Domino Damselfish

Dascyllus trimaculatus

Habitat & Distribution :  Reef-associated, depths 0 - 55 m, Indo-Pacific Ocean

Diet: Fish and small crustaceans

Size: Up to 14 cm

Lifespan: 10 years 

Description

The domino damselfish has a gray to black body with three white spots: two on either side of its flank, and one betweet its eyes, making it seem like a domino.

Behavior

Commonly found near coral reef. Juveniles are sometimes seen sheltering between the spines of a sea urchin or the tentacles of a sea anemone. They tend to live in aggregations, big and small. This fish is diurnal, meaning that it is active during the day.

Reproduction

When courting a female, the male will perform a behavior known as "signal jumping", in which it will "leap" towards the female as a ritual to signify its readiness in mating. 

The results of their copulation are sticky, demersal eggs which adhere to substrates and are guarded from predators by the male.

Communication & Perception

The damselfish senses and communicates visually, by touch, sound and chemicals, which is detected by smelling. However its primary communication method is by sound, which it can use to recognize other fish of the same species.

Predator

Snappers, groupers and other big bony predatory fishes

Conservation Status: Not Evaluated