TankBud

Springer's damsel

Chrysiptera springeri

Also known as Blue Sapphire Damsel, Springeri Damsel, Springer's Demoiselle

SaltwaterFish

Springer's damsel (Chrysiptera springeri)
Rickard Zerpe · CC BY 2.0

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
25 gal
95 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
Medium
Rarity
Common
Reef safe
Reef safe
Family
Pomacentridae
Origin
Western Pacific from Indonesia to the Philippines, among branching corals and rubble on sheltered reefs.

Overview

The Springer's damsel is a deep blue fish flecked with electric blue spots, and a hardy choice for a reef tank. It is easy to keep and swims in the middle of the tank.

Did you know

The Springer's damsel is unrelated to Springer's dottyback, Pseudochromis springeri, despite the shared name.

Caring for the Springer's damsel

Keep a Springer's damsel in a reef tank of at least 25 gal (95 L), with branching rock or coral for cover. It is reef safe, and plenty of hiding spots help it feel secure and color up.

Keep the water at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) with a pH of 8.1 to 8.4. Feed flake, pellets and frozen mysis or brine shrimp.

The Springer's damsel is calmer than most damsels, so it can even be kept in a small group. Add the fish at the same time and give them enough cover. Choose its other tank mates with caution. Breeding it takes some experience.

Good to know

The Springer's damsel, Chrysiptera springeri, is one of the smaller, milder members of its genus. It is gentler than its bruising blue-devil cousins.

In the wild

The Springer's damsel lives in the western Pacific, from Indonesia to the Philippines, among branching corals and rubble on sheltered reefs. It shelters in the coral branches and darts out to feed.

Common questions

What size tank does a Springer's damsel need?

A Springer's damsel needs at least 25 gal (95 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Springer's damsel need?

A Springer's damsel is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.

What does a Springer's damsel eat?

A Springer's damsel eats flake, pellets and frozen mysis or brine shrimp.

How big does a Springer's damsel get?

An adult Springer's damsel reaches about 2.8 in (7 cm).

Related species