Whitetail Damselfish
Pomacentrus sp. (P. chrysurus or P. littoralis)
| 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 | 20 gallons |
| Max Size | 4 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
The Whitetail Damselfish (Pomacentrus sp., commonly sold as P. chrysurus) is a small Indo-Pacific damselfish with a darker body, a distinct dorsal “spot,” and a pale white tail that stands out under reef lighting. It stays compact (around the 3–4 inch range) and naturally spends its time close to rock and reef structure, making it a good fit for aquascaped reef tanks.
What You’ll Observe:
- Short, quick swims out into the water column followed by tight turns back to a favorite rock ledge
- A consistent “home base” it returns to throughout the day, especially once it learns the tank’s layout
- Confident feeding at the surface and midwater, often meeting food as soon as it hits the water
- Brief display postures and quick chases near its chosen perch, especially at mealtimes
To succeed with this fish, provide stable reef parameters and a rockwork layout with multiple crevices so it can choose a defined home area. Offer a mixed omnivore menu (quality pellets/flake plus small frozen foods) on a steady routine so it stays active and maintains good body weight. In community systems, it does best when tankmates have enough space to establish their own “zones” in the aquascape.
Should I add the Whitetail Damselfish early or later in my stocking plan?
In many mixed community reefs, adding it after more peaceful fish have settled in helps everyone establish separate routines around the rockwork.
Is it normal for a damselfish to “claim” one rock and hover near it most of the day?
Yes—many damsels pick a specific nook, ledge, or small cave as a home base and repeatedly loop out and back to that spot.
Can I keep more than one Whitetail Damselfish?
It’s most consistent to keep a single specimen; if you try multiples, success is higher in larger tanks with lots of broken-up rock structure so each fish can hold its own area.
Why does my damselfish sometimes move sand or knock a small frag loose?
Some damsels repeatedly peck and “clean” a patch of rock or sand near their home area; securely mounting frags and keeping loose plugs on stable racks helps prevent shifting.
What’s the easiest way to catch a damselfish if I ever need to move it?
A clear fish trap baited with food and placed near its usual home area tends to work better than chasing it with a net around the rockwork.
Each fish is checked for strong appetite and activity before we approve it for your tank.
Recently viewed products
