Orangetail Blue Damselfish (Chrysyptera cyanea)

[elegance coral]

Anyone have experience with this fish? I've had several people tell me that they are not as aggressive as other damsels. I was just checking out David Saxby's reef video, for the millionth time, and noticed he has some of these fish. I'm setting up a 200 gallon DD tank with wrasses, anthias, basslets, and a pair of perculas. The perc's never venture far from their anemone.
Any help would be greatly appreciated
EC

 

[rkaragozler]

I have a mated pair but mine were from Australia, I don't know if that makes a difference, and they are great, I think they seem to be the best out of the damsels. I had every imaginable damsel you can think of, and these guys were the only 2 that made it to my upgrade.

 

[addisonlee25]

That was my first/favorite fish, and still have him to this date. Least aggressive fish in my tank and has not been aggressive to any other fish. He holds his own, but doesn't terrorize like other damsels. Right now he's housed with a group of lyretail anthias, yellow wrasse, pink bar gobie and he gets bossed by the anthias and wrasse.

 

[Chooch1]

I kept one years ago and it was really not too aggressive at all, contrary to their reputation. Mine was a digger though but didn't really cause any problems. Just make sure your live rock structure is stable. Out of caution I would add him last or toward the end and you likely won't have any problems.

 

[Ringens]

Mine isn't aggressive at all. He's been in my tank for years.

 

[elegance coral]

This is amazing to me. Four responses and no bad experiences. Thanks for all the responses. I think I'll have to try a pair. They are beautiful fish. I just always thought they were damsels so they must be nasty. I guess I was wrong.

 

[AquaticFins]

They are definitely not nearly as aggressive as the Dascyllus species, but that does not mean they are a passive fish. Juveniles aren't usually troublemakers, but full grown males can terrorize even a fairly large aquarium.

I think you'd be much happier with Chrysiptera hemicyanea or C. parasema. They stay smaller and tend to be much less territorial as adults, in my experience.

I love damselfish as much as anyone, but I would not personally include C. cyanea in a 200g aquarium, especially with relatively peaceful fish.

 

[Korrine]

I would go with C. parasema myself

 

[rssjsb]

Can you pair them like clownfish by getting a big one and a much smaller one?

 

[AquaticFins]

I have heard of success using that method. The male is larger than the females in Chysiptera species, unlike clownfish. C. cyanea is unusual, with clear sexual dimorphism - males have blue or orange caudal fins (depending on the region) while females have a clear tail fin.

You may want to send a PM to Luis A M if you're interested in breeding them.

I know he's been having great success with Chrysiptera hemicyanea - I think he has a thread about them in the Fish Breeding Forum.

 

[elegance coral]

Thanks for all the help.

They are definitely not nearly as aggressive as the Dascyllus species, but that does not mean they are a passive fish. Juveniles aren't usually troublemakers, but full grown males can terrorize even a fairly large aquarium.

I think you'd be much happier with Chrysiptera hemicyanea or C. parasema. They stay smaller and tend to be much less territorial as adults, in my experience.

I love damselfish as much as anyone, but I would not personally include C. cyanea in a 200g aquarium, especially with relatively peaceful fish.

Well that just stinks.
I googled both of those species and I can't tell them apart???? I'm not the type of hobbyists that will put up with aggressive fish in my tank. Should I just pass on the whole damsel thing all together?

 

[Korrine]

see if this helps

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/chrysiptera.htm

 

[Angel*Fish]

They are definitely not nearly as aggressive as the Dascyllus species, but that does not mean they are a passive fish. Juveniles aren't usually troublemakers, but full grown males can terrorize even a fairly large aquarium.

I think you'd be much happier with Chrysiptera hemicyanea or C. parasema. They stay smaller and tend to be much less territorial as adults, in my experience.

I love damselfish as much as anyone, but I would not personally include C. cyanea in a 200g aquarium, especially with relatively peaceful fish.

x2

 

[Big E]

I had Chrysiptera taupou with anthias & he was never a problem. I've never seen a picture that does this fish justice. The yellow & blue just pop.