can I mix damsels in my new 55g?

[cufishfan]

Hi all... finally took the plunge to write my first post here. I have a 55 gallon setup with some LR, finally made it through the cycle and added my first 2 fish (adopted yellowtail damsel and ocellaris clown) and then cleaning crew (2 nassarius snails, 2 zebra snails and a peppermint shrimp). Let it all settle and everything adjust to each other, then had my water tested at lfs and ammonia and nitrites are at 0.
I've heard so much conflicting info about damsels (and how mean and awful they are) but I like my little guy (Damzel Washington... get it??

) I'd like to add a few more damsels and would like to know if I should add more Yellowtails (like 3?) or a different type of damsel? My yellowtail isn't aggressive (he's getting bullied by the clown).
Any help is appreciated! Also, what else would you suggest for my tank- I've thought about a royal gramma, banggai cardinal, maybe a neon goby, dwarf angel (eventually)?
Thanks!

 

[jdl]

you already have 2 damsels. Your clown is a damsel.
my suggestion is to get rid of the yellowtail now. Soon as you see a cool fish you want, your little damsel will turn into the devil and your $100 fish will be floating while your $7 fish will have an evil grin.

 

[nitschke65]

Originally Posted by JDL
http:///forum/post/2934103
my suggestion is to get rid of the yellowtail now. Soon as you see a cool fish you want, your little damsel will turn into the devil and your $100 fish will be floating while your $7 fish will have an evil grin.
+1 on JDL's comment. The more stuff you get in that tank, the harder it's going to be to catch that yellowtail. I definitely would not add more!!!!! If you like banggai cardinal's and royal gramma's you don't want a bunch of damsels in the tank nipping at their fins all the time.

 

[chaoticdamsel]

Originally Posted by JDL
http:///forum/post/2934103
you already have 2 damsels. Your clown is a damsel.
Damsels and clownfish are both considered to be in the group of anemone fish, but clowns are not damsels. They belong to a completely different genus.
CUfishfan - I agree that you should get your damsel out and stay away from them in general. Every damsel I have ever owned has been a mean little SOB.

 

[cufishfan]

aww I'm disappointed to hear that [that I should take Damzel back], but not particularly surprised. Any suggestions on a few less terrorizing schooling fish I could get instead?

 

[chaoticdamsel]

Firefish are nice little schooling fish. The only downside is that the are jumpers, so your aquarium would need to have glass tops or something to keep them from going carpet surfing.
Green chromis are schooling fish in the damsel family, but they tend to be a lot less aggressive... most of the time.
Spotted/Pajama Cardinals are also nice in small schools.

 

[cufishfan]

Thanks! I think I'll try green chromis

 

[mantisman51]

I have 2-3 line and 2-blue damsels (since Oct) with my yellow tang, six line wrasse,red spotted hawk, cleaner wrasse(still kicking since July) and a lawnmower blenny. They fight with each other, but totally ignore the other fish. I previously had 2 blue damsels with a couple tangs and never, in year, did they do anything but bicker with each other. I am not doubting peoples experience, since I've read about their aggression alot, but my experience has been that they are peaceful with most and obnoxious with each other. I will change my name to DamselDefender.

 

[cufishfan]

So I got 4 tiny green chromis this weekend

. I left my damsel in, just to see how it goes. There was a bit of lunging and a few nips at first, but they all seem to be settling in nicely. Had several successful feedings, no one's getting harassed and they mostly leave each other alone. Looks like Damzel was more bark than bite (thankfully).
Thanks all for your advice!