Three Stripe Damselfish

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Widespread in the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the Line and Tuamotu islands, north to southern Japan. Found in groups associated with branching corals in lagoons and protected reefs at depths of 1 to 20 meters.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Member of the genus Dascyllus. Features a deep, laterally compressed body, reaching a maximum size of 10 cm (4 inches).

Social Behavior: Aggressive and territorial. While social in nature (living in structured groups on coral heads), in captive systems, they vigorously defend their home rock from any intruders.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Body is white with three broad, vertical black bands: the first through the eye, the second from the dorsal fin to the pelvic fins, and the third connecting the rear dorsal and anal fins. No external sexual dimorphism.

Aquarium Setup: Needs at least 120 liters of tank volume with plenty of live rock and branching structures. Must have clear physical barriers to help break up line-of-sight aggression.

Diet and Feeding: Voracious omnivore. Readily eats mysis shrimp, frozen brine, high-quality flake food, pellets, and foods enriched with spirulina.

Water Quality: Exceptionally resilient to water parameters. Target ranges: temperature 24-27°C (75-81°F), pH 8.1-8.4, specific gravity 1.020-1.025, GH 15-25, and KH 8-12.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Reef-safe with corals. Highly aggressive towards peaceful or passive fish. Should be kept only with robust tankmates (tangs, larger wrasses, triggerfish) and introduced last.

Aquarium Reproduction: Feasible. Males clear a nesting spot on the rockwork and court females to spawn. The male guards the adhesive eggs until they hatch.

Risks and Diseases: Very hardy. The primary risk is the stress or physical harm it causes to other fish in the tank due to its belligerent nature.