Dascyllus reticulatus

Dascyllus reticulatus, known commonly as the reticulate dascyllus or two-stripe damselfish among other vernacular names, is a species of marine fish in the family Pomacentridae.[1]

Dascyllus reticulatus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Family: Pomacentridae
Genus: Dascyllus
Species:
D. reticulatus
Binomial name
Dascyllus reticulatus
(Richardson, 1846)
Synonyms
  • Heliases reticulatus Richardson, 1846
  • Dascyllus xanthosoma Bleeker, 1851
  • Pomacentrus unifasciatus Kner, 1868

Reticulate dascyllus is widespread throughout the tropical waters of the central Indo-Pacific region.[1]

Description

A small marine fish that reaches 9 centimetres (3.5 in) in length. It is grey with two vertical stripes, and a blue-green tail.

In the aquarium

Dascyllus melanurus is a hardy member of a saltwater aquarium. Because of this and its usually low price it may be recommended as a way for novice marine aquarium keepers to gain experience in the hobby. 114 litres (30 US gal) is typically quoted as the minimum tank size required to permanently house this fish.

It is an aggressive fish, even when compared to many damselfish, and will often harass similarly sized fish. It is also territorial with members of its own species, and with new additions to a tank. This will often make it difficult to add other small fish to an aquarium. It is however reef safe and will not harm invertebrates. Despite its hardy nature care should be taken when placing one with larger predatory fish such as lion fish, and grouper which may eat it. As an adult, however, its aggressive nature will often protect it from any fish that cannot fit it in its mouth.

References
  1. Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2015). "Dascyllus reticulatus" in FishBase. January 2015 version.


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