Saltwater And Marine Fish
Damselfish
Damselfish will ignore invertebrates in the aquarium and feed on zooplankton and algae. Do not keep them with butterflyfish and clownfish. A varied diet of meaty items such as mysid shrimp and vitamin-enriched shrimp, herbivore flakes, and frozen preparations should be offered.
Damselfish are often used to break in or cycle a new aquarium. It is important to remember that even though these fish are hardy and can handle the adverse conditions of a new aquarium, they may become quite aggressive among themselves, and toward other tankmates.
A large aquarium of 70 gallons with plenty of rockwork and hiding places are necessary in order to keep quarrels to a minimum.
No significant markings or distinguishing characteristics differentiate males from females. Damselfish can be successfully spawned in captivity. The damselfish family is hermaphrodite by nature, meaning each fish can become either sex. The male Damsel is usually responsible for the care and maintenance of the eggs after the fish have spawned.
The Dick's Damselfish and The Marginated Damselfish are a good choice for beginners since they are less aggressive and do not need as large of a tank as many of the other damselfish. They can be kept in small groups, and prefer to have many hiding places and peaceful tank mates. They will ignore invertebrates in the aquarium and feed on zooplankton and algae. A varied diet of meaty items such as mysid shrimp and vitamin-enriched shrimp, herbivore flakes, and frozen preparations should be offered.
Compatibility: Dragonets, filefish, foxface and rabbitfish, gobies, jawfish, hawkfish, parrotfish, pseudochromis, puffers, tangs and surgeons, live corals, invertebrates, live rock, sand.
Avoid these tankmates: Butterflyfish, Clownfish, Groupers, Lionfish.
Damselfish Care:
The fish would live in the aquarium during its initial existence, and be used to allow the aquarium to biologically stabilize with beneficial bacteria. This practice is viewed negatively by many aquarists because of the foul conditions the fish are subjected to and the fact that more humane methods to stabilize an aquarium exist.
Most of these fish stay in small shoals in the wild when young, breaking away from the group as they grow, and eventually become solitary as adults. When dealing with several Damsels in one aquarium, plenty of rockwork and hiding places are necessary in order to keep quarrels to a minimum.
Coral Reef Related Articles:
Coral Reef: Although corals are often mistaken for rocks or plants, they are actually composed of tiny, fragile animals called polyps. A polyp is a spineless animal. Polyps can be the size of a pinhead while others are larger, sometimes a foot in diameter. One coral branch is covered by thousands of these animals.
Sea Anemone: The long tentacles are equipped with stinging cells that paralyze prey. Anemones required excellent water conditions, moderate to strong current and intense lighting. A minimum light intensity of 10,000 lux is indispensable for them to survive and grow.
Tomato Clownfish. Coming from the Pacific Ocean this species can become very aggressive with age, however if you can buy a match pair, at the same time, they will often live together in harmony. It can be an excellent choice for the beginner since is very hardy and can live without an anemone.
Maroon Clownfish. Do not move the Maroon Clownfish with a net as its cheekspines will become entangled. Use a specimen container if capture is necessary.