New O.S., can damsels stay?

[3Tripnip]

Hey!

I've got a 10 gallon tank set up for an O.S., which I will be picking up from my LFS this weekend. I have 4 damsels in the tank which have helped the past month with cycling. My question is, can they stay in there without the mantis messing with them? I have another tank that the damsels can go in to, but it'd be cool if they could stay in this tank. Please let me know what you think. Thanks in advance!

-Ben

 

[biomekanic]

Sure, by the time the OS is done, there's no mess left.

 

[KRussell]

I have kept several damsels with my OS to act as a food buffer. I have never had one last more than a couple of weeks. On the last one she totally tore apart the rock work (I assume to eliminate hiding places) and then rebuilt it after she got the damsel. Leave them in if you are okay with them becoming food.