All fish / Pomacentridae

Yellowtail Demoiselle

Neopomacentrus azysron

Also known as yellowtail damselfish, yellow tail demoiselle, yellowtail damsel, blue yellowtail damsel, azysron damsel, ヒメスズメダイ, 黄尾新雀鲷

A slim damselfish with a bluish grey to dark body, a bright yellow tail and rear fins, and a small black spot near the pectoral base. It is hardy, active and cheap, and it is one of the less quarrelsome damsels, so it suits beginners and reef tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

7 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

120 litres

Keep as

Small group of 5 or more in a roomy tank, or singly

Diet

Omnivore: marine flake and pellets, frozen mysis and brine shrimp, copepods and some algae-based food

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

4 to 6 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Indo-West Pacific: East Africa and Red Sea to Indonesia, Philippines and Australia

Breeding

Pairs lay sticky eggs on a cleaned hard surface, and the male guards them until they hatch after a few days. Spawning happens in aquariums, but raising the tiny planktonic larvae needs rotifers and copepods and is difficult.

Good to know

Although milder than many damsels, it can still become territorial with age, so avoid very timid tankmates. Do not confuse it with the more aggressive yellowtail blue damsel, Chrysiptera parasema.