View Full Version : I.D. this common fish please
lferg
03-08-2008, 10:33 AM
This is my first time with any SW fish... Can some one tell me what this guy is? The LFS sold him to me for $1. They said these fish are "crap fish" and they had them by mistake..... DOn't know what that means.
Chill
03-08-2008, 10:45 AM
Dascyllus trimaclatus - Domino Damsel - they are agressive and can limit your tankmate choices - that's why some stores don't carry they're or think their "cr*p".
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/dascyllu.htm
Boltster
03-08-2008, 11:39 AM
On the good side, they are extremely hardy and eat everything. Some use them to cycle tanks because they can handle elevated levels of amm, nitrite, etc. I had one in my 55g tank about 20 years ago and he never gave me any problems. I had a copperbanded butterfly in the same tank, and they are slow movers, and the domino damsel stayed to himself.
You could always get lucky and have one that isn't tempermental.
saltydunc
03-08-2008, 4:03 PM
i wouldn't describe it as a crap fish.....they tend to be on the aggressive side....but damsels are great little fish.
I don't like the term "crap fish" either. Although I do admit to naming 2 three stripe damsels Satan and Saddam. :lipssealedsmilie:
I wouldn't say cr*p fish either I just said their agression is why the store would say that.
The link I posted ( http://www.wetwebmedia.com/dascyllu.htm ) was supposed to give some balance to that; the authour's close:
"The three principal species of Dascyllus used in the hobby, the three-spot, three and four stripe, have proven to be indispensable to saltwater aquarists. What more could you ask for? Their inexpensive, amongst the hardiest of marines, accepting of the widest range of conditions, and eat like no tomorrow."
Personally I think they're great just as long as you're aware of their social disorders.