Blue Damselfish

Care

This dazzling electric blue species makes for an eye-catching addition to the reef aquarium. In smaller aquaria, it is best to maintain Blue Damselfish in a known male-female pair, but in more spacious aquaria, a large group consisting of one male and several females may be kept if introduced simultaneously. This species is relatively hardy, is safe with invertebrates and a natural multitude of hiding places amongst the rockwork and coral life in a typical reef set up will serve them well. Unfortunately, as they mature, they can tend to become aggressive towards some placid species, such as blennies, cardinalfish, firefish and small gobies (particularly the male Blue Damselfish), so tankmates must be chosen with care. Newcomers to the tank may be harassed, so it is best to make Blue Damselfishes the last addition to the aquarium. Mature male fish sport a bright yellow-orange tail and are sometimes seen on sale as the Micronesian Orange Tail.

Feeding

Offer a varied diet consisting of small frozen foods such as Spirulina-enriched brineshrimp, Mysis shrimp and finely chopped krill, plus marine flake food and herbivore rations. Feed small amounts 3 times per day. Will graze upon some types of algae.

Breeding

This species often spawns in captivity, although rearing the fry is problematic.