Chrysiptera parasema
| Chrysiptera | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Chrysiptera parasema, | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Pomacentridae |
| Genus: | Chrysiptera Swainson, 1839 |
| Species | |
|
Chrysiptera parasema | |
Chrysiptera parasema, also known as Yellowtail Damselfish or Goldtail demoiselle is a popular saltwater aquarium fish from the Indo-Pacific.
Appearance
A small marine fish that reaches three inches in length. It is blue with a yellow tail.
In the Aquarium
Chrysiptera parasema is another victim of the saltwater aquarium hobby. Because of its usually low price it is often recommended as a way for novice marine aquarium keepers to gain experience, because the trade tends to see dollar value over and above the value of wildlife. Thirty gallons is typically quoted as the minimum tank size required to permanently house this fish--insofar as permanence is relative to the fish's dramatically shortened life in captivity.
It is less aggressive than most damselfish but will sometimes harass more passive fish in the unnatural confinement of a glass tank. Despite its comparatively peaceful nature it can be territorial with members of its own species. This aggression can sometimes be reduced by keeping them in groups of three to seven, just as inmates of any penal system must be segregated to avoid violence. They do show schooling behavior when kept in large groups.[1] Despite its hardy nature, it also must not be placed in an aquarium with larger predatory fish such as lionfish, and grouper which will often see it as a food source. As often noted, the aquarium trade continues to devastate reefs around the world.