Blacktail Damselfish

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia 

Phylum: Chordata 

Class: Actynopterygii 

Order: Bleniiformes 

Family: Pomacentridae

Genus: Dascyllus

Species: D. melanurus

Dascyllus melanurus

Habitat & Distribution :  Reef-associated, Indo-Pacific Ocean

Diet : Algae and plankton

Size : 

• Length : 8 - 10 cm

• Weight : < 10 g

Lifespan : 5 - 10 years

Description

A small fish with four alternating black and white stripes, hence why it's also known as the four stripe damselfish. Most of its tail is black, setting it apart from the similar species, the whitetail Dascyllus (D. aruanus), with a white tail.

Behavior

Like other damselfish, the blacktail damsel is aggressive and territorial. It is often found associating with Acropora corals.

Reproduction

The males would entice females into their territories to mate, and the eggs are laid on a hard surface, which would then hatch in 3-5 days

Communication & Perception

They communicate through a combination of visual cues, behavioral signals, and acoustics.

Predator

Groupers, barracuda, jacks, snappers, and other larger predatory fishes.

Conservation Status : 

• IUCN Red List: Least Concern (2021)