MASSIVE Damsels

[Sitarangi]

My LFS just got a 6" domino Damsel. Im not sure if its a trade in or what, but its big and its really, really, really, really mean. They have it in isolation, but what would you do with such a behemoth? What would you keep it with? Anybody have any pictures of their monster damsels?

 

[reefergeorge]

My lfs has one 4-5" in the not for sale display with a sailfin, queen angel, and some type of wrasse. IMO they are pretty ugly.

 

[humaguy]

My dominoe is around 10 years old and perhaps 4 inches tail to mouth....and very tough...
he was the size of a nickel when I got him....
Mine still has his white spots...there is a Hawaiin damsel that grows quite large and the body become a whiteish/beige with black outlines that resembles a dominoe...might be that and not a dominoe per se...

 

[Recty]

I've never liked damsels, one of the uglier fish imo when they get big.

Cute little buggers when tiny though

 

[LisaD]

I don't have damsels, but I think they can still be cool, when they are huge and duller colored, if not especially pretty. I'd imagine you could keep a damsel like that with an eel, since they inhabit different parts of the tank, and the eel could probably stand up for itself, or at least find plenty of places to hide. Not even my most aggressive fish have ever bothered my zebra moray or Brazilian dragon moray.

Maybe keep it with a more bottom dwelling large aggressive, like one of the big hawkfish or a grouper. I think if you added the damsel last, you could keep it with some of the more assertive wrasses (NOT a harlequin tuskfish), maybe an adult dragon wrasse. And of course, you could try it with triggers, probably one of the Rhinecanthus. I wouldn't want to mix it with fish that are so aggressive that they tank is constantly in turmoil.

One of the reasons I don't keep damsels is that it can be so hard to find compatible tankmates.

BTW, all the suggestions I've made would require at least a 100 gallon tank, preferably a 125 or bigger. With territorial fish, it always helps to give them extra space.

 

[inachu]

http://dearcomputer.nl/gir/?q=domino+Damsel&s=4&b=Rip+Google!

 

[Stuart60611]

Well, I just added my first fish to my 125 FOWLR yesterday -- two yellow tail damsels. Mine are real small. They also are very skidish at the moment. Pretty much hiding all the time. I tried to feed a bit yesterday, but they would not go for it. Hopefully, today they will (going to entice with garlic) and will not grow up to terrors. I have heard that this species is more docile than your typical damsel, but I am sure still a damsel in terms of general disposition. I have housed these before, but they never acted so skidish in the beginning. Usually fairly bold from the start. No other livestock in the tank so I cannot imagine anything bothering them. I am sure they will turn around in a day or so, I hope?

 

[Recty]

Yes, they will get bold quicker than you hope for

 

[faulkincanyon]

had a 5" domino that I bought from the LFS and it nipped at every fish in my tank so I took him back...they get pretty mean the older they get

 

[limitdown]

I absolute hate damsels. I had to drain my 200g just to remove a 1.5inch domino....

 

[Stuart60611]

From what I have read, many of the damsel aggression problems seem to generally involve the more aggressive ones, like dominos, striped, Sgt. major, blue devel, etc. How aggressive are the supposedly more passive of the genus, like yellow tail, azure, etc.

 

[55gSW]

With a domino that size either I'd keep it with triggers, wrasses, etc or I'd keep it alone (or with a mate if possible).
I love damsels...but then I love bold aggressive fish in general! Of all the aggressive saltwater fish I've had or have now (wrasse, trigger, lionfish) this little 3" male damsel (3 stripe) is the only one to come out when my hand is in the tank and actively attack it!! He body slams my hand and makes loud clicking noises of displeasure!!
I've had him and his mate for several years now and neither have lost their color nor their psychotic charm!

 

[natan]

Rather than keeping it alone, i'd leave it alone right were it is
Why, why, WHY would u ever mant to keep THE uglyest and worst tempered fish in the sea? Dont u have better uses for that byoload vacancy?
I wouldn't touch it with a stick, even if i had an entire sea for a tank.