Do yellowtail damsels need to be added all at once?

[Ruffoj926]

I bought 3 yellowtail damsels. When I got home with the bag, I noticed one had its fins torn up already. The store gave me a bad one. He died in my tank within a day. The other two are doing great. However, I'd like to have more than 2. Would it be safe to add maybe 3 more? Or would the existing 2 kill them?

My tank is a 70g reef.
1 yellow tang
3 lyretail anthias

 

[BHD]

I don't think you should add more. I have a 75 gallons tank and I just have two. Each of them control half of the tank. They constant defending their territories. My friend broke down his tank and gave me another yellowtail damsel. I tried to put it in the tank but no success at all. In the end I just gave it to someone else. 70 isn't big enough for more than 2.

 

[pinnatus]

I think they will kill each other off, until you have just 1, or possibly a pair. My Blue Devil was 1 of 8. He is the sole survivor.

 

[jda]

Treat them like clowns - they are practically the same. They will mate/pair up and can really hurt a third in all but the biggest tanks.

 

[Ruffoj926]

Thank you all for the advice so far.

 

[SUP]

I put three yellow tail damsels and one blue damsel in my 75 at one time. The other inhabitants are a purple tang and two ocellaris clowns. They will chase a bit but no fin damage. Each has their own area. I imagine if I added another they would probably attack it.

SUP