Damselfish are known to be quite aggressive. They frequently bite and snap, making them difficult to live with others. You should consider giving damselfish their own tank. Or, get a larger tank where each fish gets plenty of territories, and look for semi-hostile tank mates.
Today we look into why damselfish are aggressive, which ones to avoid and which ones are tolerable, and how to prevent aggression. Damselfish include over 300 species, some able to live in brackish water. They come in striking colors, sizes, temperaments and are extremely hardy, great for novice aquarium hobbyists. So why the bad name?
Are Sergeant Major Damselfish aggressive? This damselfish gets its name from bold blue stripes reminiscent of a military leader’s badge. Like other damsels, they become increasingly hostile with age, reaching 8 inches. They require an extra-large species-only tank, or keep them with fearless fish.
Damselfish get a bad rap. They are highly aggressive, bite your hand, harass timid tankmates to death, and are hard to remove. The Yellowtail Damselfish is particularly hardy and hobbyists use them to cycle new tanks. Which is better, a Yellowtail Blue Damselfish or a Parasema?
These species exhibit a range in size, coloration, and habitat. Key differences are in size, patterns, and behavior. If keeping an aggressive damselfish, make sure other fish are established first. This prevents the damselfish feeling the entire tank is their territory.
Can a Three Stripe Damselfish live in an aquarium? Most grow to around 3 inches however large species, like the Garibaldi, reach 12 inches. As juveniles and adults, Threespot Damselfish are eaten by large fish patrolling reefs. They feed on plankton above reefs. Males aggressively defend territories when guarding eggs.
What fish can live with damselfish?
Triggerfish tend to be aggressive. In an extra-large tank with plenty of space, triggerfish and damselfish can live together.
Damselfish can live with other fish if you choose the right tankmates, consider the damselfish species, and maintain a peaceful environment. With proper care, damselfish can thrive in a community tank.
Let’s explore damselfish tankmates further. We’ll learn which saltwater fish species go well with different damselfish. We’ll also discover what makes damsels aggressive in captivity and what to reduce that aggression. If you’re ready to learn more about stocking a tank with damselfish, let’s continue.
Dwarf angelfish share a semi-aggressive temperament with starck, talbot, and yellowtail damselfish. They can live together in a community tank.
Some say damselfish are aggressive, target tankmates, and try to bite you.
Most damselfish reach two inches. However, some live in freshwater or subtropical climates.
Color changes in damselfish can indicate health issues. But it’s normal for their color to change with stress or when lights are off.
Damselfish species have varying aggression. Chrysiptera and some Pomacentrus seem most peaceful.
Suitable clownfish tankmates include mandarin dragonet, dartfish, wrasses, chromis, blenny, cardinalfish, etc. Clownfish are damselfish themselves.
Azure, Talbot’s, Roland’s, and Starck’s Damselfish from the Chrysiptera genus seem very peaceful.
Damselflies have slender bodies, long wings, and live near freshwater. Their colors can be vivid.
Clownfish and blue damselfish can live together with enough space. But other fish may be better tankmates. Chromis damselfish are more placid.
Do not mix tropical fish with marine fish. They have incompatible needs.
Territorial fish like cichlids and sharks don’t share space well.
Good tankmates for clownfish include wrasses, damselfish, tangs, angelfish, corals, anemones. Clownfish often won’t get along with their own kind.
Reef safe fish like clownfish, chromis, cardinalfish suit coral tanks well.
The 10 best clownfish tankmates are types of dartfish, tang, dragonet, angelfish, damselfish, blenny, basslet, pseudochromis, wrasses, cardinalfish. Clownfish species differ in behavior like aggression.
Small fish like damselfish, wrasses, butterflyfish suit clownfish tanks. Bottom dwellers like blennies and gobies also work.
Anthias avoid clownfish aggression with speed. Clownfish enjoy 72-78°F water.
A single damselfish needs a 55 gallon tank minimum. Despite aggression, they tolerate wide water conditions and accept most foods.
Good tankmates for clownfish include corydoras, gouramis and plecos. They are small, peaceful fish that won’t harass clownfish.
Can damselfish live with clownfish?
Yes, damselfish can tolerate clownfish, but only if there’s enough space for each to have its own territory. The damselfish thrives on a diet of pellets, flakes, and frozen and freeze-dried food.
Clownfish and blue damselfish will live relatively peacefully together if they are given the right amount of space and a suitable environment. However, that isn’t to say that they are the ideal pairing. There are other fish that will pair far better with each of these species. Unless you really have your heart set on this combo, then it may be worth considering choosing different fish.
So, if you’re ready to learn more about how to stock a saltwater tank with damselfish, then let’s dive in! Dwarf angelfish are quite compatible with starck, talbot, and yellowtail damselfish in a community tank environment. They share a similar semi-aggressive temperament and grow to be about the same size. When housing angels with damsels, make sure not to overcrowd the tank as this leads to heightened aggression in both fish.
As clownfish are a sub-species of damselfish, they can co-habitat with other damsels of similar size and temperament in a community tank environment. Blue and green chromis fish make great tankmates for percula or ocellaris clownfish as they tend to be less aggressive in nature.
Suitable tankmates for damselfish include clownfish, gobies, wrasses, and tangs. Introducing damselfish to a community tank requires a gradual and cautious approach. In conclusion, damselfish can live with other fish provided you choose the right tankmates, consider the species of damselfish, and maintain a peaceful environment.
Some suitable tankmates can be Mandarin Dragonet, Dartfish, Red Coris Wrasse, Yellow Tang, Basslets, Chromis Damselfish, Pygmy Angelfish, Butterflyfish, Pseudochromis, Blenny, Banggai Cardinalfish. The aggression shown by Damselfish is to protect their territory. In a minimum 20-gallon tank, 3 damselfish can stay together. You can keep small groups of blue damselfish with one male and the remaining females.
What is the most peaceful damselfish?
The most peaceful Damselfish are the Azure Damselfish, Talbot’s Damsel, Roland’s Damselfish, and Starck’s Demoiselle. Four of the small kinds do well in schools, such as the Yellowtail Blue Damselfish and Azure Damselfish. The Chromis Damselfish are all medium sized but are also quite peaceful together in schools! In general, damselfish and catfish are not compatible tank mates. This species is highly recommended due to its generally peaceful nature, small size, and hardiness. Chrysiptera species like the Blue Devil Damselfish are colorful.
Dascyllus are some of the most aggressive types of Damselfish. Small Wrasses, Pygmy Angelfish, and Tangs can usually hold their own but keep them away from smaller marine fish. Luckily, the orangetail damselfish is one of the most peaceful members of its family. The taxon is comprised of parasitic species, including flukes and tapeworms. They are not plant pests, but the majority of non-native flatworms eat native organisms. They pose a threat to soil biodiversity.
Once they establish territories and live with each other long enough, they should be fine. Blue Chromis are the most peaceful damsels. When damselfish are breeding, they are aggressive, since many species guard the eggs in their territory. So, fear the damselfish! The small, belligerently territorial, damselfish kill coral colonies to grow gardens of algae for feeding and nests for breeding. The angelfish managed to keep the damsel cowering, and I lost it. All that said, any damselfish afraid of a Centropyge acanthops must be really peaceful!