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Saltwater Damselfish

Pet Rating System:  1= Lowest   5 = Highest

Damselfish	1	2	3	4	5
Ease Of Care
Temperament (Territorial)
Intelligence
Cost of Upkeep
Lifespan

Overall Rating:  1/2

Damselfish are the most common "starter" saltwater aquarium fish.  They are considered good starters because they are inexpensive if lost, they adapt well to a variety of water conditions, and they make colorful additions to any saltwater tank.  We recommend captive bred damsels because they are hardier and it helps protect the reefs from dangerous fishing practices.

A big misconception about damsels is that they get along well with other fish.  Damselfish become very aggressive as adult fish.  This can be a problem if you have added them as a starter fish to stabilize your new tank and then want to add new fish.  When you add any new expensive fish to the tank you may have a territorial problem with the existing damselfish.  To combat this problem, it is best to keep damselfish in small groups of three or four.  We recommend the yellowtail blue damselfish (or Chrysiptera, C. parasema).  This variety of damselfish is among the least aggressive and one of the most beautiful.  Never mix more than one species of damselfish in a tank because they will forever be fighting over territories.  Another tip is when you add new fish, try moving around some of the decorations to help the new fish establish territories.  Damselfish are omnivorous and will eat a wide variety of flake foods.  They also enjoy Brine Shrimp as a treat.  They are a hardy fish that are rarely susceptible to disease and parasites. 

For information on aquarium set-up please use this link 

Many saltwater fish found in pet stores are illegally caught using cyanide squirts which are deadly to the coral reefs, fish and ecosystem.  Be sure to request that your local pet store purchase legally caught or captive bred fish.  For more info on destruction of coral reefs see links to articles at the bottom of this page. 

Articles about reef destruction:

http://www.pbs.org/odyssey/voice/20010606_vfts_transcript.html

http://www.bestfish.com/tips/101598.html

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DISCLAIMER:  The information contained in this website is not intended to be a substitute for Veterinary Care.  If you have any questions or problems, always consult with your Veterinarian.