I have a 45 gallon Red Sea tank that has been up and running for a few months now (fully cycled). I want to add fish that will remain smaller, but bring nice color and activity to the tank. I've never had a damselfish other than a clownfish, but I always hear that they are all a**holes. I've read this species is less aggressive, any input is appreciated. Also, I'd like to add three of them, if I chose this species. Any input on that as well is great.
Yellowtail Damselfish
- Thread starter zak.payne
- Start date
jphayes921
New member
I just picked on up the other day. Gets along with my Chromis and Clown.
jphayes921
New member
Pic for reference.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
They are definitely quieter than dascyllus. Be sure you get yellowtails. The azures look very similar, but can be a little pushier. However, most clownfish can hold their own. If you add 3, they MAY end up one: they adjust their own numbers to fit the tank. Possibly they'll be fine. Chromis will usually reduce to 1 in a 50.
nereefpat
New member
I just picked on up the other day. Gets along with my Chromis and Clown.
...not a yellowtail damsel.
Three of these easy going damsels may work out.
Will there be any other fishes?
jphayes921
New member
I intend on doing additional fish, although that list is TBD. I'd probably do some sort of flasher wrasse, and maybe a pair of Bangaii as well.
nereefpat
New member
This is an excellent write-up on damsels by Sk8r: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/blog.php?b=847
I would add the flasher first, then the bangaiis.
Last, go with the damsels. Like mentioned, you may end up with 1-2 instead of 3. You did pick a great species of damsel to try though.
I would add the flasher first, then the bangaiis.
Last, go with the damsels. Like mentioned, you may end up with 1-2 instead of 3. You did pick a great species of damsel to try though.
Alright, I'm going to take the heat for this but I'll update this thread if people are interested in what happens. My plan is to pick up three Yellowtails and add them all to the tank at once. There is a good amount of hiding places, so I hope it keeps the aggression down. I will be adding other fish, most likely "peaceful by nature" fish, and I will see what happens. The tank will definitely not be overcrowded in the end, but I will be adding more things.
jphayes921
New member
Keep us updated, I am interested. Now that I know mine is not a yellow tail this does not matter much, but the Azure Damsel I have is definitely aggressive when he finds a place to hide he likes and does not want any other fish into his spot. He stole the spot from one of my chromis and now at lights out, the chromis hides behind my return.
crawlerman
Member
You really should add your peaceful fish first. Even if the three get along, I doubt they will peacefully accept any newcomers. I would start with the bangaiis, then the wrasse and the damsels last. I have 2 yellow tail damsels in a 180 and they are peaceful except when a new fish is added. I tried to add a leopard wrasse and they went after him every time he came out, he didn't last very long. He hid in the sand and rarely came out then vanished.
Darth_Tater
Member
I have 3 yellowtails in my 40 breeder. Been in there together for 6+ months, probably closer to a year. They rarely even acknowledge each others existence. They all have their own spots they guard pretty closely and don't bother anything else.
I do have a total jerk of a Coral Beauty angel that constantly picks on them. I'm not sure if having one majorly dominant fish is keeping them in their places or if they'll get more aggressive later or if these ones really are just tame.
They are great fish. Always active and out in the open and very nice colors. I highly recommend them and will probably always have a group of them.
I do have a total jerk of a Coral Beauty angel that constantly picks on them. I'm not sure if having one majorly dominant fish is keeping them in their places or if they'll get more aggressive later or if these ones really are just tame.
They are great fish. Always active and out in the open and very nice colors. I highly recommend them and will probably always have a group of them.
PeteStarks
New member
You should not have much of an issue with your current setup, but I would repeat the advice about adding peaceful fish first. Damsels have a habit of picking on pretty much any size fish and you may notice nips here and there. Hell.. my female clown fish constantly attacks my hand when doing maintenance thinking she can beat me.
I've always found and read the opposite. For me the Azure's are calmer than the yellow tails.
