Talbot's Damsel
Chrysiptera talboti
Also known as Talbot's Demoiselle
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–81°F (24–27°C)
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 2.4 in (6 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 29 gal (110 L)
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Common
- Reef safe
- Reef safe
- Origin
- Western Pacific reefs
- Family
- Pomacentridae
Overview
Talbot's Damsel has a reputation as one of the calmest damsels kept in the hobby, spending more time tucked near rockwork than patrolling open water or squaring off with tankmates. It can still defend a favorite hiding spot from other damsels or similarly sized fish, but it rarely bothers peaceful reef tankmates the way its Dascyllus relatives do. It is completely safe with coral and invertebrates, making it a good pick for reef keepers who want damsel color without constant squabbling. Feed a varied diet of small frozen meaty foods, marine pellets, and some algae-based food.
In the wild
Native to Western Pacific reefs from the Andaman Sea to Fiji and south to the Great Barrier Reef, usually on rubble slopes and reef flats with scattered coral outcrops. It relies heavily on that structure for cover, so the aquarium should offer plenty of caves and overhangs built into the live rock. A 110 liter (30 gallon) tank comfortably suits a pair or small group.
Good to know
Chrysiptera talboti is named for Frank Talbot, the fisheries scientist and former director of the Australian Museum who collected the original specimen. It carries a two-tone pattern, a pale blue-white body with a yellow face and a dark spot at the back of the dorsal fin, that separates it from other Chrysiptera species. Breeding follows the usual damsel pattern of male-guarded demersal eggs, and small-scale captive breeding has been achieved by commercial marine fish farms.
Did you know
Despite belonging to a genus with some notoriously hot-tempered species, Talbot's Damsel is consistently singled out by reef keepers as one of the few damsels calm enough for a peaceful community tank.
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
- LiveAquaria Freshwater and saltwater fish, inverts and corals
- Saltwaterfish.com Marine fish, corals and inverts shipped overnight
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
Saltwater fish · Beginner fish · Reef-safe fish · Beginner saltwater fish
Keeping Talbot's Damsel?
Track water tests, reminders and stocking fit.
Related species
Azure Damsel
Chrysiptera hemicyanea2.8 in (7 cm)29 gal (110 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Springer's Damsel
Chrysiptera springeri2.8 in (7 cm)25 gal (95 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Yellowtail Damsel
Chrysiptera parasema2.8 in (7 cm)29 gal (110 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Starck's Damsel
Chrysiptera starcki3.5 in (9 cm)29 gal (110 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Blue Damsel
Chrysiptera cyanea3.1 in (8 cm)29 gal (110 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Fiji Blue Devil Damsel
Chrysiptera taupou3.1 in (8 cm)29 gal (110 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)