These images from a recent visit that show some absolutely splendid coral growth in near-perfect water [...]
To follow an earlier post, I wanted to share a few more images of pomacentrids from the Red Sea. I’ve got two more species that I know, and one more that I’m not quite sure about, so I would welcome any input from folks more knowledgeable than [...]
Damsels are amongst the best and worst fish for aquarists. Many stores sell them as cheap beginner fish, due to their robust nature, only for them to become complete nightmares as they lose their looks and become pugnacious bullies. While there are several species that can be superb [...]
On the heels of receiving the rare Anampses lennardi wrasse, Quality Marine have received three new aquacultured species of damsels for the first time. Damsels have long been considered a perfect fish for the beginner hobbyists for their hardiness, good looks, and small to large aquarium [...]
Researchers at James Cook University in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies (Coral CoE) have uncovered an interesting feature of the Damsel reef fish family. We watch our fish dart in and out of crevices when they get scared in our aquariums but little did we know they are, at [...]
“Yellowtail Damselfish” C. parasema Range: Philippines north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to Sabah, Java Sea, Flores Etymology: Greek “streamer”, allegedly in reference to the pale tail Size: 5cm Aquarium Rarity: Abundant ID: Entirely blue, except for a bright yellow caudal fin and [...]
“Springer’s Damselfish” C. springeri Range: Indonesia, though likely absent from the Java Sea and Sumatra. Etymology: After ichthyologist Dr. Victor Springer of the Smithsonian Size: 5cm Aquarium Rarity: Common ID: Mostly blue, with little black exposed. Notes: Very similar to the [...]
Damselfishes are usually thought of as a cheap staple of the aquarium trade, more often treated as “starter fish” than desirable species in their own right. But such prejudices belie the fascinating evolutionary story these fishes have to tell. One group in particular—the Chrysiptera [...]