Four-stripe damselfish
Dascyllus melanurus
FishSaltwater
- Care level
- Easy
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Reef safe
- Yes
- Recommended tank
- 150 L
- Maximum size
- 8 cm
- Temperature
- 24–27 °C
- pH
- 8–8.4
- Diet
- Omnivore
Care at a glance
The four-stripe damselfish is the humbug with a black tail instead of a white one: a black-and-white banded fish that darts cutely around the shop tank as a juvenile and goes home for a few euros. It is all but indestructible, which makes it a popular first fish for a newly started marine tank.
What rarely gets mentioned: once adult it is one of the boldest small fish on the reef, defending its rock against everything, including fish three times its size. Keep it in a roomy tank with sturdy tankmates and add it last. It leaves corals and invertebrates alone.
Good to know
Best not combined with
Related species
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Values are mainstream hobbyist guidance, not gospel — always watch what your own animals need.