Black-Tail Dascyllus Care Guide
Dascyllus melanurus is a Western Pacific damselfish resembling D. aruanus but with a fourth black bar on the tail; territorial and aggressive with age.
Overview
Dascyllus melanurus is a marine damselfish of the family Pomacentridae, described by Bleeker in 1854. According to FishBase it occurs in the western Pacific from Sumatra to Vanuatu, north to the Ryukyu Islands and south to New Caledonia. It resembles the three-stripe damsel but carries an additional black bar at the tail, giving four black bands in total.
Taxonomy
- Family: Pomacentridae
- Genus: Dascyllus
- Scientific name: Dascyllus melanurus
- Author: Bleeker, 1854
Habitat
FishBase records the species from sheltered lagoons, harbours and inlets, where it associates with isolated coral heads at depths of about 1 to 68 metres. Wikipedia notes that juveniles school in groups while adults become increasingly territorial. It is a reef-associated marine fish of the western Pacific.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 150 L
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Specific gravity: typical reef salinity (KB GH range 8-12)
- Size: 7-8 cm (FishBase max 8.0 cm TL)
- Lifespan: 5-10 years
Diet
The species is an omnivore. FishBase reports that it feeds on diverse plankton including larval shrimps and crabs, algae, ostracods, amphipods, pelagic tunicates, copepods and fish eggs. In aquaria a varied diet of marine frozen and planktonic foods plus prepared rations is appropriate.
Compatibility
It is a territorial damselfish that becomes more aggressive with age. Juveniles may school in groups, but adults defend territory, so robust tank mates such as tangs and wrasses suit it better than slow or shy fish. Keeping several damsels in a small tank is not recommended.
Breeding
Dascyllus melanurus is an oviparous egg-layer. FishBase reports that the eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate, and that males guard and aerate the nest, as in related Dascyllus species.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 23 September 2021). FishBase notes the species enters both commercial fisheries and the aquarium trade.