Looking to add Yellowtail Damsel to my reef tank - advise please

C

chas41

New member
I have a 20 gallon reef tank, live rock, live sand, hang on back filter. I am new to the hobby, taking it slow and easy - thank is just over 2 months old and everything has gone well thus far.

I have a Cinnamon Clown and a Foxface, 2 soft corals, 7 hermits and some snails. I would like to add another small fish, I was looking at a Yellowtail Damsel. I searched RC and it seems this "should" be ok in terms of getting along with my other fish - any advise/insight is appreciated, hopefully I have provided enough info.

I am new on this forum, this is my first post - please excuse me if this is not posted to the right topic.

Thanks all,

Chas41
 
The foxface is going to get far too big for a 20 gallon tank, so I would suggest you remove it ASAP. Remove it before purchasing any new fish. The foxface even gets larger than people prefer in 75 gallon tanks, so it definantly will not work in a 20 gallon.

I don't have experience with cinnamon clowns specifically, but I think they are one of the more aggressive clowns so as far as a damsel picking on it you should be clear. I worry about the clown picking on the damsel. You may want to get a fiji blue devil damsel instead. If you want something to replace the foxface look into dottybacks, I like the orchid dottyback(Pseudochromis fridmani). Wait for more advice before purchasing the fish I suggested because I am not sure how peaceful the clown is(general for the species).

You should look and read around in the New to the Hobby area.
 
If i can make a recomendation; dont buy a yellow tail! I did and not it has a new home in the sump. It was a really good looking fish when i added 3 to my reef. soon after there was only one and it turned all black, oh and did i mentinon it get really agressive, more agressive that any other damsel i have ever bought. It out grew my sailfin tang and then picked on him until be got too weak to try to eat and dieded. I have that sailfin for around 2 years and within 9 months her was bullied to death. I would strongly think twice about getting one.
 
How big of a tank did you have the damsel and sailfin tang in?

You should look into a look alike of the yellowtail, its called the azure damselfish. If you need to look at it there is a good picture on liveaquaria.com
 
Second that on the Yellow Tail Damsel. I put one in my tank about 1/2" in size; three years later it's a 5" nearly black death machine that is impossible to catch. The only fish more aggressive are my two 6" blue fin Damsels and my 3.5 Tomato Clown. All are extremely aggressive and territorial and past about 2.5" they start to re-landscape and bury anything they don't like. With a 20 gal. tank, stick with a nice pair of percula clown fish and a few gobi's or chromis.
 
Something is not right here. Ive never seen a yellowtail damsel get over 3" or one that could outgrow a sailfin tang.
 
Is this the fish yellow-tailed blue damsel you were planning to add?

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+28+134&pcatid=134

As damsels go they're probably a pretty good choice and this one certainly doesn't turn black and grow over 3" like some of the others mentioned. They do tend to pick out a territory in a tank however and defend it especially against other damselfish. So you definitely would only want one in a tank as small as 20 gallons.

Oh, and I agree with the others who advised that your Foxface will have problems in a tank as small as yours.
 
There a about 4 different species of yellow tail damsels. It's best to post the scientific name or a picture of which one you are asking about.
 
I've owned three yellow tails never turned black on me. Pain in the butt yeah def. aggressive OOH YEAH! Only to anything smaller than them or the same size. It was also almost impossible to get the lil guys out of the tank if their is anything for them to hide in. I remember reading a post someone had on here. If damsels were as large as sharks, sharks would hide in fear!
 
Thanks to all for the input, greatly appreciated.

Sounds to me like a no-go, better-safe-than-sorry situation.

I bought 2 x 20 gallon tanks and assoc equipment, the Foxface and the Cinnamon Clown came with the package. I was told them were both in that 20 gallon for many years together, surely they have grown quite a bit. THe Foxface I would estimate at 6" and I definitely agree it needs a bigger tank. I really love the Foxface, and I felt I should do right by the prev owner and do my best to keep him alive and well. He seems content but no doubt it's cramped for his size. I am planning to build a new tank, though I doubt I can go larger than a 60 gallon. It will be an upgrade, and from what I've read I should shoot for a longer tank vs more volume - suggestions on that appreciated too.

Thanks again everyone :-)
 
I would not keep the clown OR the foxface. Both will outgrow the tank. I certainly would not put a damsel in there. DEFINITELY not a dottyback! They are like a pitbull with fins. (not to say pitbulls are mean or bad.....we know it's the owners fault). If I were in your position, I would look into gobies and shrimp. Also, maybe a cardinal.
 
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