TankBud

Azure damsel

Chrysiptera hemicyanea

Also known as Azure Demoiselle, Half-blue Demoiselle, Yellow-belly Blue Damsel

SaltwaterFish

Azure damsel (Chrysiptera hemicyanea)
User:Haplochromis · Public domain

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–81°F
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Adult size
2.8 in
7 cm
Minimum tank
29 gal
110 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Beginner
Breeding
Substrate spawner · Medium
Rarity
Common
Reef safe
Reef safe
Family
Pomacentridae
Origin
Western Pacific

Overview

The azure damsel is one of the better-behaved damsels and suits a reef tank. It is a good first saltwater fish.

Did you know

The azure damsel's electric blue upper body splits cleanly from its bright yellow lower body and tail. That look makes it seem like a smaller, calmer version of the blue devil.

Caring for the azure damsel

Give the azure damsel at least 29 gal (110 L), with dense rockwork and multiple hiding spots. That keeps it settled and lets it establish a modest territory. Keep the water at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) and a pH of 8.1 to 8.4. It eats flakes, small pellets and frozen meaty foods, and it picks at dried seaweed.

It defends only a small area around its favorite rocks, but it is still territorial toward its own kind. Most keepers add a single fish. A small harem can sometimes work if the fish go in together, into a tank of 4 feet or more with complex rock. Even then, be ready to accept possible losses.

The azure damsel is a demersal egg layer, and the male cares for the nest. Breeding it is moderately hard.

Good to know

The azure damsel, Chrysiptera hemicyanea, is a damselfish in the family Pomacentridae. It is regularly captive-bred, which produces hardier, better-adjusted fish than wild imports. Captive-bred azures are a popular choice for hobbyists who want damsel color without the notorious damsel attitude.

In the wild

The azure damsel comes from the western Pacific and eastern Indian Ocean, particularly around Indonesia and northwestern Australia. It lives over sheltered, coral-rich lagoons and reef slopes. It hovers near branching corals and rock, never straying far from cover.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The azure damsel is a mostly peaceful, social species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does an azure damsel need?

An azure damsel needs at least 29 gal (110 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does an azure damsel need?

An azure damsel is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.

What does an azure damsel eat?

An azure damsel eats flakes, small pellets and frozen meaty foods. It also picks at dried seaweed.

How big does an azure damsel get?

An adult azure damsel reaches about 2.8 in (7 cm).

How does an azure damsel breed?

Azure damsels are demersal egg layers, and the male cares for the nest. Breeding them is moderately hard.

Related species