Damsels
All Damselfish can be considered reef-safe, sometimes excluding larger, more aggressive Dascyllus varieties. Some Damselfish will host in anemones like clownfish. Most Damselfish are aggressive and difficult to catch once you put them in an aquarium.
Damselfish change gender as they grow larger and older. Small damselfish are ungendered. Eventually, they become males if no males prevent them from doing so. 1 or sometimes 2 males live with a female and guard over the eggs. Females are the largest fish and dominant over the males and juveniles. They will not allow other females into an area they have claimed as their territory without a fight. They may not allow new males or juveniles, either. Aggression increases with each change.
Chrysiptera hemicyanea is a hardy member of a saltwater aquarium. Because of this and its usually low price it is often recommended as a way for novice marine aquarium keepers to gain experience. Thirty gallons is typically quoted as the minimum tank size required to permanently house this fish. To keep a small group a tank of fifty five gallons will be required.
It is less aggressive than most damselfish but will sometimes harass more passive fish. Despite its comparatively peaceful nature it can be territorial with members of its own species. It is however reef safe and will not harm invertebrates. Even though it has a hardy nature, it also must not be placed in an aquarium with larger predatory fish such as lionfish, and grouper which will often see it as a food source.
They are omnivorous, and will eat a variety of meat food items and algae.
Chrysiptera cyanea, also known as blue damselfish, sapphire devil, or orangetail blue damselfish, is a popular saltwater aquarium fish from the Indo-Pacific. It is estimated to be the most sold marine aquarium fish in the United States.
The Threespot dascyllus (Dascyllus trimaculatus), also known as the Domino Damsel or simply Domino, is a species of damselfish from the family Pomacentridae. It is native to the Indo-Pacific from the Red Sea and East Africa, to the Pitcairn islands, southern Japan and Australia.
Dascyllus melanurus is a hardy member of a saltwater aquarium. Because of this and its usually low price it is often recommended as a way for novice marine aquarium keepers to gain experience in the hobby. Thirty gallons is typically quoted as the minimum tank size required to permanently house this fish.
It is an aggressive fish, even when compared to many damselfish, and will often harass similarly sized fish. It is also territorial with members of its own species, and with new additions to a tank. This will often make it difficult to add other small fish to an aquarium. It is however reef safe and will not harm invertebrates. Despite its hardy nature care should be taken when placing one with larger predatory fish such as lion fish, and grouper which will may eat it.
The Garibaldi or Garibaldi damselfish (Hypsypops rubicundus) is a fish of the damselfish family that is native to the north-eastern subtropical parts of the Pacific Ocean, ranging from Monterey Bay, California, to Guadalupe Island, Baja California. It is the official marine state fish of California and is protected in California coastal waters. It is frequently seen off Santa Catalina Island, California. It is also the mascot of the Georgia Aquarium.
The fish is named after the Italian revolutionary Giuseppe Garibaldi, who famously wore a red shirt, as did many of his followers.
Garibaldis are renowned for their brilliant orange color and grow up to 30 cm (12 in) in length. Juvenile Garibaldi have iridescent blue spots which they lose as they become adults. They live at depths of up to 30 meters (100 ft), usually in association with reefs and typically over rocky sea-bottoms. They feed mainly on invertebrates that they remove from the rocks. Adult Garibaldis maintain a home territory. The male clears a sheltered nest site within his territory, and the female then deposits eggs within the nest. The male subsequently guards the nest until the eggs hatch after 19-21 days. This territoriality makes garibaldi incredibly aggressive, to the point of biting divers.
An interesting feature of the Garabaldi is the ability to change its sex throughout its lifetime. This process is prompted when the ratio of males to females is out of balance. Garabaldis of the over-represented gender will change in order to make up the deficit. This process can be undergone multiple times by the same fish.
The Sergeant Major or píntano (Abudefduf saxatilis, family Pomacentridae) is a large, colourful damselfish. It earns its name from its brightly striped sides, which are reminiscent of the insignia of a military Sergeant Major. It grows to a length of about 15cm (6 inches).
The fish feed upon the larvae of invertebrates, zooplankton, smaller fish, crustaceans and various species of algae. They are preyed upon by some members of the Labridae and Serranidae families. They lay their eggs in patches on a firm substrate and guard them vigorously until they hatch.
Sergeant majors are found throughout the tropical reaches of the Atlantic, including off the south coast of the United States, Central America, eastern South America and western Africa. They are often found on coral reefs at depths of between 1 and 12 meters.
They are popular aquarium fish, although their aggressively territorial nature can pose problems if not closely watched.
Paraglyphidodon oxyodon is a Damselfish from the Western Central Pacific. It occasionally makes its way into the aquarium trade. It grows to a size of 15cm in length.
Chrysiptera parasema, also known as Yellowtail Damselfish or Goldtail demoiselle is a popular saltwater aquarium fish from the Indo-Pacific.
Chrysiptera parasema is a hardy member of a saltwater aquarium. Because of this and its usually low price it is often recommended as a way for novice marine aquarium keepers to gain experience. Thirty gallons is typically quoted as the minimum tank size required to permanently house this fish.
It is less aggressive than most damselfish but will sometimes harass more passive fish. Despite its comparatively peaceful nature it can be territorial with members of its own species. This aggression can sometimes be reduced by keeping them in groups of three to seven. Despite its hardy nature, it also must not be placed in an aquarium with larger predatory fish such as lionfish, and grouper which will often see it as a food source.