Dascyllus reticulatus

Dascyllus
Dascyllus reticulatus in Acropora loripa coral (Hard coral).
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Perciformes
Family:	Pomacentridae
Genus:	Dascyllus Richardson, 1846
Binomial name
Dascyllus reticulatus

Dascyllus reticulatus, also known as Two Stripe Damselfish, Reticulate Dascyllus or Reticulated Damselfish is a marine fish from the Indo-Pacific occasionally kept in aquariums.

Appearance

A small marine fish that reaches four inches in length. It is grey with two vertical stripes, and a blue-green tail.

In the Aquarium

Dascyllus melanurus is a hardy member of a saltwater aquarium. Because of this and its usually low price it may be recommended as a way for novice marine aquarium keepers to gain experience in the hobby. Thirty gallons is typically quoted as the minimum tank size required to permanently house this fish.

It is an aggressive fish, even when compared to many damselfish, and will often harass similarly sized fish. It is also territorial with members of its own species, and with new additions to a tank. This will often make it difficult to add other small fish to an aquarium. It is however reef safe and will not harm invertebrates. Despite its hardy nature care should be taken when placing one with larger predatory fish such as lion fish, and grouper which will may eat it. As an adult however its aggressive nature will often protect it from any fish that cannot fit it in its mouth.

References

• liveaquaria.com Page on Two Stripe Damselfish