 of your fish are basically damsels (the 2 clowns and the 3 chromis). They are typically a little nicer than damsels, but not always.

I think they are great to add a little color on the cheap. Really the color of just a regular blue damsel is better than a whole lot of more respected fish. But I would keep an eye out for some of the slightly more rare damsels that have some cool patterns and unusual colors on their tail or fins. My dad and I each have a figi damsel that has a bright yellow top fin and a yellow belly with some black designs in his blue body. Dad also has a blue with a bright orange tail and some really cool black designs in his face and body. Those were still only $10 each and they look much better IMO.

 

[Ocicat]

Aren't the orangetails one of the less-aggressive species? They're on my list of possibilities for my tank.

If you are attracted by a particular damsel's coloration, I'd research them first to make sure they keep that color. Some of the meaner ones are gorgeous as juveniles and turn drab gray/brown as adults - ugly AND nasty!