Jewel Damsel

Description

The body has an oval shape with a sharpish nose. The base color of the body is dark green to brown and the younger fish have attractive blue spots on the body. The caudal area and tail are a light yellow. As the fish ages so the intensity of the spots decreases and they eventually go white.

Distribution

Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to the Marshall and Society islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to Australia.

Habitat

Adults inhabit clear lagoon and seaward reefs, in areas with mixed coral and rubble or dead coral rocks. Feed mainly on benthic algae and associated small invertebrates and fish eggs. Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding. Eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate. Males guard and aerate the eggs. Diurnal species.

In the aquarium

Devils require a tank size of approximately 200 cm (at least 50 gal). The water conditions need to be at around 25-28c, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025. Their diet consists of flake, frozen, and live foods. They are relatively easy to care for. Since they are damselfish, however, their temperament is very aggressive, hence the name "devil". They should therefore be kept in their own separate tank, away from each other and other fish. They are immune to corals, so they should be provided for defense or as a shelter.