- Fish. You could try feeding your Damselfish any fish that you can find in the fish market. Just be sure to remove the scales, any sharp parts and fins.
- Shrimp. The shrimp that we can buy from the fish market is also enjoyed by Damselfish. ...
- Crab Meat. Crab meat is low in fat and high in phosphorous. ...
- Mussels. Unlike the other meats on this list, there is a specific way to prepare mussels for storage, so that they do not go bad.
- Flakes, pellets, freeze-dried and frozen food.
- A variedVary diet to ensure proper nutritional balance.
Where do damsels feed?
Small Damsels will feed towards the bottom of the water column whereas larger ones will generally feed higher up the column. There are more than 250 species in the Pomacentridae family. So as you can imagine their appearance can vary a lot from one species to another.
What is the best type of feed for damselfish?
Commercial flakes and pellets that sink to the bottom are great. It is even better if you can find brands that are specially made for Damselfish. They will provide a lot of nutrients.
Can I Feed my damselfish raw shrimp?
Raw shrimp can stay fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months, while shrimp that have been deshelled and boiled can stay good to feed your Damselfish for up to 10 months! Crab meat is low in fat and high in phosphorous. To feed the Damselfish, the meat will need to be removed from its shell, or the Damselfish won’t be able to get to it.
Are damselfish easy to take care of?
Damselfish are a beautiful species that can add life and colour to your aquarium. However, while they’re relatively simple to care for, it’s important to know the breeds to select from and what unique advantages or challenges they’ll each present. Interested in owning one for yourself?
How often should I feed my damsels?
If you just have damsels, I wouldnt feed more than once a day, but more likely I'd only feed 2-3 times a week.
What do you feed a blue damsel?
Vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, Mysis shrimp, cyclops, frozen seafood, and herbivore flakes make a good diet for Blue Damselfish. Including color-enhancing flake foods in the diet helps to keep the fish looking vibrant and beautiful.
How do you take care of a damsel?
The Blue Damselfish is an omnivore, so their diet should be made up of live and frozen meat including brine shrimp, worms, squid, shrimp, copepods, and small pieces of fish. They will also eat flaked foods and some herbivore preparations.
Do damsels eat algae?
Damselfish lack the digestive enzymes to process many kinds of algae, and members of the genus Polysiphonia are some of the few they can eat. The fish also act the gardener (Mr. McGregor, perhaps) in chasing away invaders like the sea urchin, the Peter Rabbit of the damselfish garden.
How long can damselfish go without food?
As far as vacation feeding is concerned, it's generally safe to assume that most healthy (note the emphasis) fish will be fine for a few days to a week or so without eating depending on the species. Beyond that, you'll definitely want to make some accommodation to have the fish fed—even if just every two or three days.
Do damsels get ich?
Yes they get ich. Commonly when they come in from the wholesaler-which obviously agrees with the stress comments. In a stable tank- they seldom will stress enough to be affected.
Do damsels eat copepods?
Copepods are the tiny specs that crawl around on the glass. Dragonettes like the mandarin and the one Paul has pictured eat pods for a living. Halichoeres genus wrasses are amazing hunters, but they need sand. Chrysiptera genus damsels might be a good option.
How long do damsels live in captivity?
Their lifespan is an estimated 6 to 8 years in the wild, though some species may live 10 to 12 years in their natural habitats. In captivity they may live 18 to 20 years. These fish are members of the Pomacentridae family of Damselfish and Anemonefish.
What fish go well with damsels?
To play it safe, stick with species from Chrysiptera like Azure, Talbot, Springer's, Rolland's, Yellowtail, Tracey's, Tuxedo (research, these look very similar to the striped damsels of the Dascyllus genus, you don't wanna end up with a Three-Stripe or Four-Stripe) maybe King (Chrysiptera Rex) demoiselles too.
Do damsels eat nori?
They generally won't touch it unless it is flavored with meat or has meat in it like algae cubes. Your damsel doesn't really need the seaweed. It may eat it, especially if it sees other fish eating it.
What is the most peaceful damselfish?
Chrysiptera talbotiThe talboti or Talbot's damsel, Chrysiptera talboti Very pretty, and quite possibly the most peaceful of all the damsels. This species is highly recommended due to its generally peaceful nature, small size, and hardiness, as well.
Can you mix different damselfish?
You can mix damsels, but a few you listed are monsters. The Azure, yellow tail, and Springer's are all good. Stay in that genus (Chrysiptera). You don't want anything in the Dascyllus genus (domino, white tail, 3/4 stripe), and you don't want any Neoglypidodon (Cross's) either.
What do butterfly fish eat?
Suitable Aquarium Foods Unless otherwise noted in individual species profiles, most all Butterflyfishes can be fed a varied diet of vitamin-enriched marine fish, crustacean, and mollusk flesh, mysid shrimp, and any appropriate frozen preparations suitable for carnivores.
Why is my blue damsel turning white?
At night, their coloring gets much lighter. Their bellies look really light blue/white. It's just something they do. Nothing to worry about.
What fish can live with damsels?
To play it safe, stick with species from Chrysiptera like Azure, Talbot, Springer's, Rolland's, Yellowtail, Tracey's, Tuxedo (research, these look very similar to the striped damsels of the Dascyllus genus, you don't wanna end up with a Three-Stripe or Four-Stripe) maybe King (Chrysiptera Rex) demoiselles too.
Can damselfish live in freshwater?
Most damselfish species exist only in marine environments, but a few inhabit brackish or fresh water. These fish are found globally in tropical, subtropical, and temperate waters.
What are the best foods for a damselfish?
Peas. Peas are great for Damselfish’s digestive systems. They help in preventing constipation and swim bladder disorders that arise due to constipation. Peas should be boiled and their shells should be removed. The soft peas should then be chopped up into tiny pieces, so the Damselfish can swallow them easily.
How much freeze dried food should I feed my damselfish?
When dehydrated, foods reduce in mass and weight by about 3 times. So if you’re feeding 5 grams of freeze-dried food, you’re feeding the equivalent of about 15 grams of the same food, if it were not dehydrated.
How to freeze dried tubeworms?
They are packed in the form of small cubes. These cubes can be put in a bowl of water for a couple of minutes to soften up and rehydrate a little before putting them in the tank for your Damselfish to gobble up. Or, you could squish the cube between your finger and the aquarium wall, under the water level. Doing this will also rehydrate them a little.
What is freeze dried food?
Freeze-dried foods are basically live foods that have been dried by being frozen. They offer the same nutritional benefits as fresh, live food. Unlike live food, they don’t require any special care and can be stored in the freezer for weeks and they will still be good enough to feed your Damselfish with.
How big is a damselfish ball?
These are very high in protein, and are great for your Damselfish. They curl up very close to each other and form a ball. This ball could be just 1 inch wide and have well over a thousand tiny individuals! A hungry Damselfish will not be able to resist a ball of these guys wiggling on the aquarium floor!
What are some good foods to eat to boost your immune system?
Broccoli. These can be given steamed or boiled, and then chopped up. They contain Vitamins C and K, fibre, iron and potassium. They barely contain any fat, and are great for boosting the immune systems of Damselfish.
Where can I find Damselfish bloodworms?
A hungry Damselfish will not be able to resist a ball of these guys wiggling on the aquarium floor! They can be found online, at a local aquarium shop, or the place where live bait is sold for catching fish. Your supplier could be a commercial bloodworm breeder, or could be catching them from local water bodies.
What fish can you have with Damselfish?
Damselfish can make good tankmates to peaceful fish such as gobies, dartfish, and fairy wrasses, as long as there is ample space for all your fish. Also make sure the peaceful fish are established in your tank first.
How many gallons of water should I use for a damselfish?
You should use a large tank of at least 100 gallons (378.5 liters) so that your damselfish can establish their own territory.
How much space do damselfish need?
Damselfish require a good amount of space. If you are keeping only a mated pair of damselfish and no other fish, the tank should be at least 20 gallons (75.7 liters) in volume. A tank housing more damselfish than that, as well as other types of fish, should be at least 45 gallons (170.3 liters) in volume, with at least 15 gallons (56.8 liters) ...
What are the different types of damselfish?
Types of Damselfish. There are several different types of damselfish, from the highly aggressive blue devil damselfish to the generally peaceful Talbot’s damselfish, and many others. This guide will focus on some of the more peaceful species, which should adjust to life in your tank easily.
Why do damselfish fish need a water filter?
It is also important to have a water filter to keep the water clean and safe for your fish, and to create currents for gas exchange and removal of waste products.
How big do Azure Damselfish get?
They can grow up to 2.75 inches (6.99 cm) long.
What is a damselfish fish?
Damselfish are a omnivorous saltwater fish species that belong to the family Pomacentridae. In the wild, they mostly feed on plankton and are a coral reef-dwelling species, related to clownfish. Some members of this family are called chromis, but they are still grouped under the term ‘damselfish.’. Many damselfish species are popular fish ...
What type of water do damselfish use?
It goes without saying that since most of the variants of a Damselfish are saltwater species, you need to use marine water in the tank.
How long do damselfish live?
The highly aggressive variants of Damselfish tend to live longer than the moderately aggressive ones. This fish can live up to 10-12 years, which is pretty long for an aquarium species. In fact, some variants of this fish can live up to 18-20 years.
What is the best fish to keep in an aquarium?
Hardy by nature and great to look at, Damselfish are an excellent choice of pet for your aquarium. As long as you are not obsessed with keeping multiple different kinds of fish in your tank, they will serve you good since they don’t bore well with intrusion from other species, owing to their aggressive nature. We hope our care guide has put you in a better position to take care of them. So, choose from their many variants and bring this amazing fish to your home.
Why do damselfish die?
Probably the biggest reason for death or illness in Damselfish is due to a high exposure to ammonia over a long period of time . It leads to their body transforming to a dark color and/or spots on their tail and eventual death.
Where is the Domino Damselfish native to?
The Domino Damselfish (Dascyllus trimaculatus) grows up to a length of 5” (12 cm). It is also known as Threespot Dascyllus because of the spots on its body. Having a distinct look from most of the other variants of Damselfish, it is extremely aggressive in nature. It is native to the Indo-Pacific region, mainly in the Red Sea, East Africa, Pitcairn Islands, Australia, and Japan.
What color are damselfish?
Damselfish are known for their deep-colored bodies that can range anywhere between blue, red, yellow and orange. Some are even monochromatic in appearance, meaning they only come in black and/or white.
Do damselfish eat algae?
Although Damselfish are algae-eaters in themselves, you also need to regularly clean your tank. Please remember that you can never use soap-based or other similar harsh chemicals to clean your tank since their residues are harmful to your Damselfish.
Where do damselfish live?
parasema. It comes from the Central Indo-Pacific where it inhabits, in large numbers, areas around dense coral growths. It gets to about 3 inches in length. It’s another readily available species in the trade and is always inexpensive, especially considering its beautiful electric-blue body and yellow tail. As with most damselfish it thrives on meaty foods, e.g., mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, shredded marine-fish or crustacean flesh, cyclops, and enriched flake foods.
Where does the black tail damselfish fish come from?
melanurus, the black-tail or striped damselfish. It hails from the Central Indo-Pacific and generally inhabits lagoons and bays. It’s often confused with D. aruanus, however this species has four black bands whereas D. aruanus has three. It only gets about 3 inches, but otherwise it shares the same traits.
Where do jewel damselfish fish live?
Moving into the subfamily Pomacentrinae, and keeping with the few “terror” subjects mentioned above, I want to mention Microspathodon chrysurus, the jewel damselfish, which hails from the Tropical West Atlantic from Florida to Brazil and gets to about 7 inches. I’ve had only one—but that was probably one too many. As a juvenile these fish are a very pretty deep blue with iridescent blue spots on their body, hence the common name. As it grows larger the spots become smaller and the body coloration changes to a yellowish-brown. Not only does it lose its pretty appearance, but it will occasionally feed upon coral polyps, and that’s besides it being a terror in mixed-company aquariums where inhabitants are mild mannered. Forewarned is forearmed.
Do damselfishes eat fish?
Most damselfishes are extremely hardy, colorful, lively, disease resistant, inexpensive, and will eat most typical aquarium foods. Those are their good points. Unfortunately some hobbyists, especially those new to the hobby, don’t realize how territorial some species are and how important it is to consider the order in which they should be placed in the aquarium (i.e., first fish, in-between additions, or the last fish to be added).
What Family Is The Damselfish From?
It would be pleasing for Damselfish lovers to know that there are about 200 species of fishes similar to this one. These fish all belong to the Pomacentridae fish subfamily and are mainly concentrated to the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Further, the majority of these fish are salt water fishes.
How Big Do They Grow?
The largest of the Damselfish family as a fully grown adult can grow up to 12 inches long. However, the average fish from this family grows to a mere 3 inches in length. Damsels have an average lifespan of 6 tob8 years in the wild. However, as the saying goes: "the strongest ones are the ones that will survive" holds true in the wild.
Are They Aggressive?
Unfortunately, we are here to tell you that all of the scary stories you have heard about the Damselfish is probably true. Damselfish is very territorial and can become aggressive if it feels threatened or if it feels like it habitat is much invaded. This fish will go after other fish and inflict tiny but consistent biting wounds on fishes who are intruders. The fish who particularly stands out for aggressive behaviour is the Domino Damsel so if you plan to keep this one, you need to be careful as it could wreak havoc in your aquarium amongst other fishes. One way on combating aggressive behaviour is by ensuring every fish has adequate space to roam and crevices to hide. If placed in small aquariums the problem of aggression can become a big issue.
What Food Do Damselfish Eat?
There seems to be some level of confusion as it relates to the fish primarily diet.
What Do They Look Like?
For this section, we will try to be as general as possible because of the vast variety of fishes in this specie. Generally, the Damselfish have cavernous bodies and wide tails and they are often either red yellow or blue. This being said, when buying a Damsel, you need to do proper research into the breed/specie.
What Are The Popular Varieties Of Damselfish?
The Blue Damselfish is the most popular, especially in the US and is the most sold saltwater fish.
What Are Their Tank Requirements?
Since most Damselfish grow to a maximum of 3 inches long, a smaller to medium size aquarium or tank will do just fine in housing your fish. But you need to ensure your tank is brightly coloured and beautiful with lots of vegetation.
How many gallons of water do you need for a damselfish?
However other types of Damselfish can grow up to 12 inches so would need at least 100 gallon tank .
What is a damsel fish?
The Damselfish are renowned for their bright colors, hardiness and ease to keep. It’s important to mention that the Damselfish is an extremely large group of fish and as a result each species of Damsel has their own quirks and individuality. For this reason, in this guide to Damselfish, we will speak in generality of the species whilst giving ...
What temperature should a damselfish tank be?
Following our example of the Blue Damselfish, the water temperature should be between 73°F to 81°F. pH levels should be between 8.1-8.4, with a specific gravity of 1.020-1.025.
How big does a blue damselfish get?
It will grow up to 3 inches in length and is bright blue in color. Males will have a yellow tail and snout, whereas juveniles and females don’t tend to have the yellow highlights. Interestingly, when threatened, the Blue Damselfish can turn almost completely black in a matter of seconds.
How big do damselfish fish get?
Their natural environment is in tropical coral reefs and they are lively and active fish. The majority of Damselfish grow to around 3 inches in length however large species, such as the Garibaldi, can grow up to 12 inches long. They are well known for their bright colors and aggressive, territorial nature.
How big do domino damsels get?
The domino Damselfish, also known as the three spot or Dascyllus trimaculatus, is named because of the white spots on its body. It will grow to 5 inches in size, but beware it is particularly aggressive and should be kept with care.
What color are damselfish?
One of the most well-known features of Damselfish is their vibrant color, ranging from red, yellow to blue.
Overview
Typical Appearance and Behavior
- Can be very territorial toward same species. Damsels become more territorial as they age
- Damsels like to hide in or near a cave, coral or crevice, darting out to defend territory or capture food
- Damsels inhabit all levels of the aquarium
- Some damsels change color as they mature from juveniles to adults
Habitat
- Habitat size
A minimum of 29 gallonsis recommended for smaller-sized adult damsels. A larger aquarium will be needed for larger species. - Building your habitat
1. Water health -Provide proper filtration to ensure optimal water quality to help maintain health. Moderate to strong water circulation, based on species, should be provided to mimic water currents found in the damsel’s natural habitat. Stable water quality (pH, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite…
Feeding
- What to feed your damsel
A well-balanced damsel diet consists of: 1. Flakes, pellets, freeze-dried and frozen food 2. A variedVary diet to ensure proper nutritional balance Things to remember when feeding your damsel: 1. Depending on species and size, feed small amounts two to three times daily, no mor…
Damsel Care
- Water care: Maintaining great water quality with regular water changes and adequate filtration is important to help keep your damsels healthy
- Avoid overcrowded conditions as this is a major cause of stress and disease. Maintain good water quality with regular water changes and adequate filtration
Where to Buy
- In store and online Damsels are available for purchase at Petco online and in store; availability varies by location. If visiting your local location, call ahead to check availability.
Supplies
Tank Mates
- Compatible with: 1. Anthias 2. Clownfish 3. Dwarf and large angelfish 4. Blennies 5. Basslets 6. Hawkfish 7. Foxface/rabbitfish 8. Dartfish 9. Gobies 10. Butterflyfish 11. Hogfish 12. Pseudochromis 13. Puffers 14. Tangs 15. Wrasse Can be compatible with some cardinalfish.
Health
- Signs of a healthy fish
1. Clear eyes 2. Healthy appetite 3. Active swimming 4. Fins completely intact and undamaged 5. Bright, even coloring 6. Free of parasites or disease - Red flags
1. Loss of color or appetite 2. Spots or fungus on body or mouth 3. Listlessness 4. Labored breathing 5. Cloudy eyes 6. Weight loss 7. Erratic swimming 8. Frayed fins
FAQs
- What do damsel fish eat?Damsels should be offered a variety of flakes, pellets, freeze-dried and frozen diets
- Can damsels live with clownfish?Some damsel and clownfish species can make good tank mates if provided enough space. Always research compatibility when selecting new fish to add to the aquarium.