All fish / Pomacentridae

Starck's Damselfish

Chrysiptera starcki

Also known as starck's damsel, stark's damsel, starcki damsel, starck damselfish, yellow-back blue damsel, starki damsel, スタークダムゼル, 史氏刻齿雀鲷, 斯氏金翅雀鲷

A striking damsel with a bright electric-blue body and a yellow stripe along the back that runs into the yellow tail. It lives on deeper outer reef slopes, so it is less common and more expensive than most damsels, and keepers prize it as a colourful, reef-safe fish that will not harm corals.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

7 cm

Temperature

24 to 27 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

110 litres

Keep as

Singly, or as a pair in a larger tank

Diet

Omnivore: zooplankton such as mysis and brine shrimp, quality flakes and pellets, some algae-based food

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 10 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Pacific: Taiwan, southern Japan, Philippines, Great Barrier Reef, New Caledonia, Fiji and Tonga

Breeding

Pairs lay sticky eggs on a cleaned hard surface and the male guards them until they hatch. Captive spawning happens, but rearing the tiny pelagic larvae is difficult and rarely achieved at home.

Good to know

Like most damsels it becomes territorial with age and may bully small or timid fish, so add it last and give plenty of rockwork. Its deep-water origin means it prefers subdued shelter and can be a bit shy at first.