Damsel dilemma

[Myka]

They are like wrasses where they are all females, then the dominant one becomes males (opposite of Clownfish). All females have the ability to become males if there is no dominant male around. So, if you get two small ones then one will become male and one will be female, and until they sort that out they will fight. If you get one bigger one and one smaller one (the small one has to be smaller enough to ensure it still is female and not a small male already) then they won't fight as much. If you get a group you will get one dominant male, he will pick a female, and the rest will be outsiders. If the tank is big enough they will break into pairs and have their own little territories. If the tank isn't big enough for that then the outsiders will be killed or generally ignored - it's tough to say how it will work out, and it varies form species to species and individual to individual.

In my experiences with many Yellowtail Damsels in several tanks, they are fairly peaceful to other fish, and do best if you have only two (to pair up) and then they are the only damsels (besides Clowns) in the tank. If you keep them like this then there isn't usually a problem. I've never kept Sapphires, and I've found Yellowtails to be more peaceful than Azures. I also think that any damsels do better in tanks that are at least 40-60 gallons as they will have more space. I find lots of fish that are fairly boisterous are much more likely to become VILE in smaller tanks. Orchid Dottybacks are another example.

[Fin2you]

OK so if I can find some blue Sapphire Damsel I will look for another shyish fairly small one. I am OK with only 1 of a fish, this tank to me is more about the corals!

[Myka]

Originally Posted by Fin2you

OK so if I can find some blue Sapphire Damsel I will look for another shyish fairly small one. I am OK with only 1 of a fish, this tank to me is more about the corals!

In a 40-gallon tank, I'd recommend you just have the one. A breeding pair in a tank that size could be trouble. I'd also suggest that you pick more boisterous fish as tank mates.

[Fin2you]

Right now I have the 2 baby clownfish, yellow prawn goby, lawnmower Blenny with the Azure Damsel & then a few snails & 1 Scarlet reef Hermit crab plus an unknown number of macro Brittle starfish. Not sure what else to add! I had a few fish in mind (hawkfish, a Helfrichi firefish, 6line wrasse, Mandarin Dragonet) but for 1 reason or another I keep taking them off the list.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by Fin2you

Right now I have the 2 baby clownfish, yellow prawn goby, lawnmower Blenny with the Azure Damsel & then a few snails & 1 Scarlet reef Hermit crab plus an unknown number of macro Brittle starfish. Not sure what else to add! I had a few fish in mind (hawkfish, a Helfrichi firefish, 6line wrasse, Mandarin Dragonet) but for 1 reason or another I keep taking them off the list.

Your current fish are a good combo. I wouldn't put a 6-line Wrasse is a tank that size. They are one of the fish that can be VILE in smaller tanks. A Mandarin probably won't get enough food in a tank that size unless you train it to eat frozen food in a quarantine tank before introducing it. If your Damsel is still fairly small then the Firefish and the Hawkfish would probably do just fine. They stick to the rocks like the Damsel (and Yellow Prawn Goby), so their territories would overlap, but the Damsel should get over it as long as it's not so big that it will kick everyone's butt.

[Fin2you]

I took the hawkfish off b/c I didn't want more lower rock dwelling fish out of risk for issues. The wrasse b/c of size & aggression. & Mandarin b/c of Feeding issues.
I would like something maybe that swims out in the open a bit more?

[Myka]

Originally Posted by Fin2you

I took the hawkfish off b/c I didn't want more lower rock dwelling fish out of risk for issues. The wrasse b/c of size & aggression. & Mandarin b/c of Feeding issues.
I would like something maybe that swims out in the open a bit more?

Cardinals, Royal Grammas, and Firefish will all hide lots at first and while small, but once they are comfortable and bigger they will swim in the open lots. Bangaii Cardinals are often quite shy, and I wouldn't pick them.