Common name: Hawaiian dascyllus

Scientific name: Dascyllus albisella Gill, 1862
Hawaiian Dascyllus, Hawaii, USABlack Hawaiian dascyllus swimming by a coral reeef
The endemic Hawaiian Dascyllus (Dascyllus albisella) photographed while scuba diving along the Kona Coast; Island of Hawaii, Hawaii, United States of AmericaBlack and White Damsel Fish over Reef in Blue  OceanWater - Dascyllus albisella

General information

The Hawaiian Dascyllus, Dascyllus albisella, is a small and resilient damselfish species endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. It is recognized by its dark body and the distinctive white spots that develop as it matures. This species is not as commonly kept as some other damselfishes, but it can be a hardy addition to a fish-only or a community reef aquarium with larger, non-aggressive tank mates.

Details

Recommended minimum tank volume
200 liter (53 gallons)
Salinity
S.G. 1.020 to 1.025
Temperature
24 to 28 °C (75 to 82 °F)
Acidity
pH 8 to 8.4
Average size
13 cm (5″)
Care level
Moderate to easy Hardy, good for beginners
Diet
Omnivore Flakes, pellets, frozen foods
Social
School Best in groups, can be territorial
Reefsafe
Yes
Aggression
Semi aggresive May be territorial with tank mates
Captive bred
Yes Available as captive-bred

Taxonomy

  1. Kingdom
    Animals
    Animalia
  2. Phylum
    Chordates
    Chordata
  3. Class
    Ray-finned Fishes
    Actinopterygii
  4. Order
    Perch-like Fishes
    Perciformes
  5. Family
    Damselfish
    Pomacentridae
  6. Genus
    Dascyllus
    Dascyllus
  7. Species
    Hawaiian dascyllus
    Dascyllus albisella Gill, 1862
  8. Synonyms
    Dascyllus edmondsoni Pietschmann, 1934

Care

Hawaiian Dascyllus are relatively easy to care for due to their adaptability and hardiness. They thrive in well-established aquariums with plenty of rockwork and hiding spaces. While they are omnivorous, their diet should include a variety of foods such as marine flakes, frozen or live brine shrimp, and mysis shrimp to maintain their health and coloration.

Reproduction

Like many damselfish, the Hawaiian Dascyllus is an oviparous species, with females laying adhesive eggs on substrates, which are then fertilized by the male. The male guards the eggs until they hatch. In the aquarium, breeding is possible but raising the larvae can be challenging due to their small size and specific feeding requirements.

Habitat

The Hawaiian Dascyllus is found exclusively in the Hawaiian archipelago, where it prefers shallow coral reefs and lagoons. It often associates with branching corals such as Pocillopora, which provide shelter and a substrate for spawning. In the wild, they are typically found at depths ranging from just below the surface to about 55 meters.