Humbug Dascyllus
From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer
A classic beginner's fish for a new marine aquarium. Scott W. Michael
[edit] Overview
A dramatic, disruptive color pattern, as well as a strong constitution, has made this bold damselfish a favorite in new tanks and a good beginner’s fish.
Family: Pomacentridae
Other common name(s):
- Black and White Damsel
- Fourstriped Damsel
- Whitetail Dascyllus
- Humbug Damsel, Humbug Damselfish
Native range:
Habitat: Reef. In nature, it lives in and near branching stony corals and is most comfortable when given plenty of sheltering places.
Maximum length: 7.9 cm (3 in)
Minimum aquarium size: 114 L (30 gal)
Water: Marine 24 °C (297 K, 75 °F) - 28 °C (301 K, 82 °F)
General swimming level: Mid-level to bottom.
[edit] Feeding
Omnivore. Feed meaty and algae-based foods at least once a day.
[edit] Aquarium Compatibility
This fish will usually hover near a staghorn-type coral colony, real or faux, waiting for food morsels to be swept past by water currents.
[edit] Breeding/Propagation
Demersal (on or near the bottom) spawners that tend and protect their broods.
[edit] Notes
While youngsters make good neighbors, as they get larger, they can often become combative. Placing them in a small tank with smaller, passive species is asking for future troubles. In the wild, these fish live in stable groups consisting of three to 25 individuals. Attempting to replicate this natural social order can be difficult in captivity. Ideally, start with a group of juveniles and allow them to establish a pecking order. The most dominant fish will mature into a male (the subordinates will become females or be asexual). In a small tank, chaos may rule the day and only the most dominant fish will remain. They are good with ornamental invertebrates and will help oxygenate stony coral colonies.
| Common name | Humbug Dascyllus +, Black and White Damsel +, Fourstriped Damsel +, Whitetail Dascyllus +, and Humbug Damsel, Humbug Damselfish + |
| Family | Pomacentridae + |
| Genus | Dascyllus + |
| Image credit | SWM + |
| Maximum length | 3 in + |
| Minimum aquarium size | 30 gal + |
| Native range | Indo-Pacific +, Red Sea +, East Africa +, Marquesas Islands +, Tuamotu Islands +, Japan +, and Australia + |
| Reference | 101 Best Saltwater Fishes + |
| Specific name | aruanus + |
| Swimming level | Mid-level to bottom. + |
| Text credit | SWM + |
| Water max temp | 301 K (28 °C, 82 °F) + |
| Water min temp | 297 K (24 °C, 75 °F) + |
| Water type | Marine + |