First Fish ?
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kingfisher62
New member
Now is a good time to get a shy fish that you might want so it can acclimate to your tank wih out aggressive fish bothering them.
Get a damsel if you WANT a damsel, not just because they are a hardy easy to keep fish... they can be aggressive, so know about the fish going in... (as with ANY fish you intend to purchase)
I have a mated pair (laying and tending to eggs) of blue and yellow damsels, and they are in the same 60 gallon tank as a pair of clowns. (That makes two pairs or damsels in a kind of small space) They each have their territory, and honestly are great fish to observe.
I have a mated pair (laying and tending to eggs) of blue and yellow damsels, and they are in the same 60 gallon tank as a pair of clowns. (That makes two pairs or damsels in a kind of small space) They each have their territory, and honestly are great fish to observe.
dzfish17
Active member
It really depends on what damsels you are talking about and how big the tank is. If you have a 55g or a 75g you could add a yellowtail or azure damsel and be fine.
It's a 90g and the eventual plan is the normal "mixed" reef that everyone imagines. So with that I want the typical "one of everything" in it. I don't want to have to fish out damsels and of course until I've let the tank age, I don't think I want anything super expensive. I thought about clowns but I've heard that you need to add all of the clowns at once and I know I want at least two in the tank. Would it be safe to add two clowns at once as my first fish (ocillaris) ? What if I want a pair of another species later on ? Will it be safe to add them later ?
What was your first fish ? Would you recommend it to a friend as their first fish ?
What was your first fish ? Would you recommend it to a friend as their first fish ?
dzfish17
Active member
Damsels have a bad reputation around here but if kept in a large enough tank there are some that are not that aggressive. Like I stated above the yellowtail and azure are two of the least aggressive of the damsels. The starki is also a good choice. The damsels are colorful, hardy, inexpensive and can be good additions to a reef tank. I just found a starki and its a beautiful fish. There are alot of reputable aquarists here that have had good luck with certain damsels so there is no need to be so fearful of them.
Clowns don't HAVE to be added at the same time, it just makes things easier. I've heard/read of some putting one in and then adding another later down the line without any major problems. Just wait until the first clown grows a bit and get another clown that's smaller or bigger than the existing one.
I just bought my first clown along with turbo snails and pacific cleaner shrimp (2 of each). Originally planned on 2 clowns but the store only had one that they were willing to sell (the other was still kind of sick so I didn't take it) so I just took the one.
I got a 46 bow front btw
I just bought my first clown along with turbo snails and pacific cleaner shrimp (2 of each). Originally planned on 2 clowns but the store only had one that they were willing to sell (the other was still kind of sick so I didn't take it) so I just took the one.
I got a 46 bow front btw
kingfisher62
New member
Yes, it would be safe and a good idea to put in two clowns at once. Buy them young so they will become a mated pair. Being a part of the damsel family they are an extremely hardy fish.
Fish that I would recommend would be An algae blennie. They are not the most colorful fish but thier personality makes up for it.
When you have a healthy ammount of algae a foxface is a great grazer to keep it in check.
A lot of beautiful tangs out there and you have a large enough tank to house one or two.
Yellow watchman gobies are nice and hardy.
Also there are a lot of beautiful wrasses out there that are reef safe.
I also like Royal granmmas and dottybacks.
Fish that I would recommend would be An algae blennie. They are not the most colorful fish but thier personality makes up for it.
When you have a healthy ammount of algae a foxface is a great grazer to keep it in check.
A lot of beautiful tangs out there and you have a large enough tank to house one or two.
Yellow watchman gobies are nice and hardy.
Also there are a lot of beautiful wrasses out there that are reef safe.
I also like Royal granmmas and dottybacks.
Lynnmw1208
New member
add more timid fish first and then work up to the more active, bold fish. I added my 2 ocellaris clowns first then anthias, then jawfish, and I will work up to an orchid dottyback as my last fish.
kingfisher62
New member
They are beautiful fish, no argument there, but not considered reef safe. Plus they should be in a well established tank.
aragonite55
New member
My first fish was a Royal Gramma, hardy and colourful. Never regretted the purchase.
Gill_bucket
New member
+1 maybe a fire fish? I tried to add a fire fish after a pair of false clowns and they killed it. ;( Their are also some really cool shrimp gobys that would get bullied if added later, like a Yasha or yellow nose banded goby.
Reefing Newbie
New member
I am adding clowns to my tank first, after an 8week fallow period. The damsels that I got with my tank(purchased a complete setup), got ick before they were removed. Anyways, for me clowns go first. They are a juvie pair of course that are in QT and will have been in there for 12 weeks lol. 4 weeks after the clowns added then I am going to work on adding a trio of flasher wrasses. I may flip the order around now that I think about it. But think hardy fish, that aren't overly aggressive or boistrus as that may scare any shy fish you add later.
I added a pair of percula clowns as my first additions. They are doing great. Since then I have added a royal gramma, lawn mower blenny, and purple firefish. All are considered reef safe and have done great thus far. Just some ideas. Usually you want to add your most timid or shy species first. Might want to stick to a hardy species which all the above I mentioned are fairly hardy.
Fish Biscuit
Active member
+1 - shy fish first. If you have a list of what you want & post in the "check your intended fish purposes here" thread, they will confirm what will work & can give you the order of putting the kids in the pool.
