125 Damsel Fish Tank

[tsunami]

Hi everyone,

I’m interested in doing a damsel fish tank (with one blue bird wrasse). The tank is a 125 with a 20 gallon refugium and lots of live rock. I want to do 5 species with 4 individuals each. I was wondering if this is at all possible because damsel fish are so aggressive? Also, which species would you recommend? Obviously, I want to stick with the less aggressive species that stay around 2 to 3 inches. Thanks for any thoughts.

 

[fishybusiness]

Didnt I talk to you earlier or is this one of those really bizarre coincidences?

 

[tsunami]

U did, but I just wanted some second, 3rd, fourth....opinions. Smile.

 

[showtime305]

I've thought about doing a damsel/anemone tank. I think most damsels are semi-aggressive. The 3 spot damsels seemed to be the most aggressive damsel I've owned.

 

[kevin]

the domino damsels are definately the most aggressive.

 

[showtime305]

kj_yoda wrote: the domino damsels are definately the most aggressive.

That's the name I was thinking about. Hmmmm, I think I should lay off the green bottle for the night.

 

[msnajkowski]

It seems that any Damsel with black is going to be aggressive. That seemed to be the case with me.

 

[stanfill reef]

The best is the the 4 stripe and the golden damsels. Stay away from the domino, they are bad news. We have a golden in our reef tank. He is by far the most aggressive fish in the tank, but actually gets along pretty well with the other fish.

 

[tsunami]

so are ya'll saying that it is not feasible to do a 20 fish damsel tank because they are too aggressive or....?

 

[msnajkowski]

I actually wouldn't be a bad idea. To have a school of small fish would be cool.

 

[vettesarebest]

I think you could easily do this. I have a Yellow Fin Damsel and he isnt too agressive. I have had a bunch of damsels. The Blue Devil and the Domino are very agressive.

 

[tsunami]

Does anyone have a group of damsels in there tank (besides chromis, which are known to be ok in groups)?

 

[kevin]

I doubt you will find many people around here with true damsels in their tanks, especially in groups

 

[mikewyzo]

I have 3 yellow tail blue damsels in a 135g with lots of LR. If you catch them, they are yours. 2 hang out together, the third is banished to the other side of the tank. They aren't aggresive toward others or themselves.

 

[broreefr]

Actually I would guess the number of Damsels in my 360 reef right now to be about 25 or so. At least 12 blue devils 4 gold ones, 4 striped ones, several yellow tailed blue's, and ONE domino I have had for about a year that is close to three inches in diameter (he is pretty mean too). not to mention a small school of blue-green chromis

They all get along fine with very few fights.

 

[tsunami]

Great! I think I'm going to do it. Thanks MikeWyzo, but I think I will have to pass on the fish. I know how hard it can be to catch them. Exspecially with lots of LR.