Domino Damselfish

 Quick Care Facts

• Care Level: Easy   • Temperament: Aggressive   • Maximum Size: 6"
• Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons   • Water Conditions: 74-82° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
• Diet: Omnivore   • Origin: Indo-Pacific
• Family: Pomacentridae   • Species: Damselfish   • Aquarium Type: Reef Compatible

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The Domino Damselfish is a very hardy omnivorous fish species that is at home in most marine aquariums. It is popular among beginning marine aquarium hobbyists because of its interesting appearance and swimming style; as well as, its ability to tolerate less than ideal water conditions. The Domino Damselfish is also commonly known as the Three Spot Damselfish, Threespot Dascyllus or Domino Damselfish within the aquarium hobby, with its name due to the three white spots on its black body. While this is a good hardy fish species, it matures into an aggressive adult whose bright spots fade with age.

Similar to Clownfish, the Domino Damsel will often enter into a relationship with Carpet Anemones if one is present in the aquarium. The black color, tall body shape and up and down swimming motion make the Domino Damselfish somewhat unique in the aquarium hobby, along with its bold disposition and ability to be at home in many different aquarium environments.

Domino Damselfish are black with three white spots and have a taller and shorter body than most Damselfish species. Over time their dark black body color and crisp white spots tend to fade into a greyish colored middle with black around the perimeter of the body.

The Domino Damselfish can reach up to 6 inches in length, which is fairly large for a Damselfish, but a 30 gallon or larger aquarium should be plenty to house this hardy species. It is a popular species of fish with beginning hobbyist as it is very hardy and can tolerate variations in water chemistry and less than perfect water parameters. This species does not have any special requirements, but it will appreciate coral or rock formations to provide it places to hide when it feels threatened. The Domino Damselfish becomes more active and aggressive with age and as an adult can be a quite aggressive fish.

Its aggressive demeanor makes it suitable for aquariums with other bold or aggressive fish species, while making it less suitable for aquariums with timid or shy fish species. While this species is not normally seen in reef aquariums because of its aggressive nature towards other fish species, it can be kept with corals and invertebrates without problems.

The Domino Damselfish is an aggressive feeder and a very easy species to feed as it will readily consume a variety of meaty and vegetable based foods. It should be fed a variety of meaty foods, herbivore preparations, and flaked foods. It will also readily consume live or frozen mysid and brine shrimp.