Would you add a damsel or a chromis?

[Neptune 555]

Ok the fun part of reef keeping...

I have a 3 foot bowfront reef tank running constantly for 16 years! Razor LEDs / HOB skimmer / powerheads / 3 inch sand bed / 40 pounds live rock

Inhabitants:
flameback pygmy angelfish (baby in QT now)
BTA w Ocellaris clown
Starry Blenny (Qt now)
clown goby green (QT now)
cleaner shrimp
fire shrimp
electric blue crabs

I would like to add one more fish to complete the tank...
After these fish enter DT I will QT my next fish...

Would you choose a Blue Reef Chromis or a blue damsel?
The blue damsel is more aggressive but that may be needed with the other fish in the tank? The blue reef chromis is a shoaling fish so they recommend a group and I don't have space for that? I prefer the blue reef chromis as it is peaceful... but will one work or will the pygmy angel terrorize it?

thanks!
Neptune

 

[Greybeard]

No... I wouldn't. Don't like chromis, and I firmly believe that blue (devil) damsels are, pound for pound, the meanest fish in the ocean.

But, that's just a personal opinion.

I can't see any reason, beyond my dislike, not to add a chromis. They're perfectly acceptable reef friendly fish.

Back in the day, before everyone was worried about being cruel, we used to use blue (devil) damsels to cycle a new tank. They're cheap, and hardy. Unfortunately, they're hardy enough that they'd sometimes survive the cycle, and you'd end up with one in your new tank. They will pick on other critters. I've had 'em kill shrimp and clams outright. I've also seen them stress other fish enough to end up with a disease outbreak. I'll never buy another one.

 

[heathlindner25]

No... I wouldn't. Don't like chromis, and I firmly believe that blue (devil) damsels are, pound for pound, the meanest fish in the ocean.

But, that's just a personal opinion.

I can't see any reason, beyond my dislike, not to add a chromis. They're perfectly acceptable reef friendly fish.

Back in the day, before everyone was worried about being cruel, we used to use blue (devil) damsels to cycle a new tank. They're cheap, and hardy. Unfortunately, they're hardy enough that they'd sometimes survive the cycle, and you'd end up with one in your new tank. They will pick on other critters. I've had 'em kill shrimp and clams outright. I've also seen them stress other fish enough to end up with a disease outbreak. I'll never buy another one.

+1 on this..Chromis are ok, damsels are trash fish.

 

[Neptune 555]

Ok thanks! I don't want a mean fish picking on my electric blue legged hermits and shrimps.. I really enjoy them! Not to mention my blenny...

re: the blue reef chromis.. it will be OK if I just add one fish? and not a group of fish?

Neptune

 

[Reefpuck]

re: the blue reef chromis.. it will be OK if I just add one fish? and not a group of fish?

Neptune

Perfectly fine to just have 1 chromis in a tank. The funny thing is I've seen lots of reefers put 5+ chromis in a tank, and end up with only 1 after a year or so. It's because one will become dominant, and start picking fights with the others. Doesn't always happen, but guess it's just their natural instincts.

So in essence, putting 1 chromis in a tank is probably better than 2+.

 

[lifeoffaith]

I'd do neither if I had my way. They are a pain to remove when you want to, and you will get to a point where you may want to. Chromis shouldn't bother anything except other Chromis, so I'd go with that if you must have one.

 

[Spar]

+1 on a single chromis. i started with 10, ended with 1.

however, i have seen several posts that refer to a specific subspecies of chromis that actually get along just fine together... didn't seem to be that much more expensive either. worth asking in the fish subforum what these are called if you want more than 1.

 

[GimpyFin]

I've got a blue reef chromis in my tank and he's a great fish. Started with a trio, but similar to others, I ended up with just one after a bit.

 

[JonezNReef]

No... I wouldn't. Don't like chromis, and I firmly believe that blue (devil) damsels are, pound for pound, the meanest fish in the ocean.

But, that's just a personal opinion.

I can't see any reason, beyond my dislike, not to add a chromis. They're perfectly acceptable reef friendly fish.

Back in the day, before everyone was worried about being cruel, we used to use blue (devil) damsels to cycle a new tank. They're cheap, and hardy. Unfortunately, they're hardy enough that they'd sometimes survive the cycle, and you'd end up with one in your new tank. They will pick on other critters. I've had 'em kill shrimp and clams outright. I've also seen them stress other fish enough to end up with a disease outbreak. I'll never buy another one.

I agree with Greybeard that Damsels are the devil Bobby Bushay