Damsel Fish

If you are looking for a hardy, beginner fish, a damsel or chromis may be in your future. The damselfishes belonging to the genus Chromis are generally small, exceedingly hardy shoaling fishes. They are generally more peaceful than the other in the category refered to as damsels. Damselfish and Chromis are often used to break in or cycle a new aquarium. It is important to remember that even though these fish are hardy and can handle the adverse conditions of a new aquarium, thee Damsels will become quite aggressive among themselves, and toward other tankmates over time.

The range of colors combined with their propensity for constantly swimming in the water column, make them an excellent addition to most saltwater tanks. Damselfish and Chromis will ignore invertebrates in the aquarium and feed on small size fish food, zooplankton and algae. A varied diet of meaty items such as mysid shrimp and vitamin-enriched shrimp, herbivore flakes, and frozen preparations should be offered.

Jewel Damselfish
Microspathodon chrysurus

Description: The Jewel Damselfish, also known as Jewelfish, is black with sparkling blue dots that look like the night sky with stars shining. It is a good fish for beginners. Its hardiness and size make it one of the most popular saltwater aquarium starter fish.
Recommended minimum tank size: A tank of at least 30 gallons is recommended.
Food and diet: Frozen or live brine shrimp, plankton, mysis shrimp, green algae.
Level of Care: Easy
Reef Compatibility:Very good reef tank or community fish.Excellent in groups!
Approximate Purchase Size: 3/4" to 1-1/2"

$15.99

Neon Velvet Damselfish
Neoglyphidodon oxyodon

Description: The Neon Velvet Damselfish , is black with small blue stripes and one large vertical white stripe. It is a good fish for beginners, and makes an ideal companion fish for a saltwater tank of over 30 gallons, and a great companion for reefs and invertebrate tanks. Its hardiness and small size make it one of the most common fish used for cycling a saltwater tank.
Recommended minimum tank size: A tank of at least 30 gallons is recommended.
Food and diet: A hardy aquarium fish, accepting a wide variety of prepared foods; live brine shrimp, plankton, mysis shrimp, green algae.
Reef Compatible: An excellent reef aquarium species because it will not bother invertebrates.
Approximate Purchase Size: 3/4" to 1-1/2"

$15.99

Australian Orangetail Damselfish
Chrysiprera cyanea

Description: The Australian Orangetail Damsel fish is probably the highest demand damsel fish sold in the United States. These Australian beauties, are a good hardy fish for beginners, and perfect for reef , fish only, or invertebrate tanks.
Recommended minimum tank size: A tank of at least 30 gallons is recommended.
Food and diet: A hardy aquarium fish, accepting a wide variety of prepared foods; live brine shrimp, plankton, mysis shrimp, green algae.
Reef Compatible: An excellent reef aquarium species because it will not bother invertebrates.
Approximate Purchase Size: 3/4" to 1-1/2"

$19.99

Domino Damselfish
Chrysyptera cyanea

Description: The Domino Damselfish, also known as the Three Spot Damselfish, is so named due to the three white spots on its black body. It matures into an aggressive adult whose bright spots fade with age. Somewhat aggressive, its home should be able to easily accommodate multiple specimens. It is a good fish for beginners, and makes an ideal companion fish for a saltwater tank of over 30 gallons, and a great companion for reefs and invertebrate tanks. Its hardiness and small size make it one of the most common fish used for cycling a saltwater tank.
Recommended minimum tank size: A tank of at least 30 gallons is recommended.
Food and diet: A hardy aquarium fish, accepting a wide variety of prepared foods; live brine shrimp, plankton, mysis shrimp, green algae.
Reef Compatible: An excellent reef aquarium species because it will not bother invertebrates.
Approximate Purchase Size: 3/4" to 1-1/2"

$6.99

Electric Blue Damselfish
Pomacentrus Coelestis

Description: The Electric Blue Damsel fish is somewhat aggressive, its home should be able to easily accommodate multiple specimens. It is a good fish for beginners, and makes an ideal companion fish for a saltwater tank of over 30 gallons, and a great companion for reefs and invertebrate tanks. Its hardiness and small size make it one of the most common fish used for cycling a saltwater tank.
Recommended minimum tank size: A tank of at least 30 gallons is recommended.
Food and diet: A hardy aquarium fish, accepting a wide variety of prepared foods; live brine shrimp, plankton, mysis shrimp, green algae.
Reef Compatible: An excellent reef aquarium species because it will not bother invertebrates.
Approximate Purchase Size: 3/4" to 1-1/2"

$10.99

3 Stripe Damselfish
Dascyllus aruanus

Description: The 3 Stripe Damsel fish is somewhat aggressive, its home should be able to easily accommodate multiple specimens. It is a good fish for beginners, and makes an ideal companion fish for a saltwater tank of over 30 gallons, and a great companion for reefs and invertebrate tanks. Its hardiness and small size make it one of the most common fish used for cycling a saltwater tank.
Recommended minimum tank size: A tank of at least 30 gallons is recommended.
Food and diet: A hardy aquarium fish, accepting a wide variety of prepared foods; live brine shrimp, plankton, mysis shrimp, green algae.
Reef Compatible: An excellent reef aquarium species because it will not bother invertebrates.
Approximate Purchase Size: 3/4" to 1-1/2"

$6.99

Blue Damselfish
Abudefdul cyaneus

Beautiful Electric Blue Color!!!

Description: One of the best selling marine fish in the United States, begining hobbyists love the Blue Damselfish because of its hardiness and small size, while advanced aquarists enjoy the activity and beautiful coloration brings to the aquarium. For survival the Blue Damselfish has the ability to hide in tiny places and darken its coloration to an almost black color. After the threat is gone, the Blue Damselfish will return to its electric blue color in a matter of seconds.
Recommended Tank size: A good fish for beginners and an ideal companion fish for saltwater aquariums of over 30 gallons.
Food and diet:The diet of the Blue Damselfish should consist of flaked and frozen foods, and herbivore preparations.
Reef Compatability: The Blue Damselfish is a great choice for reef aquariums with invertebrates.
Level of Care: Easy
Approximate Purchase Size: 3/4" to 1-1/2"

$6.99

Blackmouth Bicolor Chromis
Paraglyphidodon Nigoris

Description: Chromis are related to damselfish and clownfish, but are typically less aggressive. They enjoy being in a school of three or more, and make a spectacular display in large numbers. Chromis are ideal fish for the reef aquarium, since they will not bother invertebrates and corals.The Blackmouth Bicolor chromis is passive and should be kept in schools of three or more.
Tank Requirements:It makes an ideal companion fish for a saltwater tank of over 20 gallons, and a great fish for reefs and invertebrate tanks.
Diet: Accepts a wide variety of prepared foods; live brine shrimp, plankton, mysis shrimp, green algae.
Reef Compatability: An excellent reef aquarium species because it will not bother invertebrates.
Level of Care: A good fish for beginners, easy
Approximate Purchase Size: 3/4" to 1-1/2"

$14.99

Blue Green Chromis
Chromis viridis

Description: The Blue Green Reef Chromis is found in schools throughout the Indo-Pacific reefs and in the Red Sea. A hardy fish , it is commonly kept long term, in small schools. A great beginner fish, and a terrific fish to learn the hobby with. It may also be included in larger schools in show tanks. It is also one of the fish often selected as a tank-cycling fish. A peaceful fish, the Blue Green Reef Chromis is more mild mannered than other inexpensive beginner fish. Blue Green Reef Chromis will live many years in an aquarium with good water quality.
Recommended minimum tank size: A tank of at least 20 gallons is recommended.
Food and diet: Accepts a wide variety of prepared foods; live brine shrimp, plankton, mysis shrimp, green algae.
Reef Compatible: An excellent reef aquarium species because it will not bother invertebrates.
Approximate Purchase Size: 1" to 1-1/2"

Starting at $7.99

Blue Reef Chromis
Chromis cyaneus

Description: The Blue Reef Chromis is found throughout the Atlantic along reefs. A hardy fish , it is commonly kept long term, in small schools. A great beginner fish, and a terrific fish to learn the hobby with. It may also be included in larger schools in show tanks. It is also one of the fish often selected as a tank-cycling fish. A peaceful fish, it will live many years in an aquarium with good water quality.
Recommended minimum tank size: A tank of at least 20 gallons is recommended.
Food and diet: Accepts a wide variety of prepared foods; live brine shrimp, plankton, mysis shrimp, green algae.
Reef Compatible: An excellent reef aquarium species because it will not bother invertebrates.
Approximate Purchase Size: 3/4" to 1-1/2"
Warning: Advanced Aquarist Item, Not guaranteed
The Blue Reef Chromis is beautiful, but not as hardy as the remaining chromis and damsels, therefore it is not guaranteed. Order at your own risk, if you feel lucky...

$12.99

Australian Tasmanian Devil
Chrysiptera taupou

Description: The Australian Tasmanian Devil Damsel is a larger, nicer variant of Chrysiptera taupou. Australian specimens are well known for their 'extra nice' color, which is nicer than the photo shown, primarily because Australia collects big nice fish! Still, it's a small fish, around 1.5"-2". It is blue over much of its body, with a yellow tail and a yellow belly. Like most damsels, it is an aggressive little fish that is ideally suited to the aquarium. This damsel may bother smaller, peaceful fish tankmates (especially in a smaller tank). Keep only one per tank and only with other bold species such as larger pseudochromis angelfish and triggerfish. Provide with plenty of hiding places.
Recommended minimum tank size: A tank of at least 20 gallons is recommended.
Food and diet: Accepts a wide variety of prepared foods; live brine shrimp, plankton, mysis shrimp, green algae.
Reef Compatible: An excellent reef aquarium species because it will not bother invertebrates.
Approximate Purchase Size: 3/4" to 1-1/2"

$27.99

Garabaldi Damsel
Hypsypops rubicunda

Description: The Garibaldi is unique. A great aquarium fish, it retains its vivid orange color as it grows. Seldom available, typically no more than a few times a year, and they sell in an instant. Comning from the Eastern Central Pacific Ocean, it is one of the largest fish in the damselfish family. The Garibaldi Damselfish is a striking orange color, and as a juvenile, is marked with many blue spots. The fins of the juvenile are also outlined in blue adding to its beauty. The Garibaldi Damselfish grows very large and is an extremely long-lived fish, with a lifespan of up to 25 years. This fish requires an aquarium of at least 50 gallons with plenty of live rock for territories. They are extremely aggressive towards their own kind, and only one of this species should be kept in the same aquarium.
Recommended minimum tank size: A tank of at least 50 gallons is recommended.
Food and diet: Accepts a wide variety of prepared foods; live brine shrimp, plankton, mysis shrimp, green algae.
Reef Compatible: An excellent reef aquarium species
Approximate Purchase Size:Small 1"-2" , Medium 2"-3", Large 4"- 5"

Starting at $119.99

Sunshine Chromis
Chromis Insolatus

Description: The Sunshine Chromis is a species rarely seen in the aquiarium trade. It is light pink to a lavender with yellow down its head and dorsal spine.A peaceful schooling fish, the Sunshine Chromis makes a great addition to the mini-reef aquarium. These Caribbean beauties, are a good hardy fish for beginners, and perfect for reef , fish only, or invertebrate tanks.
Recommended minimum tank size: A tank of at least 20 gallons is recommended.
Food and diet: A hardy aquarium fish, accepting a wide variety of prepared foods; live brine shrimp, plankton, mysis shrimp, green algae.
Reef Compatible: An excellent reef aquarium species because it will not bother invertebrates.
Approximate Purchase Size: 3/4" to 1-1/2"

$21.99

Starcki Damselfish (Australia)
Chrysiptera starcki

Description: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 Starck's Demoiselle or Starcki Damsel is a beautiful fish. An excellent aquarium pet as it is easy to keep, hardy, and quite disease resistant. This species does not keep its brilliant blue in the aquarium all the time, sometimes it gets darker or deep blue, but the contrast between its two different colors is always quite attractive. This damsel will work equally well in a fish only tank or a reef aquarium. Provide a rock / coral decor that has many nooks and crannies for hiding and retreat as this will help avert aggression
Recommended minimum tank size: A tank of at least 20 gallons is recommended.
Food and diet: A hardy aquarium fish, accepting a wide variety of prepared foods; live brine shrimp, plankton, mysis shrimp, green algae.
Reef Compatible: An excellent reef aquarium species because it will not bother invertebrates.
Approximate Purchase Size: 11/4" to 2"

$49.99

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Using Other Brands:
Even some hard to feed marine fish will eat New Life Spectrum fish food. Pellets are designed with no dust and will stay in the water for hours without disintegrating, reducing pollution.
New Life Spectrum is suitable for omnivorous, herbivorous, and many carnivorous fish. Ounce-for-ounce, New Life Spectrum provides far better nutrition than flake food, and is less-expensive relative to weight.
- High-quality easily digestible krill & fish meal protein
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Click here for more information on the importance of phytoplankton for your corals

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Photos are representative of each species. Each animal is unique and variations should be expected.

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Please note: Aquatic Connection will not guarantee the coloration of corals as seen in your reef system.

Reason? Not all corals from our tanks and lighting will look the same when they are in your tanks. Everybody's tanks have different lighting setups, spectrums, combinations, etc. Aquatic Connection's tanks are lit by 400 watt 20K Halide bulbs. We use this combination for best growth. But for best viewing this is not the best lighting choice. Aquatic Connection photographs all polyps under Actinic only lighting. This brings out the true zoanthilia and protopalythoa colors. If your tank consists of all daylight (10K's, 14K's etc.) with minimal actinic lighting, your not going to see the vibrant true colors. We suggest you add true actinic lamps also and turn these on in the evening without the daylight lighting for proper color viewing.