Posted on : 14-08-2009 | By : Ryan Gripp | In : Damselfish, ReefBuilders
0
Here is another reason to hate Damselfish if you needed another reason. As Mark Vermeij goes on to describe: “Damselfish are these little fish and what they do is they make little yards on the bottom of the reef,” says marine biologist Mark Vermeij. These yards — or pastures, you could call them — are patches of algae that the fish actually farm right on the coral. “And in order to make a place for one of these yards, they basically kill the coral,” Vermeij says. “So they go to the coral, they start sucking on little polyps until they die. And then when that happens, little algae establish on that died-off patch.” The three-spot damsel fish is one such species that makes these little “yards” that is playing havoc on reefs. “There are rainbow parrot fish, almost a meter long, and this damselfish that’s not much bigger than a goldfish just comes out. This parrotfish is aiming at feeding in that guy’s little meadow. And the little damselfish just comes out and scares that thing away. They’re aggressive as hell.” Damselfish always reminded me of a jerk, the kind that steal your parking spot even though you clearly have your blinker on waiting for the other car to pull out. I hate jerks. I’m sure I will get the Damelfish federation police on me now, but seriously they don’t need to be killed, just left out in the ocean so they can get eaten by Graysbys. Lots and lots of Graysbys.
Read
Thanks Jeremy H!
Other items you might enjoy:
Post from: Reef Builders
Damselfish are destroying reefs, need their predators back
Damselfish are destroying reefs, need their predators back
Starcki Damsel
(Chrysiptera starki)
QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 3″
Color Form: Blue, Yellow
Diet: Omnivore
Origin: Fiji, Melanesia
Family: Pomacentridae
The Starcki Damsel, also known as the Starck’s Demoiselle, comes from the reefs of the Coral Sea. This damsel is bright blue, with the dorsal side of the fish colored in an energizing yellow. The tail and the lower part of the jaw are also yellow. This is a very active fish that will add movement to any marine aquarium.
The Starcki Damsel is a good choice for beginners since it is less aggressive and does not need as large of a tank as many of the other damselfish. These damsels are aggressive towards their own kind and only one per aquarium should be kept, unless the aquarium is very large. It will ignore invertebrates in the aquarium and feeds on zooplankton and algae, which makes it a good fish for the reef aquarium.
A varied diet of meaty items such as mysis shrimp and vitamin-enriched brine shrimp should be offered.
Shop for Starcki Damselfish at LiveAquaria.com
Pink Smith Damselfish
(Pomacentrus smithi)
QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
Lighting: High
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 3″
Color Form: Red, White
Diet: Omnivore
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Family: Pomacentridae
Reproduction: Egg Depositor
Swim Level: All
The Pink Smith Damselfish, also known as Smith’s Damselfish, has a shiny silvertone to white body with pink highlighting the outline.
A small group should reside in a 30 gallon or larger aquarium with live rock and other hiding places to break up the territories.
It is an omnivore, eating anything from algae to meaty foods.
Shop for Pink Smith Damselfish at LiveAquaria.com
Neon Damselfish
(Pomacentrus alleni)
QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
Lighting: High
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 2½”
Color Form: Blue, Green, Orange
Diet: Omnivore
Origin: Fiji
Family: Pomacentridae
Reproduction: Egg Depositor
Swim Level: All
The Neon Damselfish is also known as Allen’s Damselfish and the Allen’s Pomacentrus. It was named after Dr. Gerald Allen, the icthyologist who is recognized as the world’s authority on damselfishes.
This slender fish is neon blue with a blending of yellow near the bottom of the body down into the anal fin. Pomacentrus coelestis, which is similar in appearance, may also be called the Neon Damselfsih.
It is a semi-aggressive fish that requires hiding places in a 20 gallon or larger aquarium.
The Neon Damselfish diet should include a variety of meaty foods, herbivore preparations, and flaked foods.
Shop for Neon Damselfish at LiveAquaria.com
Golden Domino Damselfish
(Dascyllus auripinnis)
QUICK STATS
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F
Max. Size: 4″
Color Form: Black, White, Yellow
Diet: Omnivore
Family: Pomacentridae
The Golden Domino Damselfish, also known as the Yellow Domino Damselfish, Threespot or Yellow Dascyllus. This species is so named due to the three white spots on its yellow and black body. This variation of the standard Domino Damsel is highly sought after for its unique coloration.
A 30 gallon aquarium or larger with plenty of live rock and décor is ideal. Because it can tolerate substandard water parameters, it is a popular fish among beginning hobbyists. A small group of juvenile Golden Domino Damselfish will add color and drama to most marine aquariums. Maintain this species with other semi-aggressive or aggressive fish, as they will become territorial as they mature.
The Golden Domino Damselfish feeds on a variety of meaty foods, herbivore preparations, and flaked foods.
Shop for Golden Domino Damselfish at LiveAquaria.com
