Issues Between Young Damsels

[rolandzimmerman]

I recently set up a 30g saltwater tank for my girlfriend. We let it cycle for a week, I ran some tests and it was ready. So we got our clean up crew all settled in. I've set up many tanks, as I used to work for a fish tank maintenance company. We went to the LFS and she really wanted these two different breeds of damsels: yellow belly and green chromis. I've never had issues with the chromis before, and I'd never had a yellow belly. I figured they would be fine because they were both babies. This morning, I got a call from her that the chromis was laying on the sandbed. I quaranyined him and medicated him to try to take him out of shock, but we weren't able to save him. He has a bruise on his side and nips on his fins and the yellow belly had been chasing him the night before.

Tl; dr: I'm wondering if anyone has ever had a yellow belly damsel and can give me some advice. Also wondering if it's even possible for two 1-inch fish to even do enough damage to kill each other.

Thanks.

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[Macscale]

I've never had a either of the fish. I'm just surprised that the tank was cycled In one week. That just sounds suspicious.

 

[rolandzimmerman]

I took substrate and live rock from an established tank. I just need to know about the fish.

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[Macscale]

I do know that damsels are extremely aggressive fish. They aren't recommended by many Aquarium Advice users.

 

[Bectan01]

Yes they can, I've seen damsels terrorise fish 5 times their size. I have a mean clown fish that has successfully killed a blenny three times it's size. It's possible.

 

[weagle117]

The chromis is the least aggressive damsel. I've seen several of them cohabit quite peacefully. My bet is that you are right & the other damsel just beat him up. I have never been able to keep chromis damsels alive for very long, never had a problem with other damsels. I have 2 blue w/ yellow tail (yellow tails, I think they're called) that were put in the tank (50 gal tub) several years apart. They don't hang out together like my clownfish but they haven't bothered each other either. I think chromis must be very peaceful & sensitive. The fish store folks act pretty puzzled when I have another batch die... usually one at a time. I try again every couple of years.... love them (the fish, I mean?.... Just never works.

 

[tangs27]

Chromis tend to pick each other off until only one or two remain. I tried multiple times and now I just keep the two I have. I've never owned the yellow belly damsels but I had a blue damsel and they are incredibly mean. From what I've seen they will go after whatever they want. Mine tormented a yellow tang, I eventually got rid of it.

 

[joshuajimenez]

Damsle are the most aggressive fish one at max in a tank definatlety not two dude damsle are more than capable of killing fish 3xs there size

 

[mr_X]

Pound for pound, tougher than sharks. I agree with the above and also have seen them kick the life out of much larger fish.

 

[54seaweed]

damsels are demons
the chromis didn't have a chance against the yellow belly
I've heard of many a story about damsels going after fish 6X there size with no intimidation
only time I say damsels are ok are when they are in a species only tank
with nothing else in the tank
many learn the hard way thinking that little fish cant do much , to find there prize fish dead thanks to that little demon

 

[jrcordero4]

The three striped damsels(aka humbug) are the worst. Always nipping at other fish until my lion fish decided he was a pest and ate his annoying butt.