All fish / Pomacentridae

Yellowtail Damselfish

Microspathodon chrysurus

Also known as yellowtail damsel, jewel damsel, jewelfish, yellow tail damselfish, yellowtail damsel fish, jewel damselfish, 黄尾雀鲷

Young fish are deep navy blue with bright electric blue spots, which is why juveniles are called jewelfish. As they grow they turn dark brown with a bright yellow tail and lose most of the spots. They are kept for the striking juvenile colours and their toughness.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

15 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

300 litres

Keep as

Keep singly

Diet

Omnivore: algae, nori, spirulina-based flakes and pellets, mysis and brine shrimp

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 10 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Atlantic: Florida, Bahamas, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean to Venezuela and Brazil

Breeding

Pairs lay sticky eggs on cleared rock, and the male guards them until they hatch. Captive breeding is rare because the larvae are tiny and need live plankton.

Good to know

Adults become very territorial and will harass other fish, so house them with large, robust tankmates. They graze algae and may nip at some corals, so they are not fully reef safe.