which damsels will school?

[marcrunner]

Thinking about getting a small school of damsels for my tank. I have one damsel already, a blue devil damsel. I would be happy to get maybe 4 more. I just wanted to see if anyone had kept them together succesfully. I not these, is their another kind, besides the blue green chromis that you can reccommend? thanx

 

[reefman8471]

Damsel

Damsel

I think that the Yellow-tail Damsels can be kept in groups but they won't school like the chromis will. There are also Blue Chromis, Purple Chromis and many others.

James

 

[EdKruzel]

No species kept will school in captivity, schooling is used for protection by numbers, once there are no longer threats, then the need to school dimmineshes. Add a bunch of damsels or chromis and eventually you'll end up with a pair if your lucky but probably just one.

The are plenty of fish that create a harem (one male and several females) such as Fairy Wrasse, Flasher Wrasse and Anthias.

 

[d.culloch]

I have 3 yellow tailed damsels, they do not school but they do display to each other in two's and occassionally all three will display mid water. They also change their colours from very dark blue to almost pure white. I find them fascinating to watch and they are always on the move. Well worth having in the tank.

 

[marcrunner]

Culloch, i think that you are lucky and are the exception. From what I have read, Ed has got right. I want to try this, but since I am at a point wher my tank's inhabitants are in harmony, i might just leave well enough alone.

 

[marcrunner]

Ed, i also like the idea of a harem, but I would need a group of fish that are pretty aggressive so they don't get picked on by the current livestock. This is why I was researching Damsels- they are scrappy. Are there any other fish that would not be bothered by a puffer, wrasse, tusk and angel?

 

[d.culloch]

I suppose I am lucky but my tank is set up for blue tailed damsels and the neon w
s a late introduction, which probably explains why they display in the way that they do as there is no other fish to worry them, the neon has been known to join in on occassions. Good luck with your search.