New fish?

[Meus]

Hi, right now I have a 29 gallon "reef" tank in the making. I want to get a few more hardy fish. I plan on making the tank a zoa and shroom garden. I have a young coral beauty dwarf angel, and a falco hawkfish. I was thinking about getting one sixline wrasse, and then three-four yellow tailed damsels. Is this too much for my tank to handle or is there something else wrong with my plan. If so please tell me, and if you have any other recommendations feel free to input.

Thank you for your time,

Meus

 

[prickles]

I've never had one, but doesn't everyone say damsels are obnoxious (aggressive)? I would think particularly in a tank that size.

 

[Meus]

And please, no clownfish. I was originally going to add a pair in, but I decided I would rather not spend close to a hundred dollars on them(black, false percular), plus alot of other people have kept them and they just don't seem to make my cut.

 

[Meus]

I've never had one, but doesn't everyone say damsels are obnoxious (aggressive)? I would think particularly in a tank that size.

Yes, but they would be the last to go in. They are aggressive due to their territorial behavior, and if my other fish are completely settled in and healthy they shouldn't be bothered by the damsels. I think my angel is BA enough to defend his turf, and the falco gets along well with the angel. Plus, angels are grazers, falcos and sixlines are primarily benthic predators while YT damsels are planktivorous. This means there will be little(not zero however) competition for food.

(Experts feel free to correct me, this is just the information I have picked up from my readings and exp. with freshwater aquariums)

 

[RT65]

I also think that the damsels will be too much for your tank, IME they are really agressive toward other fish, and I think three to four would really be pushing it in a 29. Personally I like flasher wrasses instead of the six-line.

 

[Meus]

You have a point, I still want more input(not that yours is not appreciated). The reason (again experts) I don't want flasher wrasses, while beautiful, is because I have read that they are often bullied by fish with even barely any territorial tendencies, like, for example, dwarf angels. Plus I hear it is difficult to get them feeding on flakes/pellets as their staple diet.
Thank you for your time, Meus.

 

[Meus]

No more input?

 

[EllieSuz]

I started out with a 29 gallon tank and in my experience you are planning much too much bioload for a tank this size. You could try the Sixline, but no more than one other fish, whether it's a Damsel or something else.

 

[Meus]

Thank you, will do .

 

[Sheol]

No harm in a single yellowtail damsel. Especially if its last in. Mine was a wuss until after the heater accident. As long as he cannot form a territory before the other fish are in the tank, you will be fine. However, don't add more than one in a tank that small!

Matthew

 

[bigdog0598]

Hard in small tanks but i have always like the Arabian pseudo

 

[bigdog0598]

or a yoshi goby and a pistol shrimp..

 

[jaa1456]

I would stay away from the damsels, In the wild they are considered farmers and have a 9 square foot of territory they call ther own. All clowns are not 100 and up false percs cost 10 bucks a piece at my LFS. How about a royal Gramma or a yellow accesor instead of the damsel(s), I would put one of these guys in before the 6 line though. make the 6 line last.

 

[Meus]

I was talking about the tank-bred black clownfish, they cost $55 at my lfs. Shrimp + hawkfish= bad idea. I am not a big fan of grammas, but I like the Arabian pseudo. I have time to think, currently I want to upgrade my lighting and start getting some corals. I will keep your comments in mind and I thank you for your time.

Meus.

 

[BrianD]

The dwarf angel is not a good fit for a 29 gallon tank, especially one "in the making". My first addition would be by subtraction and remove that fish.

 

[BrianD]

PS Clownfish are in the same family as damselfish.

 

[Meus]

Is it because he will get to large? He is eating flakes and I give him a little nori. I have observed his overall health and he appears fine, his belly is round, but not bulging, his eyes are clear, his skin is free of leisons, he is swimming and exploring, his fins are in good health, etc. The "in the making" part is due to the fact that I need to upgrade my lighting, my tank was started on Sept. 5, 2010. He grazes reguarly and gets along well with my falco and he has yet to bother my hitch hiking polyps or feather dusters. I don't have much experience with saltwater aquariums, but I feel he will be fine in my aquarium, plus I like him and removing him because someone else thinks it will not work, will just go against my own thoughts. I appreciate your input and time, however, I will keep him until there is a serious problem in which he has to go. I understand the saltwater enviorment and I am prepared for the worst and hoping for the best.

p.s. I know Damsels and Clowns are in the same family, however YT damsels are the only ones I like.

Happy Reefing, Meus.