How many damsels in 12 gallon reef?

[Synergy]

I have a 12 gallon reef set up and just want some simple, cheap, colorful fish. So I am looking at damsels. I know they can be aggressive but if its only damsels will it be a problem? Better to get all the same species or different varieties? How many should I get for a 12 gal tank? Run a skimmer, and do weekly 10-15% water changes.

Thank

 

[sdusky]

I would say 3. you can do diffrent species as long as you add them all at the same time.
yes run a skimmer and yes water changes weekly 15-20%.

Or do two clowns (same species).

 

[edwing206]

12 gallons is a pretty small tank, especially for multiple damsels. I'd only have one and another smaller fish and maybe some inverts.

 

[jefathome]

1... bc that is what you will end up with in a few months anyway.

 

[Toddrtrex]

1... bc that is what you will end up with in a few months anyway.

Yep, any more is just going to end up poorly.

 

[Stuart60611]

+1. In my 125, I started out with three yellow tails and now only have one. Damsels usually kill each other off unless paired.

 

[wrott]

I agree w/ ^,
I'd do 5-6 small gobies--different species or a small group. Like green-striped, neon, etc..
They will not kill each other as fast as damsels. Of course it'll cost you ~$120 compared to $25 for 5-6 damsels, but they and you will be much happier. 12g is too small for clowns.

 

[snorvich]

Yep, any more is just going to end up poorly.

Yes it will.

 

[scalowagreef]

1 for sure. It never fails that that's the final number. I have 2 in my 10 gallon now and they weren't paired like the previous 2 (those died in a huge pH drop) and once in a while you'll see the larger one chase the slightly smaller one. I might get lucky...

 

[jonathansruelas]

i agree with all the above, you can try 3 but you'll end up with one.. it may take some months, weeks, or days.. you may get lucky and have them last longer. i had 4 in a 55 and in 5 months was down to 1

 

[dmarkham]

I agree w/ ^,
I'd do 5-6 small gobies--different species or a small group. Like green-striped, neon, etc..
They will not kill each other as fast as damsels. Of course it'll cost you ~$120 compared to $25 for 5-6 damsels, but they and you will be much happier. 12g is too small for clowns.

I agree. I think he could get away with one clown and a wrasse. 12 gallons is small. Two clowns is on the edge. About 1 to 2 fish is all that you can get in a tank that size. As wrott said you could always go with the nano gobies but they cost more.

 

[Costa reefing]

As said by everyone else, damsels will just kill each other. You may get lucky and end up with a pair.

A pair of clowns and a nano goby would do fine in a tank that size. With all the choices out there for designer clowns im sure you will find something you like.

The tank is too small for a wrasse, they like bigger tanks to swim around

 

[jaa1456]

A damsel in the wild normaly keeps a 3' x3' area that they garden and defend from other fish. A 12 gallon is a mere fraction of that. Like they said above try some small gobies or even firefish. maybe a dwarf hawkfish, They only get about 3/4 of an inch

 

[duncaholic]

My cousin kept 30+ and a wrasee and 2 clowns in a 125 ooh and a snowflake eel. He's not very bright(hope he's not reading this, but if you are, you know I'm riight). As of today, he's still got the two clowns and about 4-5 damsels.

 

[Grebex11]

I have an ocellaris, yellow clown goby, and high-fin red banded goby in a 10g for months and I probably overfeed a little... and my nitrates are at 0. Just a thought to share. Oh, and I do not have a sump or a skimmer

 

[Grebex11]

I do however do a 2 gallon water change every week to every 1.5 weeks. Which I'm sure is why I am having success. I have also have no problem keeping SPS/LPS/softies in it either.

 

[rancoo]

I have a 12 gallon reef set up and just want some simple, cheap, colorful fish. So I am looking at damsels. I know they can be aggressive but if its only damsels will it be a problem? Better to get all the same species or different varieties? How many should I get for a 12 gal tank? Run a skimmer, and do weekly 10-15% water changes.

Thank

I have a 10 gallon quarantine tank that has a blue velvet damsel and domino damsel and constantly fight and nip at each other. The other thing about damsels, some of them get really big so they will easily outgrow the 12 gallon. I woudn't mess with damsels, i hate mine that's why they are in the small tank. 2 percula would be good for a tank that small

 

[skanderson]

i would say zero would be better than 1. if you put one in especially one of the more aggressive damsels then you may have trouble with almost any other fish in with it. lots of nice active peaceful small fish that you can get for a tank that size.

 

[mcdonaldjosh7]

12 gallon? Depends how much work you'll put into it. If you are willing to do water changes at least once a week, go for 3. If you don't think you can, make it only 1 or so.

But I would reccomend yellow tail damsels, if I had to put one in my tank, thats what I would go for.