Damsel & Bangaii Compatability ?

[Patti]

Hi There,

I've got 3 black and white damsels in my 80 gallon along with a Humu Humu, yellow tang, and a birdmouth wrasse. It is a fish only tank, no corals or live rock, just artificial decorations in this one. My damsels lay eggs every 13 days and have been doing this for at least a year that I am aware of. I'm having difficulty hatching the rotifer cysts to feed the damsel fry. My local fish fellow suggested that I try breeding Bangaii Cardinals. I have had my damsels for 4 and a half years, actually all the above fish I've had for 4 and a half years except the wrasse that was added about 4 months ago. I don't have the heart to trade off my damsels that I've had for so long. I am wondering if Bangaii's and my damsels would get along or do they look too similar in color that they would be aggressive and throw off all breeding attempts ? Or should I have one or the other, mind you, would the Bangaii's get along with the other tank mates even ??
Thanks In Advance For Any Advice,
Patti

 

[HARRISON]

Well IMO if you have ahd thses guys in the same tank for 4 years they are going to be territorial. VERY territorial. You will probably see the evil saide of your tang and the damsels won't be much better. I don't know how it will effect the breeding of the damsels.

If you were dead set on trying it I would rearrange the tank so everyone has to reclaim a new spot and feed the others when you add the new guys to occupy them and slow down the fight a little. I am sure others can give you a little better insight...

HARRISON

 

[Patti]

Thanks for writing,

Yes, That's exactly what I did when I added my Birdmouth Wrasse, I was terrified to throw off any territories and to upset the egg laying process, but they are still breeding, touch wood. I do have the option of trading my damsels in towards the Banggai's.If I did part with the damsels, Do you think the Banggai's would fair well with the other fish, my Tang doesn't seem to be overly concerned with the other fish, plus I would rearrange the decor also.
Thanks A Bunch

Patti

 

[HARRISON]

My tang wooped the snot out of my Copper Banded when I got him, but he mellowed after a couple days. I would probably trade them in but they are pretty tough fish. I doubt you would lose any. The hard part would be to catch them.

 

[Patti]

Yikes !

I hate catching fish, I feel like I'm intruding on their space and losing their trust. They love when I am in the tank cleaning this and that but when they see that darn net and bucket coming It's like I'm the worst person in the world

I think I'm gonna have to sit down and make a plan, I also have some fish to move out of my reef tank. I have decided to turn my reef into a seahorse species tank, so I also need to remove the faster aggressive fish out of there and into the 80 gallon, one by one, we'll see how it goes.
Thanks for writing,
Patti

 

[cheapreefer]

I have had a Striped damsel (fairly large) and a Bangaii Cardinal in a 38 (along with an ocellaris pair) for a year now. The damsel is actually afraid of the cardinal, although the cardinals are the most passive fish you can get IMO. The cardinal follows the clowns everywhere, almost into the anenome. I have a seperate 29 with just a Bangaii pair for breeding. The damsels will eat the fry of the Bangaii, and the cardinals will defend their teritory!

 

[amber]

I haven't tried this yet, Patti, but have you heard of netless capture? you use a clear plastic container so the fish don't see you coming with the big green net! It sounds good...
good luck. amber