Azure Damsel

Chrysiptera hemicyanea

Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Perciformes›Pomacentridae

📍 Western Pacific, Indonesia & Philippines

Vibrant damsel with vivid blue upper body and bright orange-yellow belly. One of the most colourful and less aggressive damsels. Reef-safe and hardy. A striking splash of colour in a reef community.

Size3"

Min Tank30g

semi-aggressive

Zonemid

Care Guide

Diet

Azure Damsels are omnivores that require a varied diet of high-quality marine flakes, small pellets, and frozen foods such as brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and chopped seafood. Feed once daily in small portions that can be consumed within 2-3 minutes. They will also graze on algae and small crustaceans in the reef, supplementing their diet naturally.

Behavior

Azure Damsels are semi-aggressive and territorial, particularly as they mature or when defending nesting sites. They are active mid-water swimmers that dart quickly through the tank and may chase smaller fish or harass peaceful species. Despite their aggression, they are less belligerent than many damselfish species and can coexist in reef communities with appropriate tank mates.

Breeding

Breeding Azure Damsels in captivity is possible but challenging and rarely achieved by hobbyists. Males establish and defend territories, and females lay eggs on prepared surfaces; both parents guard the eggs aggressively. Success requires a dedicated breeding setup with minimal disturbance, stable conditions, and live food cultures for the larvae.

Tank Mates

Ocellaris Clownfish

Similar size and reef-safe; may experience minor territorial disputes but generally compatible

good

Six Line Wrasse

Active swimmer with similar temperament; both occupy mid-water zones without major conflict

good

Neon Goby

Small, peaceful, and reef-safe; occupies different niche as a cleaner fish

excellent

Pistol Shrimp

Reef-safe invertebrate that stays near substrate; minimal interaction with damsels

good

Cleaner Shrimp

Beneficial reef inhabitant; Azure Damsels tolerate them due to cleaning symbiosis

excellent

Common Diseases

Ich (Marine Ich)

Symptoms

White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, flashing against surfaces, lethargy

Treatment

Raise temperature gradually to 28-29°C, maintain excellent water quality, use copper-based medication or hyposalinity treatment; quarantine infected fish if possible

Fin Rot

Symptoms

Frayed or deteriorating fin edges, discoloration at fin bases, progressive fin loss

Treatment

Improve water quality, perform regular water changes, use antibiotic medication if bacterial; remove sharp decorations that may cause injury

Velvet Disease

Symptoms

Fine golden or rust-colored dust on body, rapid breathing, scratching behavior, lethargy

Treatment

Increase aeration, raise temperature to 28-29°C, use copper medication or formalin-based treatments; quarantine and treat separately to protect tank mates

Popeye

Symptoms

One or both eyes bulging outward, cloudiness, potential eye loss if untreated

Treatment

Improve water quality immediately, perform large water changes, use antibiotic medication; check for physical injury or poor tank conditions as underlying cause