Three-Spot Damsel Care Guide
Dascyllus trimaculatus is a hardy Indo-Pacific damselfish whose juveniles shelter in anemones and whose adults become strongly aggressive.
Overview
Dascyllus trimaculatus, the three-spot or domino damsel, is a marine damselfish of the family Pomacentridae. It reaches about 14 cm in total length. Juveniles are dark with three white spots and shelter in anemones, sea urchins or coral heads; adults turn grey to black and become strongly aggressive.
Taxonomy
- Family: Pomacentridae
- Genus: Dascyllus
- Scientific name: Dascyllus trimaculatus
Habitat
According to FishBase, the species is distributed across the Indo-Pacific from the Red Sea and East Africa to the Line and Pitcairn islands, north to southern Japan and south to Sydney, Australia. It is reef-associated and recorded from the surface to about 55 m. Adults form small to large aggregations around coral heads and rocks, while juveniles associate commensally with large sea anemones, sea urchins or small coral heads.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 200 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. FishBase reports stomach contents including algae, copepods and other planktonic crustaceans. In captivity it readily accepts a varied diet of meaty and prepared marine foods.
Compatibility
Adults are aggressive and recognise conspecifics partly by sound. They suit robust tankmates such as tangs, wrasses and triggers (with caution), and should not be combined with slow, shy fish or other small damsels in confined tanks. Because it does not harm corals or invertebrates, it is generally considered reef-safe.
Breeding
FishBase describes the species as oviparous with distinct pairing. Eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate; males guard and aerate them. Courtship includes male signal-jumping, and captive pairs may spawn around three times a month.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2021).