Chrysiptera parasema

(Fowler, 1918)

Yellowtail Damselfish

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Solomon Islands, northern New Guinea, Philippines, and north to Southern Japan.

Size: 3 inches (7 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits coral rich areas of sheltered lagoons and inshore reefs and is usually found near Acropora growths at depths between 3 to about 50 feet (1 – 15 m) and mainly feeds on planktonic crustaceans (copepods, mysis, and shrimp larvae), fish eggs and algae.

General Husbandry: Quite attractive and common in the trade, in fact, probably the most utilized species in this genus in home aquariums! Has a blue body, with the blue extending to the aft body, then turning to yellow where it includes the caudal peduncle, and some of the tail. In juveniles, there’s yellow on the aft edges of the dorsal and anal fins.

The least aggressive member in this genus and makes an excellent addition to community fish-only or reef aquariums.

As to diet, a meaty diet, e.g., live fortified brine shrimp and/or finely chopped various frozen or fresh meaty foods such as mysis, squid, fish flesh, shrimp, clam and plant material, e.g., flake foods, especially those containing Spirulina should also be offered several times daily.

Taxonomy:

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Labroidei

Family: Pomacentridae

Subfamily: Pomacentrinae

Genus: Chrysiptera

FYI: All should be introduced at the same time.

Looks quite similar to Chrysiptera hemicyanea.

A single male and female can be kept in small aquariums, while a male and several females are best maintained in larger aquariums, e.g., 50+ gallons.

Experience Level: Beginner

Temperament: Peaceful

Diet: Omnivore

Coral Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: With caution

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Tankmates: Peaceful

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

Temperature Range: 72 - 84°F (22 – 28°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5