No Damsels For Starting out??

[missmary49]

I read somewhere that Damsels were not a good starter fish when cycling through a new system, use chromis insted, is that true?

 

[HN1]

No. The cycling process should involve NO fish. Check out the articles section and the stickies. There's some very good information there that will save you a ton of frustration and money.

 

[Jimbo7]

Half right, damsels aren't good for starting a tank, chromis are. But not for cycling it, just as some started fish. Damsels will become very aggressive.

 

[missmary49]

so they dont help settle any levels until you can bring in other fish/coarls? i thought thats what they were for.

 

[Jimbo7]

Nope! most people buy them because they can't wait to have lots of fish, and they are the cheapest fish around.

 

[Kurt_Nelson]

Please read the following article...

Cycle your salt tank

Once your tank is cycled, it is ready for A fish. Add no more than 1 fish a month for the first few months and your tank will do just fine. Damsels are fine... if you want damsels!

Best thing to do before adding ANY fish... make up your "stock list" and research it. Is your tank the appropriate size for these fish? Which fish are more peaceful and which are more likely to be aggressive? Once you get your list finalized, THEN start to add fish - starting with the most peaceful and ending with the most aggressive. Adding fish in this order lets the less aggressive fish claim their territory and feel more at home before the big bullies get thrown in the tank. If you do it the other way around, the big bully will think the whole tank is his, and harass any new fish - possibly to the point of death.

 

[melosu58]

Read that article Kurt gave you. It will explain why we dont use fish. It will explain how to do your cycle and what to watch for.

 

[missmary49]

Read that article Kurt gave you. It will explain why we dont use fish. It will explain how to do your cycle and what to watch for.

very nice.