humbug (four stripe) Damsels -

[BigPhatReefer]

Hi,

I currently have 4 very, small, very cute and peaceful damsels in my QT tank.

Following a visit to an out of town LFS with my dad who suggested I needed some shoaling fish to complete the tank... I made a some what "impulse" purchase. Fortunately I always QT things so I have given myself some time to research them.

The main tank is over a year old with the last edition being around 3 months ago.

There is currently zero aggression as territories are well established..

So.. With such a well established tank will I get away with introducing these feisty little fish.. Who in theory will be bottom of the food chain???

I will admit I have my doubts having read previous posts...

What does every one think? Put them in or sell them on?..

Pretty sure I won't catch them again once they are in!


350 litre 48 inch tank
VHO LED
2x Bicolour chromiis
Royal Gramma
regal tang
Copperband
Watchman goby
Fire ball Angel
Various Softs & LPS
Purple tip anemone
Crabs / snails etc

deltec skimmer and fluid reactors

Mag 1450
Cal 450
Alk 10 DKh
Trace N03
Trace Phos
Sal 1.026

 

[DustyReefer]

Some species of damsels are more aggressive than others, so it would depend on which they were. But from my personal experience and others I know personally I wouldn't do it. Most people who put damsels in their tank rarely are happy they did IMO. I'd sell them off and maybe go with a trio of anthias or maybe a wrasse of some sort. Either of those should do well with your current stocking

 

[snorvich]

Unless, of course, those are the only fish you want.

 

[Betta132]

Problem is, you have small ones. They'll grow, and they'll get meaner as they grow. You can chance it, but I wouldn't.
And I doubt you can sell them.

 

[SoloChromis]

I have always had an impractical affinity for the Dascyllus damsels, their shape and coloration is really appealing to me, but I know that the majority become highly aggressive as adults, so I have avoided them, but may some day try one in a frag tank or something where he/she won't have anyone to massacre. I have heard however, that when kept in groups they tend to be less aggressive to the other fish in the tank, and have personally seen it done with some success. Just be watchful and have a trap on hand if things go south. Good luck :beer:

 

[albano]

Get rid of them while you can!

 

[nodak]

I had a pair years ago. They were some of the most aggressive fish I have ever had. I removed them to a small tank of their own.

 

[snorvich]

Get rid of them while you can!

Absolutely.

 

[o2manyfish]

I'm a huge fan of damsels and have over 20 in my tank.... But 3 stripe, 4 spot, Domino -- -Not a chance. While you have them in an easily caught situation, catch them and find them fish only tank with large fish.

Dave

 

[BigPhatReefer]

Ok seems like the tide of opinion is pretty clear.

I've learnt the hard way about aggressive fish having put a yellow tang in to early in the line up and having to pull the tank to bits to catch him.

I'll get them on eBay for 0.99p starting bid, they cost me £20 ($30?) so even if I have to give them away that's cheaper than replacing any of the other fish in the tank, not to mention there's nothing worse than watching your little chunk of paradise turning into a battle ground.

I'll have a think about anthias etc as a more peacefull shoal.

Thanks...

 

[albano]

I'll have a think about anthias etc as a more peacefull shoal.

IMO, you won't have much schooling or shoaling behavior in a 350 l/90 g tank, so choosing fish for that reason may be a waste of time.

 

[Betta132]

Some damsels are nice enough to be attempted. As last additions, you could try some yellowtail damsels... they're only nippy, not truly aggressive, and most of your fish should be able to stand up against a half-dollar-sized nipper. I haven't seen them kept in small fish tanks as schoolers, but a public aquarium near us has about three dozen in their stingray touch tank. They tend to hang around 4 or 5 coral heads, and they don't show aggression towards each other aside from occasional lunges. I'm not sure if they technically shoal or just happen to hang around the same areas.

 

[Whiterabbitrage]

They are so cute as babies, aren't they? Friendly cute and adorable.
But in a few months that will all change.