1. their desirable appearance as they age. Some Common Species: be a good choice for your aquarium.
Damselfish
Some actually turn completely brown or Keep in mind that how common a
A Look at the...
black when they are mature, and some There are lots of damsels and chromis- species is at a shop, or how popular
of them can get much bigger than you es, but I’ve listed a few common ones they are overall, has little or nothing to
might think. Several species that are below. Just enough to give you a good do with how suitable they are for a reef
often seen at shops at one to two inches idea of the variability found between aquarium. Many of these are no good
in length can grow and grow until the species, and what may or may not for reefers, even in large aquariums.
they’re the biggest fish in a tank at times
(depending on what else is in the tank,
of course). Wouldn’t you hate to buy a
beautiful two-inch damsel, only to have
it grow into a very plain black six-inch
fish? A few species can get even larger,
too.
By James W. Fatherree, M.Sc. Still, these are trivial issues compared
All images © James W. Fatherree, M.Sc. to the absolutely nasty attitudes many
damsels have. Even at small sizes, these
fishes are often territorial in nature, and
O f all the fishes available to marine
aquarists, I’ll bet that none have
been added to tanks as often as damself-
family, are unique enough to warrant
full-coverage in their own article.
most will survive the process of establish-
ing the biological filtration cycle in a
tank in stride. They aren’t bulletproof,
can decide that a significant section of
a large tank is their territory, or that
everything within a small tank is. They’ll
ish have. Some species are as colourful as The good things about them: but compared to other sorts of fishes, defend what they consider to be their
a fish can be, stay relatively small in size, they’re certainly ranked high when it own real estate, even against peaceful
can get along well with other fishes and There are quite a few good things to say comes to survivability under adverse fishes that are much larger than they are, Abudefduf vaigiensis, the sergeant major damsel:
invertebrates, and are inexpensive, too. about the damsels and chromises. Many conditions. to the point of pestering them to death.
However, the key word here is ‘some’ are very colourful, and some actually Such damsels will chase and nip at Named for its sergeant-striped body, these damsels and their close cousins
species, rather than all of them. Despite seem to glow under bluish-coloured Most of them will also eat just about practically any fish that doesn’t have the can be spotted on just about any dive, wherever there’s warm water.
the general popularity of these fishes, aquarium lighting. Even those that are anything that you add to a tank that is guts to fight back, and you’d be surprised This is one of the species that looks cute when small, but can grow to a
many can be absolutely nasty towards covered only by black and white stripes considered fish food. Flake food, brine at how many larger fishes won’t. If this whopping 8 inches and may eat small invertebrates if given the chance.
their tankmates. Some get much, much and spots can be really attractive. Many shrimp, blood worms, fine bits of fish, persists, the victim will often become so
bigger than you might think, and some also stay relatively small, even when clam, and squid meat, sheets of algae, stressed since there’s nowhere to move
get quite plain looking or even ugly full grown, which is very desirable to frozen cube foods, etc. Most of them will on to, that they’ll hide all the time, may
as they age, too. So, this clan of fishes most reef-keepers. In fact, quite a few of take it all, and will nibble at some of the end up sick, and might even die. Really
certainly merits a closer look. them won’t get any larger than two or unwanted algae that grows on rocks and big damsels have been known to outright
three inches at the most. I’ve provided such, too. murder smaller fishes.
What are they? the maximum reported sizes for several
species below (from www.fishbase.org), And, as if that’s not enough, they’re Speaking in general you should never
Damselfish are the members of the but keep in mind that these are exactly cheap. Marine fishes are quite expen- try to keep more than one damsel of the
Family Pomacentridae, which contains that – maximums. Most specimens won’t sive compared to freshwater fishes, same species together unless they have
over 300 species altogether, some of get so large in aquariums, and are often but damsels and chromises can still be plenty of room and hiding spaces. For
which are without a doubt the most considerably shorter in length even when picked up for just a few pounds at any that matter, it’s usually a bad idea to mix
popular fishes in the marine aquarium perfectly healthy and well cared for. shop you might visit. Thus, there are lots different species in confined quarters,
hobby. Almost all of them are marine, of reasons to like them. too. Remember, they can be very ter-
primarily being found in the Indian and Some will get along well with other ritorial, and another damsel, regardless
Pacific Oceans, but there are a few that individuals of the same species, and The bad things about them: of type will typically be seen as a direct
may be found in brackish waters, and with other species of fishes, too. Many competitor for space. However, some can
several species that are found in the Car- can even be kept in groups of several Okay, time for the bad news. As be kept in schools at times, and the same
ibbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, as well. individuals, which will move around wonderful as all of that sounded, there goes for the chromises. In fact, the popu-
larger tanks in schools. And, almost all are some problems when it comes to lar chromises are best kept in groups and
Most of the members of the family are of them will leave alone whatever sorts of many of the damsels. In fact, many of will stick together and swim around in a
simply called damsels by hobbyists, but non-fish life you have. the commonly offered species should pack near the top of a tank.
some members are called chromises, all be avoided by reef aquarists altogether.
of which belong to the genus Chromis. On top of all that, the damsels (but not (Keep in mind this doesn’t mean these I’ll also add that while they typically Chrysiptera cyanea, the blue devil damsel:
The clownfishes, which hang around so much the chromises) are categorically same undesirable species aren’t perfectly won’t bother invertebrates, there are
in anemones and belong to the genus tough. Very hardy indeed, so much so fine in non-reef aquariums stocked with some species that will snack on tiny Awesome blue, but called a devil (and a lot of other words that I can’t write
Amphiprion or Premnas, are also in the that they have been the number one type larger/more aggressive fishes that can worms and crustaceans that are quite here for good reason.) They only reach about 3 inches at best, but when it
same family with the rest of these, too. of fish used to cycle new aquariums for take care of themselves, though.) beneficial in some tanks, especially those comes to nastiness, these little things can be real terrors. I’ve added these
But, we’ll be sticking with just the “regu- as long as they’ve been available, as best that have deep sand beds. Little things to reef aquariums in the past, and regretted it on every occasion. So they’re
lar” damsels and the chromises here. as I can tell. Less than stellar water qual- Anyway, some damsels may be very like amphipods and copepods will make off-limits now in my book, no matter how cheap, tough, and pretty they are.
Clownfish, despite being in the same ity is seldom a problem for them, and colourful when they are small, but lose quick meals for some of them.

2. Chrysiptera parasema, the Dascyllus aruanus, the
yellow tail damsel: three-stripe damsel:
Mostly blue with a bright yellow tail, It is odd to me that with all the
these are a little smaller than the blue colourful marine fishes out there,
devils and are far less aggressive. some that are only black and white
That doesn’t mean they’re necessarily are still neat looking enough to
peaceful though, and for a fish with bring home. The three-stripe is a
a maximum size of about 2.5 inches, good example, as its look is nothing
some individuals can be surprisingly more than 3 broad black and white
obnoxious. Still, these are a far stripes on a body that doesn’t get
better choice than a blue devil, and more than about 2.5 inches long.
most times they don’t cause any Unfortunately, they not only lack
troubles, so I recommend them. colour, but they generally lack
any tolerance for other fishes,
too. Yes, they can be pretty mean.
Chrysiptera talboti, the
talboti or Talbot’s damsel:
Dascyllus melanurus, the
This one also reaches about 2.5 four-stripe damsel:
inches, but doesn’t look at all like
the three above. No blue body This one is very similar to the three-
on this one, but they still have stripe damsel in both appearance
attractive colours on their body, and attitude. They get just a little
with a black spot on their back. Very bigger, maybe reaching about 3
pretty, and quite possibly the most inches, and they have a black tail
peaceful of all the damsels. This rather than a white/clear one,
species is highly recommended but that’s about it. Mean again.
due to its generally peaceful
nature, small size, and hardiness.
Dascyllus
trimaculatus,
Chrysiptera the domino
hemicyanea, the or three-spot
azure damsel: damsel:
This species also reaches These will fool
about 2.5 inches, and looks you for sure.
a lot like a yellow tail with They’re seen for
some extra yellow. The sale everywhere
tail and the whole belly and look like cute
is bright yellow, with the little dominos
rest being that same blue when young, but
colour as the two previous they can also be
species. These are some of very aggressive.
my personal favourites, as What’s worse is
they tend to be even less that they lose
aggressive than the yellow the spots, turn a
tails, although I have had a kind of crummy
couple over the years that black, and get up
had poor attitudes though. to 4 inches long.
Still, I like them enough
to recommend them.

3. Neoglyphidodon oxyodon,
the neon-velvet damsel:
Same for this one, but worse. When
young, this species has cool looking
neon blue racing stripes on its black
body, but they lose these and turn
completely black as they age, and
can get up to about 6 inches in
length. These are also exceptionally
aggressive, even more so than the
domino damsel, and I say should
never be added to a reef tank.
Neoglyphidodon
melas, the black
damsel:
Okay, I’m starting
to sound like a
broken record here.
This species is also Chromis viridis, the blue-green chromis:
beautiful when small,
but turns solid black Finally, we get to something else that I can recommend. The blue-green chromis is a nice colour, only gets up to
and reaches up to about 3 inches maximum, can be kept in groups, and won’t bother each other or any other sorts of fishes either.
7 inches in length. Nice. On top of that, they also like to hang around near the top of aquariums, rather than constantly hovering
And of course, close to and moving about the rockwork. This species is great for larger/deeper tanks, as a small school of
they can be mean. them can really add to the overall look, instead of having a lot of less-traveled or even empty space at the top.
Close:
All right, that’s enough to give you a
pretty good idea of what the bunch is
Microspathodoon like, and in case you didn’t notice, I only
chrysurus, the recommended a handful out of these spe-
Atlantic jewel cies for reef aquariums. Of course, there
damsel: are so many species that I can’t cover
even a significant percentage of them
Same, again, except here, but you’ve got the basic idea now.
that these will loose
all of their bright So, it’s up to you to do some homework
spots and grow to if you want to try any of these or the oth-
about 8 inches in ers, and I suggest taking a look at:
length. Mean, mean,
mean. Big ones will Fish Base
even take a nip at (www.fishbase.org)
divers that get too Chromis cyanea, the blue chromis:
close, which I’ve and/or Wet Web Media
experienced myself. Another schooler, which can be kept singly if you like, these can also be kept (www.wetwebmedia.com)
in groups and are generally peaceful. This species can reach a maximum
of about 6 inches in length though, so they may get a little bigger than before making any purchases. On these
you would want. Still, if you don’t mind the size, these are a much better sites you’ll able to find some specific in-
choice than the blue devil damsel if you’re looking for something blue. formation about damselfishes’ maximum
sizes, habitat, and diets, etc. to help you
make informed decisions. 