Blue Dansels & Green Chromis compatability

[calabashman]

Not that I'm there yet by a far stretch, but I'm making a plan for the fish I want to add to my tank (24 Gal Aquapod). I'm doing a lot of reading on these forums and fish compatibility and wondering what experience anyone has had by combining a school (s) of both Blue Damsels and Green Chromis. They have slightly different charactoristics but can I assume that they are compatable and would do well together since they are both schooling fish from the Damsel family? If so, and they would be my starter fish, other than my Maroon clown (if she makes it) how many could I put in the tank? Any other fish suggestions for my small tank (except for "get a larger tank") tell my wife please.
You people are great, thanks.

 

[sepulatian]

While damsels are chromis are both labeled "schooling" they are both nippy and very territorial. If you are going to keep them, there should be 6 or more. One will be dominant, one will be picked on. It is just the way these fish are. You don't have room for 6 or more of them. You may want to chose species that are not territorial because you do have limited space.

 

[quaos]

Don't go with damsels. I know you want assurance that you can keep your first fish and don't want to waste a ton of money if for things go south. That was my mentality. Now every fish I get has to be able to hold its own against my territorial yellowtail.
O and I don't have the heart to take him back because he is my first fish. So don't make your first fish a damsel.

 

[calabashman]

Thanks for the advice. So if you had a small tank (24 gal) and a maroon clown how would you populate it besides the usual clean-up crew?

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by calabashman
Thanks for the advice. So if you had a small tank (24 gal) and a maroon clown how would you populate it besides the usual clean-up crew?
Well, Maroons are feisty little guys as well. Keep fish that are not too delicate or shy. Royal Dottybacks are nice, Royal Grammas, Firefish are pretty bold. Sand sifting gobies, scooter blenny (not all at the same time). There are plenty of fish that you would be able to keep.

 

[calabashman]

Originally Posted by sepulatian
Well, Maroons are feisty little guys as well. Keep fish that are not too delicate or shy. Royal Dottybacks are nice, Royal Grammas, Firefish are pretty bold. Sand sifting gobies, scooter blenny (not all at the same time). There are plenty of fish that you would be able to keep.
Thanks, appreciate your advice. More things for me to read about. "R"

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by calabashman
Thanks, appreciate your advice. More things for me to read about. "R"
Anytime

A good reference book on fish is "Marine Fishes" by Scott W. Michael. You will enjoy it. It is page after page of different fish and their needs complete with pics, tank requirements etc.

 

[calabashman]

Thanks, I just purchased "Reef Aquarium Fishes" by Michael that also has the same type of information.

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by calabashman
Thanks, I just purchased "Reef Aquarium Fishes" by Michael that also has the same type of information.
Excellent

 

[seasalt101]

i do have a blue damsel and 4 green chromis i had 5 gc's but 1 of my emeralds got the 5th beatle ( the band the beatles ) they school together nicely but my blue damsel is as of now and has been out of character for what he is actually 1 of my most peaceful fish go figure, but you only have a 24 why not throw in 5-6 fire shrimp some lr and 1 more clown fish same species they will argue a couple of times but given a week or three things should settle down nicely then get an anenome jmo your call i think it would look sweet tobin :happyfish

 

[calabashman]

Thanks for the input. Not a bad idea. Still have time to think about options since my tank is still cycling etc. Richard :notsure:

 

[lauralinn]

I can certainly tell you what NOT to buy....Blue Reef Chromis. I just got three of them a couple weeks ago thru our favorite LFS, and they have all died on me, for no apparent reason. I read later on another aquarium site that they are "very difficult to keep". Keep doing your research...and don't always rely on just one source for info.

By the way, I have recently added green Chromis too...and they are living up to everything I've read about them....they were nice to the blue chromis when added...fiesty eaters, and nicely contrast against the purple live rock.

 

[scrapman]

I have 5 blue/green chromis and one blue yellow tail damsel in a 90 gal. The chromis are great. They swim everywhere. Great show. Not shy, they come up at feeding time.
I'm sorry I got the damsel. never venturing more than 5 in from his hole.... feeding on meager leftover from the other... not fun.... no show... boring...

 

[quaos]

I wouldn't go with maroon clowns. I would go with true or false percs.
As far as fish:
Yellow watchman goby
Barnacle Blenny(a little small but my favorite fish by far)
Firefish are great
Blackcap basslet(they have some territorial issues)
As far as species, seriously consider blennys. They are a wonderful species of fish. They have very good personality and aren't havocs. I have heard some stories though so make sure you do your research.
Maybe check out Midas Blennys or Bicolors. Sailfins are cool too. There are a lot of fish out there.

 

[lauralinn]

Originally Posted by Quaos
I wouldn't go with maroon clowns. I would go with true or false percs.
As far as fish:
Yellow watchman goby
Barnacle Blenny(a little small but my favorite fish by far)
Firefish are great
Blackcap basslet(they have some territorial issues)
As far as species, seriously consider blennys. They are a wonderful species of fish. They have very good personality and aren't havocs. I have heard some stories though so make sure you do your research.
Maybe check out Midas Blennys or Bicolors. Sailfins are cool too. There are a lot of fish out there.

I agree...Blenny's are really great...SO cute. Goby's are nice also...i had a pink/blue shrimp Goby, and he would gulp mouthfuls of live sand and throw it out of his gills...cleaning the detritus...but he jumped out!

 

[curtis1158]

My first four fish were 3 green cromis and a blue reef chromis. I loved the Blue Reef chromis, but is only lasted about a month. One day took sick and then gone. The green chromis have been healthy and growing since. I have been told that the blue reef chrmois and very difficult and will die quickly, which happened to me. The green chromis school, which is nice. I do like the darker green chromis, I see once in awhile, but I'm not adding anymore or replacing my green chromis.
I keep a non aggresive tank so I would, therefore, stay away from any damsel. Pound for pound, very tough, and fiesty fish.

 

[lauralinn]

yep, damsels NOT good. I got a couple of them once. They were cute and pretty...they quickly started picking on everything already established in my tank, got big and ugly. I decided to get rid of them (back to the LFS), and I couldn't catch them! I had to remove the live rock pile, even then they were hard to catch...I learned a good tank lesson that day!