Which Chrysiptera would you choose?
- Thread starter SDguy
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LemonLemon
New member
c. traceyi!
aquaph8
Love The Fish
Mean little suckers.
Can you quantify that? I know the whole "damsels are mean, they suck" sort of generalization that permeates the hobby
but mean compared to what? I don't keep timid fish like firefish, so I thought they might work in my tank.AquaticFins
Premium Member
Personally, I'm a little more fond of C. hemicyanea's pattern, but that's just an aesthetic decision.
I agree that they're far more placid than most damselfish. I don't have any hesitation (or regrets about) adding either of those two fish to my own reef aquariums.
EDIT: Oh, I forgot C. arnazae - another species worth adding in to your list that also has "that blue."
I agree that they're far more placid than most damselfish. I don't have any hesitation (or regrets about) adding either of those two fish to my own reef aquariums.
EDIT: Oh, I forgot C. arnazae - another species worth adding in to your list that also has "that blue."
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aquaph8
Love The Fish
Can you quantify that? I know the whole "damsels are mean, they suck" sort of generalization that permeates the hobby
I had hemicyanea and he would attack new comers pretty bad. I doubt he would be a problem with larger fish though. I wouldn't rule out some fin nipping though. I found they just protect their space really well, pretty much like a feisty clown fish.
If it's gotta be blue, hemicyanea are my fav's. They're "spunky" and will harass wussy fish (firefish, small gobies, anything dumb enough to back down) but IME they're not a particular problem with other boldish fish. They'll stake out a territory on the rockwork as big as they can get away with (expect ~12" square for a tank with other bold fish) and defend it as best they can... which, against other semiaggressive fish, is not that well. 
Springeri have been popping up a lot more recently and the different blue shading on the flanks of the fish is pretty cool. A fish that is much more appreciated under reef lighting. We have some in at the store I work at now and in a black barebottom tank and live rock they don't stand out very much but I have seen a little larger specimen in a reef and it was pretty eye catching. Gets my vote because it isn't your general mill damsel.
My alltime fav is Chromis retrofasciata, but I don't mind non-neon fish. They stay pretty small, aren't crazy mean, and have cool twitching behaviors. And I like the cream/black contrast.
I haven't kept Chrysiptera starckii, but they're very beautiful, and may be worth trying since your other fish can hold their own...
They stay pretty small, aren't crazy mean, and have cool twitching behaviors. And I like the cream/black contrast.I haven't kept Chrysiptera starckii, but they're very beautiful, and may be worth trying since your other fish can hold their own...
