Starck's Damsel Care Guide
Chrysiptera starcki is a deeper-water western Pacific damselfish, blue with a yellow dorsal stripe, relatively peaceful and reef-safe.
Overview
Chrysiptera starcki is a marine damselfish of the family Pomacentridae from the western Pacific. The body is blue with a yellow stripe running along the back. It is generally peaceful for a damsel and reef-safe, originating from cooler, deeper reef habitats than most tropical damsels.
Taxonomy
- Family: Pomacentridae
- Genus: Chrysiptera
- Scientific name: Chrysiptera starcki
- Common name: Starck's damsel, Starck's demoiselle
Habitat
The species ranges from the Ryukyu Islands and Taiwan to Queensland, New Caledonia and Tonga. FishBase records it from rocky outcrops and crevices in sand channels on outer reef slopes at depths of about 20-60 m, deeper than many reef damsels. It is diurnal.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 200 L
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Carbonate hardness (dKH): 8-12
- Specific gravity: 1.024-1.026
- Maximum size: about 7-9 cm
- Lifespan: 5-10 years
Reef compatibility
Chrysiptera starcki is reef-safe and does not harm corals or invertebrates. Its deeper-reef origin means it appreciates rockwork with crevices and hiding places.
Diet
In the wild it feeds on plankton, including both zooplankton and phytoplankton. In aquaria it readily accepts a range of foods such as marine flakes, pellets and frozen mysis and brine shrimp, offered about twice daily.
Compatibility
It is comparatively peaceful toward unrelated species when kept singly but becomes very aggressive when defending a territory or eggs, and two individuals housed together will fight. Suitable companions include tangs and wrasses, with triggers added only with caution; slow or shy fish and additional damsels in small tanks should be avoided.
Breeding
The species forms pairs to breed, with males displaying to attract females, establishing and defending territories, and guarding the eggs. Captive breeding is considered difficult.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern, assessed in 2021.