Three Stripe Damselfish (Dascyllus aruanus)

The Three Stripe Damselfish (Dascyllus aruanus) is a bold, hardy little fish wrapped in crisp black-and-white bars, sometimes called the Humbug Damsel. It is one of the toughest and most affordable saltwater fish, full of personality and always out in the open. Build out the rest of the system with our saltwater livestock selection.

Care Guide

• Aquarium: 30 gallons or larger with plenty of live rock. These damsels claim a patch of rockwork as territory and dart back to it for shelter.
• Water quality: Keep parameters stable. Target 72 to 78°F, pH 8.1 to 8.4, specific gravity 1.020 to 1.025, and dKH 8 to 12. This is one of the most forgiving marine fish you can keep.
• Diet: Easy-to-feed omnivore. Offer marine flake, mysis, and brine shrimp 1 to 2 times a day.
• Temperament: Semi-aggressive and territorial, especially as it matures. Add it last so it cannot bully newcomers, and give it a large tank with broken sightlines if you plan to keep more than one.
• Reef compatibility: Reef safe. It will not bother corals or invertebrates, making it a great splash of contrast in a reef tank.

Specifications

Tank Mates & Compatibility

Three Stripe Damsels are reef safe but feisty, so pair them with other robust fish that can hold their own rather than shy, slow-moving tankmates. Good companions we carry include:

• Bicolor Dottyback
• Neon Wrasse
• Tomini Tang
• Midas Blenny
• Lawnmower Blenny

Add the damsel last so it cannot establish a territory before other fish settle in, and avoid very timid species like firefish in smaller tanks.

Recommended Foods & Supplies

• Ocean Nutrition Brine Shrimp Plus Flake for daily staple feeding
• Freeze-Dried Mysis Shrimp for protein and color
• Browse all marine fish nutrition

FAQ

Is the Three Stripe Damsel reef safe?
Yes. It is fully reef safe and will not nip corals or bother invertebrates, so it is a great fit for any reef tank.

Is it good for beginners?
Yes. Damsels are among the hardiest and most affordable saltwater fish, which makes them a popular first marine fish. Just be aware they can get territorial as they grow.

Can I keep more than one?
You can in a larger tank with plenty of rockwork to break up sightlines, but they will form a pecking order. In smaller tanks, keep just one to avoid bullying.

What does it eat?
An easy omnivore diet of marine flake, mysis, and brine shrimp. Feed small amounts 1 to 2 times a day.