TankBud

Starck's damsel

Chrysiptera starcki

Also known as Starck's Demoiselle, Starcki Damselfish, Starck's Damselfish

SaltwaterFish

Starck's damsel (Chrysiptera starcki)
Hectonichus · CC BY-SA 3.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–81°F
23–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Adult size
3.5 in
9 cm
Minimum tank
29 gal
110 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
Substrate spawner · Medium
Rarity
Common
Reef safe
Reef safe
Family
Pomacentridae
Origin
Western Pacific from Japan to the Coral Sea, on deeper reef slopes.

Overview

Starck's damsel is a fully reef-safe damselfish that swims in the middle of the tank. It is less aggressive than the blue devils and easy to keep.

Did you know

Starck's damsel comes from cooler water than most damsels, so it takes the lower end of the reef temperature range in stride.

Caring for the Starck's damsel

Keep Starck's damsel in a reef tank of 29 gal (110 L) or larger, with rock cover. Give it rockwork to claim, and once it settles in, it shows its best color.

Hold the water at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C), with a pH of 8.1 to 8.4. Feed a varied diet of flake, pellets and frozen foods.

Juveniles are quite peaceful, but Starck's damsel grows more territorial with age. Choose its tank mates with caution, and keep one per tank unless the system is large.

Like other damsels, it lays demersal eggs and guards them. Breeding it in the tank is moderately difficult.

Good to know

Starck's damsel, Chrysiptera starcki, belongs to the damselfish family Pomacentridae and is also called Starck's demoiselle. It is bright blue above and yellow below, and it keeps that color well. The crisp two-tone pattern makes it a popular reef fish.

In the wild

Starck's damsel lives in the Western Pacific, from Japan to the Coral Sea. It keeps to deeper reef slopes, where it holds a territory near the rock.

Common questions

What size tank does a Starck's damsel need?

A Starck's damsel needs at least 29 gal (110 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

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

A Starck's damsel is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.

What does a Starck's damsel eat?

A Starck's damsel eats a varied diet of flake, pellets and frozen foods.

How big does a Starck's damsel get?

An adult Starck's damsel reaches about 3.5 in (9 cm).

How does a Starck's damsel breed?

A Starck's damsel lays demersal eggs and guards them, like other damsels. Breeding it in the tank is moderately difficult.

Related species