clownfish vs damsels.

Use biospira

 

What kind of other fish would a get along with a yellowtail Damsel? I heard that clownfish don't mix with them. Is that true?

 

I don't have a yellow tail currenty,but i've kept them problem free with clowns for years.They all can get a little snippy,but yt's are some of the lesser aggressive damsels as are the false percs/occellaris clowns.

 

Ok I have a 29g tank and was wondering if two clowns can fit in there. I don't remember the names but they are the cheapest clowns you can buy, like $19.99. Would I also be able to put in two yt damsels? Or I heard you should keep them in groups of four...

 

I've only kept yt one at a time,so not sure about pairs or multiples,but over all,depending on filtration,you could keep 4 to 5 similar or lesser sized fish total in there,look at some gobies and or wrasses,cardinals,etc,alot are fairly inexpensive and many make great community fish.Just do a little background research before buying anything to check for full adult size/tank requirements,special care needs,dietary requirments,rather they're reef safe and compatability with other tank mates.

 

Well I don't really want yellow tails though. I want to use those as a starter fish to see if it is too hard for me to manage salt water. I REALLY want two clownfish! They are so cool! And maybe some cleaning shrimp. What would you suggest for cleaners?

 

Don't use fish for testers,buy a master test kit and a refractometer,then you have full control on rather your water/tank is ok for inhabitants.Second,never add fish you don't plan on keeping long term.Do you know how fun it is to catch a trouble making damsel?It may involve pulling most of your rockwork just to get back him out.Damsels are called buttheads for a reason.

 

I think you are thinking of Ocsellaris Clowns. They don't get really big actually. I use to have a male/female pair and the female (which is always the largest) was only 2" and I've had her for quite a while and they were in a 33gal tank. Since then I removed the male because the female started being hosted by my frogspawn and she went after every free swimming peaceful fish in the tank! I still have her but now in a 20gal, which is lots of room for her, she still is only at 2" and that is as big as she is gunna get. But she is no longer allowed with peacful fish. I have her and a Talbot's damsel together in a 20gal. To tell you the truth I have never liked damsels because of the fact they are asses! I use to have a yellow tailed in the 33gal and I got rid of it within a few weeks. Same thing happened when I got an electric blue damsel. Got rid of that one 4 days later. They are just such beautiful fish and I was trying so hard to make it work with a damsel, but no luck. Then I looked up the Talbot's Damsel and from when I was reading they weren't that bad. So, I picked one up at the LFS a month ago. I STILL HAVE HIM!!!! And he is actually my favorite fish in the tank!! I was VERY suprised on how his personality was. He is an absolute beautiful fish with a bright yellow head and lower fins... purple body with pink tip on his dorsal fin and a black spot at the back of his dorsal. The most aggression I've seen with this guy is only at night when he is settling down in the hole he burried under my zoanthid rock, and if the clownfish gets too close all he does is flare his gills and "mock charges"... that's it! And the clown doesn't seem to mind him at all. No nipped fins, nothing. So, if you are really wanting to use a damsel to start up the tank, I suggest trying the talbot's damsel. I can't see there being a problem with future fish in the size tank you have. I am having no problems with him in my tiny 20gal. I don't suggest cycling a tank with any kind of fish, but if you are heck bent on doing it with a damsel. I would suggest a talbots. That way you dont have too much to worry about and wont have to tear down teh rockwork to catch him because hes too aggressive.