Page 243 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

DAMSELFISH 241

Dascyllus melanurus Neoglyphidodon oxyodon
SAFETY IN SHOALING
Blacktail Damsel Black Neon Damsel
Shoaling in a particular area of the reef,
ORIGINS The Pacific region, extending from eastern Asia ORIGINS The Pacific region off the shores of eastern Asia typically close to a “head” of coral, is an
and Australia eastward to the reefs of Oceania. down to Australia, and north to southern Japan. important survival technique used by
SIZE 4 in (10 cm). SIZE 3 in (7.5 cm). damselfish. Rather than relying on just its
DIET All types of marine food. DIET A varied range of marine foods. own senses for survival, each individual
WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline benefits from the combined alertness of
(pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.020–1.024. (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.020–1.024. the group. When danger is detected, the
TEMPERAMENT Bullying can be a problem. TEMPERAMENT Territorial by nature. shoal darts back into the shelter of the
coral, almost as if it were a synchronized
The Black Neon has horizontal wavy blue lines movement. The sudden flash of stripes or
on its head and also farther down the body on its contrasting colors gives added protection,
flanks. A contrasting yellow vertical stipe extends making it difficult for predators to select
over the back. Although the blue stripes may a victim from the mass of fleeing bodies.
become less vivid with age, overall loss of color
in Abudefduf damsels is not necessarily a sign of poor
health, since it can also be associated with male fish
Black
blotch on coming into spawning condition.
caudal fin
The Blacktail is one of
several damselfish with
a predominantly black-and-white striped pattern.
It will sample virtually all types of food, but take
extra care not to overfeed this and other
damselfish in a newly established tank, since rotting
food scraps are likely to seriously decrease the
water quality. Regular monitoring of the water
is essential to safeguard the health of the fish.

Abudefduf sexfasciatus Abudefduf saxatilis
Scissor-Tail Sergeant Major appearance of the adults is virtually identical
around the globe. Differences are most marked in
ORIGINS Northeast coast of Africa, in the northern and ORIGINS Circumtropical range through the Indian and juveniles, with those from the Atlantic being silvery
western parts of the Indian Ocean and in the Red Sea. Pacific Oceans, as well as the Atlantic. and having yellow upperparts to their body. As the
SIZE 6 in (15 cm). SIZE 6 in (15 cm). name suggests, Sergeant Majors may bully other
DIET Flake and other prepared foods. DIET Thawed, fresh, and dried foods. fish, so keeping two together in a relatively small
WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25 –26°C); alkaline WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline aquarium is likely to result in persistent territorial
(pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.020–1.024. (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.020–1.024. disputes. Sergeant Majors are highly valued by
TEMPERAMENT Not to be trusted with its own kind. TEMPERAMENT Forms a dominance hierarchy. marine aquarists, because their readiness to feed
on a wide variety of foods can stimulate other
The huge range of these striped damselfish means fish in the aquarium to sample unfamiliar foods.
that they have been split into three distinct species, Including fresh food in the diet of Sergeant Majors
based essentially on their distribution, although the may help to encourage breeding behavior.

These damsels display a series of bold, vertical
black stripes down the body. There is also a small,
broad stripe at the base of the caudal peduncle,
with black stripes running from here in a more
horizontal fashion along the tail forks. These
features help to distinguish the Scissor-Tail from
similarly patterned species. In addition, the dark
head stripe tends to extend only to the eye, rather
than down to the throat.

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