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    Chromis and damsels

    Yellowtail blue damsel

    Chrysiptera parasema

    Also sold as Yellowtail damselfish, Goldtail demoiselle

    Good first fish

    Yellowtail blue damsel (Chrysiptera parasema), photographed in the sea or an aquarium
    Photo: Brian Ong, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
    Care level
    Beginner
    Adult size
    7 cm in aquariums
    Minimum tank
    114 litres
    Temperament
    Mostly peaceful
    With corals
    Reef safe
    Captive-bred
    Occasionally captive-bred
    IUCN status
    Least Concern
    Show volumes in

    How do you care for the yellowtail blue damsel?

    Semi-aggressive but one of the mildest damsels.

    Feeding

    Omnivore.

    Several small meals a day.

    Tank and special needs

    Plan for at least 114 litres of water (the care sheet says 30 US gallons).

    Rockwork.

    Corals and invertebrates

    None.

    Which tankmates suit the yellowtail blue damsel?

    Small odd-numbered groups or singly; add late.

    Suggested order in a mixed tank: add last, after the peaceful fish have settled.

    More than one yellowtail blue damsel

    Best kept as a group added at the same time, in a tank big enough for the group.

    Other fish

    Checked against the other 59 fish in this guide, assuming a tank big enough for both. Individual fish differ, so treat this as a starting point.

    Avoid together (3)

    • Blue damselBoth are Chrysiptera; close relatives defend the same space and food.
    • Azure damselBoth are Chrysiptera; close relatives defend the same space and food.
    • Humbug damselBoth are damsels of similar shape, which is a common trigger for fights.
    Usually fine together (56)

    Invertebrates

    Only the invertebrates with a known risk are listed.

    Take care (2)

    • Tiger tail sea cucumberA stressed or dead tiger tail sea cucumber can release toxins that harm fish; cover pump intakes.
    • Sea appleA stressed or dead sea apple can release toxins that harm fish; cover pump intakes.

    Corals and anemones

    Only the corals and anemones with a known risk are listed.

    Take care (1)

    These checks follow the reasons fish and invertebrates clash: same species or genus, similar shape, mouth size, temperament, food, burrows, tank size and the order they are added. Individual animals differ; every source agrees on that.

    Quarantine and health

    Very hardy.

    New fish are the most common way disease gets into a reef tank. Quarantine every fish in a separate tank before it joins the display, and choose a method that suits its tolerance of copper.

    Captive-bred or wild?

    Has been bred in captivity; captive-bred fish sometimes available (LiveAquaria).

    Sources

    1. LiveAquaria (US retailer) care sheetRead 21 October 2026, read in full. Used for: stats.
    2. FishBase species summaryRead 21 October 2026, read in full. Used for: max length, IUCN.

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    Green chromis

    Chromis viridis

    Good first fish

    Care
    Beginner
    Adult size
    10 cm
    Tank from
    114 litres
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Corals
    Reef safe

    Photo Debra Baker, CC BY 4.0

    Blue damsel

    Chrysiptera cyanea

    Care
    Beginner
    Adult size
    8 cm
    Tank from
    114 litres
    Temperament
    Semi-aggressive
    Corals
    Reef safe

    Photo Brian Gratwicke, CC BY 2.0

    Azure damsel

    Chrysiptera hemicyanea

    Care
    Beginner
    Adult size
    7 cm
    Tank from
    114 litres
    Temperament
    Semi-aggressive
    Corals
    Reef safe

    Photo Haplochromis, Public domain

    Humbug damsel

    Dascyllus aruanus

    Not for beginners

    Care
    Beginner
    Adult size
    10 cm
    Tank from
    114 litres
    Temperament
    Aggressive
    Corals
    Reef safe

    Photo Rickard Zerpe, CC BY 2.0