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FishbeginnerSaltwater

Yellowtail Blue Damsel

Chrysiptera parasema

AnimaliaChordataActinopterygiiPerciformesPomacentridae

📍 Western Pacific

Ask Finn

One of the most popular marine fish for beginners — vivid blue body with a sunny yellow tail. Hardy, reef-safe, and one of the calmer damsels. Best kept as a single specimen or in a very large tank to reduce aggression.

Size2.5"
Min Tank30g
semi-aggressive
Zonemid

Care Guide

Diet

Yellowtail Blue Damsels are omnivores that thrive on a varied diet of high-quality marine flakes, small pellets, and frozen foods like brine shrimp and mysis shrimp once daily. Supplement with occasional vegetable matter such as nori sheets or spirulina-based foods to support digestive health and coloration. Feed small portions that can be consumed within 2-3 minutes to maintain water quality.

Behavior

This damsel is one of the calmer members of the Pomacentridae family, displaying curious and active behavior throughout the mid-water column. While generally peaceful, they can become territorial and aggressive toward other damsels or similarly-sized fish, especially in smaller tanks; they are best kept singly or in very large established systems. They are bold feeders and will readily investigate new tank additions.

Breeding

Breeding Yellowtail Blue Damsels in captivity is possible but challenging and rarely achieved by hobbyists. Pairs will establish a territory and lay eggs on a flat surface, with the male guarding the clutch aggressively. Success requires a dedicated breeding tank (50+ gallons), stable conditions, and careful monitoring as fry are difficult to rear due to their small size and specialized dietary needs.

Common Diseases

Ich (Marine White Spot Disease)

Symptoms

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

Treatment

Increase water temperature to 28-29°C, maintain excellent water quality, use copper-based or formalin treatments; quarantine infected fish if possible

Fin Rot

Symptoms

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

Treatment

Perform 25% water changes, improve water quality and flow, use antibiotic treatments or medicated foods; ensure adequate nutrition

Velvet Disease (Oodinium)

Symptoms

Fine golden or rust-colored dust on body, rapid breathing, loss of appetite, scratching behavior

Treatment

Raise temperature gradually to 28-29°C, reduce light exposure, use copper treatments or formalin; maintain pristine water conditions

Bacterial Infection

Symptoms

Open sores, cloudy eyes, swollen abdomen, torn fins, behavioral changes

Treatment

Improve water quality immediately, use broad-spectrum antibiotics or medicated foods, quarantine if severe; maintain optimal tank parameters

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Quick Facts

pH
8.1–8.4
diet
omnivore
maxSize
2.5 inches
salinity
SG 1.020–1.025
minTankSize
30 gallons
temperature
75–82°F (24–28°C)

Temperature

75–82°F

24–28°C

Stats

Community tips0
Kept by0 hobbyists