| Care Level | Easy |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Semi-Aggressive |
| Reef Safe | Yes |
| Functional Benefit | Ornamental Only |
| Diet Type | Omnivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 40 gallons |
| Max Size | 3 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
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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.
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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.
The Bicolor Damsel (Stegastes partitus) is a Caribbean and Florida reef damselfish with a two-tone look—darker on the front half and pale to yellow-white toward the rear. It stays close to rockwork and crevices and typically tops out around the 2.5–3 inch range in aquariums.
What You’ll Observe:
- Picks a favorite hole or ledge and makes short patrol loops around it
- Hovers in the water column for food, then returns quickly to its “home” area
- Bold, alert behavior around the rockwork, especially during feeding time
- Regular daytime activity with predictable pauses to tuck back into crevices
To help it settle in, provide plenty of rock structure with multiple small caves and line-of-sight breaks so it can choose a home base. Offer a mix of meaty frozen foods and quality pellets/flake (including some algae content) so it can graze and snack throughout the day. With a well-planned aquascape, it becomes a consistent, active presence in the mid-to-lower areas of the tank.
Why does my Bicolor Damsel look lighter or darker on different days?
Color intensity can shift with lighting, mood, and where it’s spending time in the rockwork. Many hobbyists notice the contrast looks strongest under bright reef lighting and when the fish is actively out in the open.
Does it usually “claim” one rock or corner?
Yes—most individuals pick a specific crevice or ledge as a home base and repeatedly return to it. Building several similar hiding spots helps spread activity across the aquascape.
Can I keep more than one Bicolor Damsel in the same tank?
It’s most successful when multiple fish are introduced at the same time and given lots of separate hiding zones. In mixed communities, they’re often kept singly so the fish’s attention stays focused on one home area.
Will it take pellets right away?
Many will, but they often respond fastest to small frozen foods at first. Once it recognizes the feeding routine, mixing pellets/flake with frozen foods usually improves consistency.
What’s a practical way to relocate one if it becomes too attached to a single spot?
A clear fish trap or a baited specimen container placed near its home area often works best. Some aquarists also find that small, intentional changes to nearby rock positions can encourage the fish to choose a new “base.”
We work with trusted suppliers who keep our specimens healthy and well-fed before shipping.
