Yellowtail Blue Damselfish care

Chrysiptera parasema · Saltwater · Beginner level care

Yellowtail Blue Damselfish, painted illustration

A bright blue damsel that is hardy and less nasty than most damsels.

Smallest tank30 gallons

Adult size3 inches

Temperature76 to 80°F

pH8.1 to 8.4

GroupFine on its own

TemperamentSemi aggressive

SwimsMiddle of the tank

Lives5 to 8 years

Watch for: It can pick on smaller or shyer fish and defends its rock.

Feeding

Twice a day. A small pinch they finish in about 2 minutes. Marine pellets, frozen mysis, flakes.

Claims a territory and guards it.

Good tank mates

Fish that pass every check with Yellowtail Blue Damselfish in a 60 gallon tank: same water, overlapping temperature, nobody gets eaten and no bullies.

Banggai Cardinalfish Bicolor Blenny Blue Devil Damselfish Clark's Clownfish Domino Damselfish Green Chromis Midas Blenny Ocellaris Clownfish Orchid Dottyback Pajama Cardinalfish

Questions

What size tank does a Yellowtail Blue Damselfish need?

At least 30 gallons. Adults grow to about 3 inches, so plan for the adult size, not the size at the store.

What temperature does a Yellowtail Blue Damselfish like?

76 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, with a pH of about 8.1 to 8.4. A steady temperature matters more than hitting one exact number.

How many Yellowtail Blue Damselfish should I keep together?

One is fine. If you keep more, keep one male, since males fight each other.

What do Yellowtail Blue Damselfish eat?

Marine pellets, frozen mysis, flakes. Feed twice a day: a small pinch they finish in about 2 minutes.

Sources

Checked against these sources on 2026-11-10. When sources disagree we use the safer number.