4 Stripe Damsel
Dascyllus melanurus
| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Out of Stock | 1 - 2" - Indo-Pacific | Original price was: $24.99.$12.99Current price is: $12.99. | Email me |
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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 | Aggressive |
| Reef Safe | Yes |
| Functional Benefit | Ornamental Only |
| Diet Type | Omnivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 30 gallons |
| Max Size | 4 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
The 4 Stripe Damsel (Dascyllus melanurus) is a black-and-white, banded damselfish with a darker tail area that gives it the “blacktail humbug” look. It naturally stays close to coral heads and rock structure, making it a high-contrast, always-noticeable fish in a reef display.
What You’ll Observe:
- Patrols a favorite rock or coral head, then quickly darts out and returns to the same area
- Spends much of the day hovering in the water column near structure rather than hiding full-time
- Feeds eagerly from the water column and also pecks at surfaces between meals
- Learns your routine and often swims up during feeding time or when you approach the tank
- May clean a small patch of rock and closely guard it during spawning behavior
Provide plenty of rockwork with multiple caves and swim-throughs so your aquascape breaks up lines of sight and creates clear “zones.” Offer a mixed menu (meaty frozen foods plus quality pellets/flakes with some algae-based options) and feed consistently to keep activity steady. With confident tankmates and a stable routine, this fish settles into a predictable, territory-based pattern.
Why did my 4 Stripe Damsel seem calm for months and then start guarding one spot?
As it matures, it often becomes more focused on a specific home area and treats that zone as its base. Extra hiding choices and line-of-sight breaks in the rockwork can help the tank feel more “spread out.”
Will it “host” an anemone or a large coral like a clownfish?
Some will repeatedly hover in or retreat into long-tentacle anemones or branching corals as a shelter choice. It’s a common comfort behavior, but not something it requires to do well.
Why is it tail-flicking or rubbing against a new fish right after introduction?
This can be a quick display behavior or a brief “scrape” motion that happens during excitement and re-settling. If both fish keep eating and moving normally, it often fades as the new arrival establishes its own space.
Do they spawn in home aquariums even without a visible pair?
Yes—keepers often report site-cleaning and egg-guarding behavior in established tanks. You may see a small cleaned patch on rock and extra attention to that area during the cycle.
How do I add new fish if the damsel already acts like it owns the rockwork?
Many hobbyists have the best results by using a short acclimation-box period so everyone can see each other without contact, then releasing during a normal feeding window. Small layout adjustments (even minor rock shifts) can also help “reset” boundaries during introductions.
Each fish is checked for strong appetite and activity before we approve it for your tank.
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