Damsel behavior?

[20galsw]

Hi,
I recently bought a 20 gallon Long aquarium(PetSupermarket for $27.99). I added 20lb Florida Crushed Coral, 20 gallons of Pre-Mixed saltwater, and a Hagen Aquaclear 200.
I then bought 3 Damsels to cycle the tank. A 3 Spot Domino, 3 Stripe, and Yellowtail. When I got them home, I realized that I stupidly had not bought a heater, and the water temp was 68 degrees after acclimating them. All 3 fish seemed to swim very slowly around the bottom of the water, and weren't active at all. This was at about 8:50pm. I ran around everywhere trying to find one, till finally Wal-Mart had a Tetra(Freshwater brand) 100 watt heater. 2 hours later I hooked it up, and by the next morning the temp was up to 79 degrees. 3 hours later I walked in and noticed the heater wasnt turning on and off every minute or so like it was before. Checked the temp and it was down to 74(I'm guessing the thermostat had already froze in this heater). Back to Wal-Mart I went to return it. I then went to my LFS, and bought a Visi-Therm 100 watt(much better). Set it to 78 degrees, and it seems to be maintaining 75 degrees in the tank at that setting(although I have no cover on my aquarium).
Anyway, i guess I had to tell that story for a few minutes. My questions are:
1. Could that low of a temperature have harmed the fish?
2. Since the temperature finally stabilized, Each Damsel seems to have picked its own spot in the rear of my aquarium. One stays in each rear corner, and the other stays in the middle where i have the heater suction-cupped to the side. The 3 stripe, and Domino venture out from time to time, however, the Yellowtail is almost always in his little corner, and seems to sit still often. If I go after the yellowtail with the net, it will swim to the other side relatively quickly. Also, the 3 stripe, which is tiny compared to the Yellowtail, will tail-whip, and sometimes dart at the yellowtail if it ventures into it's corner. I have seen the Domino and 3 stripe in the same corner occasionally and they don't bother each other. The yellowtail is actually the biggest fish. Is this normal activity while fish get used to a new home?
Thanks,
-David-
20 Gallon Perfecto Long Aquarium
20lb Florida Crushed Coral
Hagen Aquaclear 200
Maxi-Jet Powerhead
3 Spot Domino, 3 Stripe, and YellowTail Damsels

 

[diddykang]

no the temperature drop probably didnt harm the fish..ich is always a possibility though. As for the fish and their docile behavior that is just due to your tank being brand new. Your tank is cycling now and youe ammonia levels and your trites are gonna be high and that is gonna cause your fish to be very docile. YOu should probably have only cycled the tank with one damsel but too late now. Once your tank cycle is complete 6-8 weeks roughly your levels will be down and your fish will come to life!! good luck!

 

[20galsw]

Hi,
Thanks for making me aware of that, I guess I thought that since Damsels were such hardy fish, they would seem normal. But now that I think about it, there is a huge difference between how they act in my tank, and how they acted in the store. The yellowtail was hardest to catch in the store, and now he swims right into the net. The 3 stripe was the easiest and most docile, now it is the fastest and most agressive of all of them. Go figure.
I just added about 7-8lb of Tonga Slab rock today, and I'm wondering if adding 2 pounds or so of live sand from my LFS would help with the cycling. This wouldnt be from their tanks, they have a Live Sand vat. I added it to my previous 50 gallon tank after it was cycled, and it sprung to life. I have 20lb Florida Crushed Coral in there now, and I'm not sure if their fine brown Live Sand would mix well with it.
If the Live Sand would help, about how much of a reduction in cycle time can I expect?
Another option is to buy their Refridgerated bacteria, for like $25/bottle, that would allow instant cycling.
A final option is to use something like Carib Sea Bio Activated Live Aragonite(Instant cycling)
Obviously the sand would be the cheapest thing to try, but would it work near as quickly as if I used bacteria, or the Bio Activated stuff?
Thanks,
-David-

 

[ophiura]

There is no such thing as instant cycling. At least there shouldn't be if these 'miracle' claims are really true. It is a hobby that requires patience. You need to go slow to do this right. Some live sand wouldn't be bad at all, IMO, but I wouldn't blow $25 on the additive.
This is a small tank, and you can't rush anything with it. Water quality will always be a major issue because it can fluctuate very rapidly. You will not end up with much more than 2 or 3 fish in there, in all likelihood anyway.
Your damsels are not doing anything unusual, IMO. They yellowtail is probably the most docile of the three. They will probably not all last in there for long, and certainly not with other fish (in part because other smaller fish suitable for that tank will also be territorial). So be prepared to end up with one or two of them (because they may kill each other), or be ready to trade them back to the LFS once the cycle is complete. I have one striped in my 15g and he will attack me...and certainly any other fish I would try to put in there.

 

[abhaya]

ithe fish lived through the cold so it probably didnt hurt them adding live sand or rock will help but nature will take its course. After the tank is cycled I would try another harty fish and get rid of the damsels they are territorial and mat become problematic most fish stores will buy them from you.
good luck

 

[20galsw]

Hi,
Yes, I have already decided that. These fish are way too aggressive with each other. Since I upped my temperature 2 or 3 degrees more, now around 76-77, the 3 stripe, and the domino won't leave each other alone. Even the Yellowtail is getting into it sometimes. Oh well, atleast I've added some Live Rock, 2 big pieces, and 2 pieces of tonga slab. I arranged them so that each big rock has the slab laying against the side(sort of creating a cave for 2 of the fish) That seems to give them protection when they want it, but sometimes they still chase each other in and out of the holes. Haven't seen any fin nipping yet, so that's good!
I had 2 clowns in my last aquarium(1 True Perc, and 1 Ocellaris), and I wouldnt have anything else in this one. Clowns have great personality, they each act in their own individual way, they come right to the top at feeding time, and will eat right out of your hand. Plus I was lucky enough to have 2 slightly different species of clowns get along great.
I was wondering what other fish I could possibly get along with the 2 clowns?
I posted a link to some pics of my aquarium in my other post, but I will link it here as well...
http://cloud.prohosting.com/gmcboard/aquarium/
Thanks,
-David-

 

[tangtang]

IMO: Two is great! You don't need anymore fish.
I have two oscelaris(?) clowns in my 20 gallon wannabe a reef tank. <smile> I have lots of other creatures (shrimps, snails, crabs and a sea star) to keep my viewing pleasurable.
I may be a worry wart; but, I'm deathly afraid the having to feed the small reef tank's fish. (I feed my 180 FO 2-3 times a day and my reef tanks once a day. I have 5 small damsels in my 29 and will be moving two of them - the green chromis' - into the FO to hopefully school with the others I have in there. That will leave my 29 gallon with 3 tangerine damsels.)

 

[dreeves]

The 3 stripe is probably the most aggressive Damsel, followed by the domino. They will bicker at each other and continuously "punk" the yellow tail out. The yellow tail is one of the more peaceful damsels.
As for the cycling, as mentioned, there is no such thing as instant cycling. And for 25 bucks a bottle, they will tell you anything to get you to buy it. Now something like that could aid in the cycling time. Of course, live sand and rock would do that as well. And you already have the rock.
Get a blue devil damsel...put some competition in there. I have in my 90 right now, 3 blue devils, 1 domino, one velvet and one yellow tail, about 30-35 blue leg hermits, and a serpent star (he was in the 45, moved him over while I do some heavy maintenance on the 45). The domino was king until the devils were introduced. Now he is nothing. The devils were king, then the velvet was added. They have all been together about 4 weeks now, and the chase each other every now and then, but that is it. The yellow tail just hangs out and does his thing, none of them bother him anymore...go figure.
Sterilized the 90 a couple of months ago, and just finishing the cycling. Have a good time watching these damsels though. And the crabs too.