In passionate defense of damsels...

[Sk8r]

Jarrod, I don't have a clue on that species breeding or remotely how to sex a damsel; but I know a lot will depend on tank size and overall crowding. If a fish of a certain species feels easy and sees plenty-of-room, it may pair; if it feels there's just enough room for one, it will fight to the death.

 

[Sanlynn]

No fan of damsels

No fan of damsels

I am no longer a fan of damsels since they are so mean to each other. I wanted fish that would "school" in my 150 gallon reef tank. Chromis veridis were recommended and we, two days ago, introduced seven to our tank.

One may have been damaged by me in the transfer and died the same night it was introduced. So six were swimming together, seemingly peaceably. The very next day I see only five swimming together and notice the sixth doing head spins in the tank elsewhere. Now dead. So, now I see only four swimming together while a fifth is cowering elsewhere in the tank...:fun5:

Ugh! I hate watching this winnowing down. No more damsels for me!
Sandy Lynn

 

[Angel*Fish]

I am no longer a fan of damsels since they are so mean to each other. I wanted fish that would "school" in my 150 gallon reef tank. Chromis veridis were recommended and we, two days ago, introduced seven to our tank.

One may have been damaged by me in the transfer and died the same night it was introduced. So six were swimming together, seemingly peaceably. The very next day I see only five swimming together and notice the sixth doing head spins in the tank elsewhere. Now dead. So, now I see only four swimming together while a fifth is cowering elsewhere in the tank...:fun5:

Ugh! I hate watching this winnowing down. No more damsels for me!
Sandy Lynn

Sandy, I'm sorry that happened to you. It's happened to a lot of us, including myself. Just a suggestion for future purchases --there's a lot you can find out about fish experience by researching here on RC first. There are tons of threads about this chromis whittling down to one thing. I'm not criticizing you, just trying to help for next time.

There are books out there that will tell you to buy them in groups of 6 or more and that's a shame since so few seem to have success. On another thread there were people suggesting that it may work it you feed them 3-4 times a day. I don't know if they're on to anything or not, but most of us don't have time for that.

I don't remember if any had long term success with that - as in years.

If possible, you might give it a try and see if it helps. Good luck

 

[tcmfish]

But Sandy you should have known they would do that...

Damsels are great fish if you know about them.

Also, Noobeef, as your tomato grows, he will be the boss. Or if you ever pair your tomato and as they mature they start to spawn, watch out. Tomato's are up there with maroons on the aggressive chart.

Few fish rival the color of a starcki. Orange tail blue devils are awesome! And some of the regional variations of Chrysiptera sp. are amazing.

I think many of the attacks of damsels are because of the aquarist and not the fish. If you have an established damsel, adding a newly imported fish that maybe smaller and weaker than the damsel will usually result in favor of the damsel. But if you beef up the new fish first and use an acclimation container I bet things would go much smoother. (Like the sixline posted about above, because sixlines are usually pretty dominant)

Also, it seems many people hate territorial fish because of firefish. Firefish are not aggressive at all and can't hold their own. Sure an orchid dottyback or damsel will have its way with them.

In no way am I picking on you Noobeef, just you brought up some of the things that I often wonder about.

 

[Sanlynn]

No offense taken...I had done a lot of research, including speaking to other reefkeepers whose advice I was taking. I also immediately began feeding generously - and they are good eaters, taking small pellets (Spectrum) as well as baby brine shrimp and mysis shrimp. Unfortunately, for whatever reason - and you would think a 150g would be big enough to accommodate - this just isn't working.

It's not just the money spent and wasted (they were inexpensive as far as marine fish go at $7.99 each) but feeling bad as being caretaker.

Sandy Lynn

 

[Angel*Fish]

No offense taken...I had done a lot of research, including speaking to other reefkeepers whose advice I was taking. I also immediately began feeding generously - and they are good eaters, taking small pellets (Spectrum) as well as baby brine shrimp and mysis shrimp. Unfortunately, for whatever reason - and you would think a 150g would be big enough to accommodate - this just isn't working.

It's not just the money spent and wasted (they were inexpensive as far as marine fish go at $7.99 each) but feeling bad as being caretaker.

Sandy Lynn

It breaks your heart to see the one being picked on decline and then die. Then the next. Every time I see someone recommending this, it just makes me cringe. There seem to be a few people who've had success, but as far as I can tell none long term. Ime, usually when questioned it's not been more than 6-8 months, if that. If someone has a photo of a group of 5+ mature Chromis getting along and schooling together, I'd love to see it.

 

[Norberg]

I know every body's tired of my pushing the C. hemicyanea's but their maximum size is 2.4 inches. A desirable trait in a damsel imho.

I can also recomend the C. hemicyanea, very colourful, active and reefsafe fish. If kept in a group the only minde their own business. Well almost, mine have some issues with my lawnmower blenny (salarias), but not to bad.
They also helped me when i got my new anthias. They work great as ditter fish. Since i got my anthias they have been out swiming 100 % of the time the lights has been on. Earlier anthias has alwas been hiding for some time in the beginning.
They also spawn all the time in the tank.

I can higly recomend this fish for everyone!

 

[Sanlynn]

Update on my damsels

Update on my damsels

Thought I would update my post concerning winnowing down of my damsel "school." As I stated, we started with seven small chromis veridis and within a short time were down to five - and the fifth fish was cowering in a corner away from the group.

A few days later the "cowering" damsel rejoined the group and so far the five of them are schooling. They rush to the food as soon as I put it into the tank and rush around "sniffing" particles to see if they like them. They don't seem to be bothering other fish, despite their quickly darting behavior, but the Bartletts Anthias seem to love darting amidst them, breaking up their swimming pattern.

Overall, it's pretty amusing watching them. Hope it keeps up.