Okay, so I may have been naive, but more than one source I consulted said that Yellowtail/Blue damsels could be kept in groups ("one of the least aggressive damsels...")... Anyway, I like groups of similar fish, so I bought three and have them in a 10-gal quarantine tank (probably too small), and one is being hounded mercilessly. I have him cordonned off with egg-crate now, so he's fine. My question: how should I introduce these three to my 54-gal display tank? All at once, or should I let the hounded one go first, followed a few days or a week later by the others? Will the bigger tank make a difference in the way they behave toward each other? These are intended to be the last fish added to the display, by the way (other fish are a six-line wrasse and a pair of tomato clowns). Thanks for your ideas.
Yellowtail Damsel Aggression
- Thread starter apurintun
- Start date
Jerry W
Active member
Three may not be a good number. Often times, two will pair up and you end up with the "odd man out". I had three as well and the other two almost killed him. I put him in a separate tank until he regrouped (torn fins) and then took it back to the lfs. The other two have formed a mated pair and have spawned a couple times. I think go with just a pair, or add two more to offset the aggression.
Billybeau1
Premium Member
The bigger tank may or may not end the aggresion. I put 3 in a 72 gal. one got bullied to death and then damsel #1 ate damsel #2. Ripped his skin right off in front of my wife. She was not happy.
If you still want to try it, I would add all three at the same time. Keep in mind if you need to get one or more out of the display, they are almost impossible to catch.
My advice would be to take two back. If you want schooling fish, chromis may be a better choice.
Good luck
If you still want to try it, I would add all three at the same time. Keep in mind if you need to get one or more out of the display, they are almost impossible to catch.
My advice would be to take two back. If you want schooling fish, chromis may be a better choice.
Good luck
Monkeyfish
Active member
Chromis tend to kill each other off until there is only a single pair left. I have 4 damsels in my 75 and they get along fine. They occasionally chase one another, but it always ends there. I'd get 2 or 3 more and introduce them all simultaneously. If you stick with the 3 then introduce the wimpy one first, but don't be surprised if he gets killed anyway - the other 2 might want to pair up and get rid of any "intruders." There really aren't many true "schooling" fish that will fit into a 54 gallon tank. I know of a type of cardinal fish that schools (the name escapes me) but they look like freshwater painted tetras to me.
Billybeau1
Premium Member
I havent heard that about chromis. Here's a thought. Take the wimpy damsel back and trade him for 2 more. Put them in qt and see how all four react to each other. If no more agression you should be good to go.
Either that or keep the wimpy one and take the other two back.
They are pretty little fish
Either that or keep the wimpy one and take the other two back.
They are pretty little fish
