Footballer Damsel
Chrysiptera annulata
| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity |
|---|
Every order ships with our standard 3-hour live arrival guarantee. Need more time? Add our 5-Day Guarantee at checkout.
Full guarantee terms →Ships Monday – Thursday for next-day arrival at your nearest FedEx Hold location — typically ready by 9 AM. We monitor every delivery.
Shipping details →
Monday – Friday 8 AM – 9 PM
Saturday 12 PM – 4 PM
Sunday 12 PM – 9 PM
Healthy, stable animals from vetted suppliers — inspected before packing, shipped overnight. Decades of experience built this model so we can deliver premium livestock at 30%+ less than you'd pay elsewhere.
| Care Level | Easy |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Semi-Aggressive |
| Reef Safe | Yes |
| Functional Benefit | Ornamental Only |
| Diet Type | Omnivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 30 gallons |
| Max Size | 3 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
The Footballer Damsel (Chrysiptera annulata) is a black-and-white “tiger” patterned damselfish with bold striping, dark pelvic fins, and a thin black line across the snout. Native to the western Indian Ocean and Red Sea region, it stays compact while still reading clearly across the tank as it moves between rockwork and open water.
What You’ll Observe:
- Quick, confident laps between a favorite rock ledge and nearby open water
- Short “inspection passes” over the same area, especially after lights come on
- A strong interest in feeding time, often meeting food in the water column
- Occasional fin-flares when another fish approaches its chosen nook
Provide multiple caves and crevices so it can pick a home base and still leave open routes for other fish to pass. Offer a mix of small meaty foods and quality pellets/flakes so it stays active and maintains body weight. With a thoughtful aquascape and steady water conditions, this damsel settles into a consistent daily routine and becomes an easy fish to observe.
Why does the black-and-white pattern sometimes look duller in some aquariums?
Darker rock, dark sand, and black backgrounds can make the white areas read less bright. Under whiter sand and brighter overall lighting, the contrast typically shows more clearly.
Is quick chasing “normal,” or is it a sign something is wrong?
Brief darts or short chases near its chosen rock are commonly how damsels set personal space. If everyone still swims and feeds normally afterward, it’s usually just day-to-day boundary setting.
Can I keep two together, and how do I know if they’re pairing?
Pairs often show less distance between each other over time and repeatedly use the same part of the rockwork. A stable pair tends to move together rather than constantly separating and re-engaging.
What does it mean if it starts “cleaning” a spot on the rock?
Many damsels will pick at and tidy a small patch of rock as part of normal nesting behavior. You’ll often see extra attention to one surface area and more patrolling nearby.
What’s a practical way to calm the tank if it gets possessive during new additions?
Temporarily changing the rock layout (even small shifts) can reset established “ownership” of a specific nook. Short-term separation of the pushiest fish can also help the group re-balance when everyone is reintroduced.
We work with trusted suppliers who keep our specimens healthy and well-fed before shipping.
Recently viewed products
