Hawaiian Dascyllus Care Guide
Dascyllus albisella is a damselfish endemic to the Hawaiian Islands and Johnston Island, with dark juveniles bearing a white side spot and greyer adults.
Overview
Dascyllus albisella is a marine damselfish of the family Pomacentridae, described by Gill in 1862. According to FishBase it is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands and Johnston Island in the eastern central Pacific. Juveniles are dark with a conspicuous white side spot, while adults become greyer; the species is also known as the Hawaiian domino.
Taxonomy
- Family: Pomacentridae
- Genus: Dascyllus
- Scientific name: Dascyllus albisella
- Author: Gill, 1862
Habitat
FishBase records the species from reef-associated waters of Hawaii and Johnston Island at depths of about 1 to 50 metres. It occupies shallow, protected waters over coral and rock, and young fish often shelter among the branches of Pocillopora coral.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 200 L
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Specific gravity: typical reef salinity (KB GH range 8-12)
- Size: 10-12 cm (FishBase max 13.0 cm TL)
- Lifespan: 5-10 years
Diet
The species is an omnivore. FishBase reports that it feeds on zooplankton, benthic invertebrates and algae. In aquaria a varied diet of marine frozen foods, planktonic feeds and prepared rations is appropriate.
Compatibility
It is a territorial damselfish that occupies the middle water column. It can be aggressive, particularly in smaller tanks, so it suits robust tank mates such as tangs and wrasses rather than slow or shy fish. Keeping multiple damsels together in a small system is not recommended.
Breeding
Dascyllus albisella is an oviparous egg-layer with distinct pairing during breeding. FishBase reports that the eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate, and that males guard and aerate the nest. Wikipedia notes that males provide the principal parental care of the brood.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 11 July 2022). FishBase notes the species enters both commercial fisheries and the aquarium trade.