When you start your saltwater aquarium there are a lot of things to think about. You’ll need to consider the types of rocks and corals you use as well as getting the water balance just right before adding any animals to it. But when it comes to selecting creatures, it is vital that you choose to fish and invertebrates that will thrive together.
Blue damselfish and clownfish are among some of the most attractive marine life so it is little wonder that many aquarists want to keep both species.
Clownfish are actually a species of damselfish so this must instantly make them compatible with other types of damsel including the blue damselfish, right?. Blue damselfish can be very territorial and aggressive but since clownfish aren’t afraid to hold their own, the pair can live alongside one another, but there are some conditions to this.
One of the most important things to do when keeping any types of fish together, including this pairing, is to give each fish their own space and plenty of places to hide when they have had enough of the other members of the tank community.
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Do Clownfish And Blue Damselfish Get Along?
Damselfish are known for their aggression and while they are mostly peaceful when they are young, once they reach adulthood, they can become very territorial and will fight to defend themselves. They have a reputation for being one of the more feisty species but there are ways to keep them with clowns if you really want to.
Clownfish and blue damselfish come from the same family but this doesn’t mean that they will always get along. If you want the most successful pairing, you should always make sure to introduce the damselfish after the clownfish. By this point, there will already be established territory so the damsel won’t be able to come in and cause problems. Putting a new clownfish into the tank that is already dominated by a blue damsel is only going to spell trouble.
The existing fish will have already established his own territory meaning that, if a new fish comes into the mix, there could be a lot of fighting. While pairs may fight initially when being introduced into a new tank together, it’ll be on neutral ground and they will quickly establish whose territory is whose and which fish is going to be in charge.
Many hobby fish keepers have successfully kept these two animals together but as with any type of fish, there could be issues. It is important to keep this in mind when taking on these two species and it may be wise to have a refugium or isolation area to separate the fish should things get a little too heated.
Now, blue damselfish are considered to be a semi-aggressive species, as are clownfish, and many experts would suggest only keeping semi aggresives together. Clownfish do fall into this category. Keeping them with more placid fish could result in bullying.
When keeping the two species together, it is vital that you only do this in a large tank. Typically speaking, you wouldn’t want to mix the fish in anything smaller than a 75-gallon tank but there are stories of people doing this and still having issues.
The best thing to do when keeping two semi-aggressive species together like this is to make certain that they aren’t forced to live in each other’s pockets. More aquarium space means less likelihood of the fish bumping into one another or entering each other’s territory. Moreover, it will pay dividends to have lots of places for the fish to hide should they feel threatened.
While it may be possible for the blue damselfish and the clownfish to live successfully together, we would not recommend keeping any more than a single blue damsel in your aquarium, even if there is a lot of space. These fish do not tend to do well with others of the same species and territory can become a very significant issue.
Are There Other, Better Tank Mates For These Fish?
We cannot make it clear enough that clownfish and blue damselfish will live relatively peacefully together if they are given the right amount of space and a suitable environment. However, that isn’t to say that they are the ideal pairing. There are other fish that will pair far better with each of these species so unless you really have your heart set on this combo, then it may be worth considering choosing different fish.
Clownfish Tank Mates
If you want to keep a damselfish but are worried about the temperament of the blue variety then you will be pleased to know that the Chromis damselfish is much more placid than its blue cousin. These fish are rarely aggressive and are known to exist in harmony with many other species including the clownfish.
Clownfish pair very well with various types of angelfish. That said, many people find that they have the greatest success when pairing them with the pygmy angelfish owing to the fact that both are around the same size. Larger angelfish may become aggressive to the smaller clowns so should be avoided.
Basslets are great tankmates for the clownfish. They are territorial but they will generally only take over a very small portion of the tank such as a small inlet or cave. Fortunately for the clownfish, they don’t spend much time in caves and so match very well since there won’t be any fighting over territory. Similarly, the Mandarin dragonet will live in different parts of the tank and so will get along well with the clownfish.
If you want to move away from fish and find a different type of tank mate for your clownfish then the blood-red fire shrimp is a great choice. They will remove parasites and exist very peacefully alongside the clownfish. They tend to only become very active at dusk so will allow the clownfish free reign of the tank for the rest of the time.
Blue Damselfish Tank Mates
Since blue damselfish can be so aggressive, it is essential that they are never paired with overly timid fish. The results could be devastating. That said, there are a variety of species that would be very well suited to living alongside these feisty fish.
The blue damselfish is often used to cycle a new tank but this is not something we would ever recommend. It is not humane, nor is it massively effective. You would do just as well using rocks. But once your tank is established, be sure to add the blue damselfish last, as we have already discussed.
You will find that these fish will cohabit quite well with invertebrates and for the most part, will leave them alone. That said, these outgoing fish have also been known to feast on inverts so do be mindful of this when adding them to your tank.
In terms of fish, you can try your blue damselfish with the yellow tang, dottybacks, dwarf angelfish, and any bottom-dwelling gobies. Of course, it is always a good idea to closely monitor the tank to ensure that no fights break out.
Conclusion
Blue damselfish and clownfish are both popular species that are seen in saltwater tanks around the world. However, you must keep in mind that these animals may fight for dominance and territory is a big issue, especially for the blue damselfish.
It is possible to keep the two fish together but you will need to make sure that they have A LOT of space to swim around without getting in each other’s way. It is also recommended that you don’t keep more than one blue damselfish in any one tank and this can cause further problems relating to the territory.
