Yellow tail blue damsels

[chris.francis14]

What is your opinion, do you think a yellow tail blue damsel is reef safe?

 

[dvmsn]

Yes

 

[lurchw00t]

Reef Safe, yes. Mean little devils, yes.

 

[chris.francis14]

How aggressive would they be towards a pair of small clowns and a tail spot blenny?

 

[MadOTC]

I have a pair of them, and they don't really pay any attention to my clowns. Sometimes my wrasse chases them around and sometimes they chase each other but thats pretty much it.

 

[dvmsn]

I also agree that they are low on the DAMSEL aggression scale. I would say ok with that group.

 

[petoonia]

The clowns should be fine, but I would watch the tail spot to make sure it doesnt get bullied. More than likely they will be fine together.

 

[Sheol]

As long as they aren't the only fish in the tank or first in, these guys are great in community tanks. Just that people misunderstand the rules as seen from a Damsel's eyes: I'm here first, ergo tank IS mine. Fish here, I'm new in the neighborhood, need to make friends."
My yellow-tail was an utter pacifist before the heater malfunction. Often picked on. They ARE NOT mean little beasts at all, unless of course, you buy a Blue Devil damsel. Different scenario then! LOL

Matthew

 

[chris.francis14]

So could I have two in my 90, or should I stay with one? What I am trying to get at is, will they be more aggressive in a pair.

 

[hillscp]

Re: Yellow tail blue damsels

I had two in my 40 for 8 years. Now they are in my 125. They're cheap, they're cute, they're reef safe. What's not to love about em? Lol

 

[Jerry W]

Agree with all of the above. I've always kept at least a pair of them. Pretty, interesting little fish. Not overly assertive but will peck at each other every so often. Great color splash and easy to care for.

 

[Sheol]

I think if you introduce them at the same time, you won't have too many issues. They may argue over food and hiding places later, but I don't think they will beat the snot out of each other. These guys are almost polar opposites of Blue Devils.

Matthew

 

[Kahuna Tuna]

I've tried to keep a small group of these on three occasions in my last two tanks and all three times I ended up with a single fish or a mated pair. The last two attempts were in my 180 with a group of five fish and both times I ended up with a pair. My current pair has been together over two years and has been spawning regularly. Pretty mellow for a damsel, they pretty much ignore the other fish except when they get too close to a spawn site and then the female can be very aggressive around the nest. They even ignore my more passive fish like the dartfish and they get along with my percula clowns but my experiment in adding a group of Talbot's damsels ended with disaster as the female killed every one of them. They are an awesome looking and cheap, easy to keep fish and the only real downside is you may be unable to add a smaller passive species after they have become established.

 

[ivang]

I added one to a 60 gallon tank with a pair of tomato clowns. At first the yellow tail seemed to be getting a bit aggressive and the clowns were cowering. After a couple days, the female tomato reasserted her self. Now all are calm and they swim around. They will lunge at each other once in a while but no biting or chasing.

 

[wakeboardgeek]

i've never had a problem with mine. he "tries" to be mean. i say "tries" because he'll nip at me when my hand is the vicinity dealing with coral. the tomato clowns and 6 line chase him around if he gets too adventurous (but no damage ever). doesn't bother the mandarin or any other fish. my tank is SPS dominated but i do have a clam, some zoas and LPS he doesn't bother them.

 

[Sheol]

Any time mine tried overt aggression, he had his yellow tail handed to him! LOL

Matthew