Reticulated Dascyllus Care Guide
Dascyllus reticulatus is a small Indo-Pacific damselfish that schools as a juvenile and becomes territorial with age.
Overview
Dascyllus reticulatus, the reticulated dascyllus, is a small marine damselfish of the family Pomacentridae. It occurs across the central Indo-Pacific and reaches about 9 cm in total length. Juveniles form schools, while adults occupy branching coral heads and become territorial toward fish of similar size.
Taxonomy
- Family: Pomacentridae
- Genus: Dascyllus
- Scientific name: Dascyllus reticulatus
Habitat
According to FishBase, the species ranges from the eastern central Indian Ocean to the western Pacific, from the Cocos-Keeling Islands to Samoa and the Line Islands, north to southern Japan and south to the Rowley Shoals and Lord Howe Island. It is reef-associated and recorded at depths of 1 to 50 m. Adults shelter among branching corals, notably Pocillopora eydouxi, while schools form over silty habitats.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 150 L
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- GH: 8-12 °dGH
- Lifespan: 5-10 years
Diet
The species is omnivorous, with FishBase assigning it a trophic level near 3.1. In nature it feeds on zooplankton drawn over the reef; in captivity it accepts a varied diet of meaty and prepared marine foods.
Compatibility
Reticulated dascyllus is semi-aggressive and territorial with conspecifics, harassing newly added tankmates. It is reported not to harm corals or invertebrates, so it is generally considered reef-safe. Robust tankmates such as tangs, wrasses and triggers (with caution) suit it better than slow, shy fish or other small damsels in confined tanks.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2021).