Reticulate Dascyllus, also known as Two-stripe Damselfish, is a type of marine fish belonging to the Pomacentridae family.
It’s commonly found in the tropical waters of the central Indo-Pacific region.
This fish lives in outer lagoons and seaward reefs and is often found around branching coral heads, especially Pocillopora eydouxi.
Reticulate Dascyllus forms schools and is found in areas with lots of silt. It’s active during the day and is reef-safe.
Reticulate Dascyllus Interesting Facts
- Reticulated Dascyllus form distinct breeding pairs and lay eggs on ocean floor surfaces.
- They grow up to 3.5 inches (9.0 centimeters) long with unique color patterns that change depending on the environment.
- Commonly found in tropical waters, they prefer depths between 1 to 50 meters near reefs.
Reticulate Dascyllus Habitat
Reticulate Dascyllus is found in the Eastern Central Indian Ocean to the Western Pacific.
Its habitat range goes from Cocos-Keeling Islands in the eastern Indian Ocean to Samoa and the Line Islands, up to southern Japan, and down to Rowley Shoals (eastern Indian Ocean) and Lord Howe Island.
This fish is not found in Hawaiian or Society islands or beyond them. In the Indian Ocean, it’s replaced by Dascyllus carneus.
Reticulate Dascyllus lives in marine environments near reefs. It doesn’t migrate and is found at depths of 1 to 50 meters (3 to 164 feet).
This fish prefers tropical climates and is found between latitudes 32°N to 32°S and longitudes 96°E to 136°W.
| Water Temperature: | Unknown |
| Water pH: | Unknown |
| Water Hardness: | Unknown |
Reticulate Dascyllus Physical Characteristics
Size: 3.5 inches (9.0 centimeters)
Reticulated Dascyllus grows up to 3.5 inches (9.0 centimeters) long. It has 12 dorsal spines, 14 to 16 dorsal soft rays, 2 anal spines, and 12 to 14 anal soft rays.
Its color changes depending on its environment and behavior. Generally, it has a white body with a greenish snout, forehead, and area between the eyes.
This fish also has a black bar on the front and a fainter one on the back of its body. The edges of its scales are blackish.
Its pelvic fins are mostly black while its pectoral fins are transparent with a spot at the base.
The edges of certain facial bones like the preorbital, suborbital, and preoperculum have fine serrations or notches.
This fish’s body depth is about 1.4 to 1.6 times smaller than its standard length (SL).
Reticulate Dascyllus Reproduction
Reticulated Dascyllus lays eggs on the ocean floor, known as benthic spawning. During breeding, it forms distinct pairs.
The eggs stick to surfaces underwater and don’t float around. Male fish protect and provide oxygen for the eggs by fanning them with their fins.
Reticulate Dascyllus Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Family: | Pomacentridae |
| Genus: | Dascyllus |
| Scientific Name: | Dascyllus reticulatus |
| Also Known As: | Reticulate Dascyllus, Two-stripe Damselfish |
| Conservation Status: | Unknown |