Microspathodon chrysurus

(Cuvier, 1830)

Yellowtail Damselfish

Range: Western Atlantic Ocean: Southern Florida, Bermuda, and the Caribbean.

Size: 8 inches (21 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits fringing reefs, lagoon patch reefs, and reef faces exposed to strong surge at depths between 3 to about 30 feet (1 – 10 m) and mainly feeds on algae, yet also somewhat on benthic invertebrates.

General Husbandry: Rarely seen the trade, yet has an attractive juvenile, having a dark blue body with pale blue spots and a yellow tail. This mostly fades as it grows into adulthood, becoming a dark brownish/greyish blue with a yellow tail.

Even as a juvenile, this is an extremely aggressive fish, with adults so aggressive they must be housed with very aggressive tankmates, e.g., dottybacks, large angelfishes and surgeonfishes, and triggerfishes.

As to aquarium environment, provide a boulder habitat with hiding places, and very good water movement.

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 be offered several times daily.

Taxonomy:

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Labroidei

Family: Pomacentridae

Subfamily: Pomacentrinae

Genus: Microspathodon

FYI: One per aquarium.

Think twice before putting this species in your aquarium!

Best left in the wild.

Experience Level: Professional

Temperament: Very aggressive

Diet: Omnivore

Coral Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: With caution

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Tankmates: Very aggressive

Minimum Tank Size: 200 gallons

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

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5