Whitetail Dascyllus, also known as Humbug Damselfish, is a type of marine fish that belongs to the Pomacentridae family.
This fish is territorial and is found in shallow lagoons and reef flats.
It often gathers in large groups above staghorn coral thickets or in smaller groups above individual coral heads.
Whitetail Dascyllus feeds on zooplankton, benthic invertebrates (organisms living on the ocean floor), and algae in the wild.
This fish has been used for behavioral studies and is raised in captivity.
As a diurnal species, Whitetail Dascyllus is active during the day and reef-safe as it doesn’t harm corals or other inhabitants in an aquarium setting.
Whitetail Dascyllus Interesting Facts
- Whitetail Dascyllus lives in shallow lagoons and reef flats, often gathering above staghorn coral thickets.
- These fish feed on zooplankton, benthic invertebrates, and algae. The larvae feed on plankton.
- Males perform courtship dances to attract females before spawning and guarding nests.
- These fish are considered reef-safe, not harming corals or other aquarium inhabitants.
Whitetail Dascyllus Habitat
Whitetail Dascyllus is found in the Pacific Ocean. Its habitat stretches from north and east of Lombok Strait to Line, Marquesan, and Tuamoto islands.
It also reaches as far north as southern Japan and south to New Caledonia. Whitetail Dascyllus is a marine species that live near reefs.
It doesn’t migrate and is found at depths of 0 to 20 meters.
This tropical fish thrives in regions with latitudes between 38°N to 35°S and longitudes between 19°E to 124°W.
| Water Temperature: | Unknown |
| Water pH: | Unknown |
| Water Hardness: | Unknown |
Whitetail Dascyllus Physical Characteristics
Size: 2.4 inches (6.0 centimeters)
Whitetail Dascyllus reaches maturity at around 2.0 inches (5.0 centimeters) in length.
Its maximum length is 3.9 inches (10.0 centimeters), but it’s commonly found at 2.4 inches (6.0 centimeters) long. The typical lifespan of this fish is up to 6 years.
Whitetail Dascyllus has 12 dorsal spines, 11 to 13 dorsal soft rays, 2 anal spines, and 11 to 13 anal soft rays. It’s white with three black bars on its body.
There is a large brown spot on the top part of its snout and between its eyes. Its lips can be either dusky or white, while its tail fin is pale.
The pelvic fins are black, and the pectoral fins are transparent. The edges of certain facial bones (preorbital, suborbital, and preoperculum) have fine serrations.
The fish’s body depth measures about 1.5 to 1.7 times its standard length.
Whitetail Dascyllus Reproduction
Whitetail Dascyllus lay eggs and have distinct pairings during breeding. Male Whitetail Dascyllus attract females to the nests where it protects the eggs from other fish.
The male performs a courtship dance about 1 meter above the nest to attract a female. Once the female is interested, the male leads her to the nest for spawning.
The eggs stick to surfaces in the water, like rocks or plants. The eggs hatch within 3 to 5 days, and the newly hatched larvae feed on plankton.
Whitetail Dascyllus Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Family: | Pomacentridae |
| Genus: | Dascyllus |
| Scientific Name: | Dascyllus aruanus |
| Also Known As: | Whitetail Dascyllus, Humbug Damselfish |
| Conservation Status: | Unknown |