Deep midnight blue dusted with pinpricks of electric blue, like a night sky compressed into a 5 cm fish. Modest by damsel standards and happiest weaving through branching coral.
Temperament
Common health issues
- Ich (white spot)
- Fin rot
- Parasites
Care at a glance
- ExerciseModerate
An active swimmer that appreciates open swimming space.
- GroomingRoutine tank care
Weekly partial water changes keep them in top shape.
- Living spaceNano-tank friendly
Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.
- Owner experienceSome experience helps
A little know-how makes life smoother.
- Commitment5โ10 years
Plan for a long, loving relationship.
Health to watch: Ich (white spot) ยท Fin rot ยท Parasites
๐ Care guide
Springer's Damselfish (Chrysiptera springeri) comes from the western Pacific around Indonesia and the Philippines and stays small at about 5 to 6 cm. Its base colour is a very dark blue-black scattered with brilliant blue speckles that concentrate on the head and shoulders, a pattern that reads best against dark rock under blue-heavy lighting. Keep it in a 75 litre or larger reef tank at 24-27C, salinity 1.024-1.026, pH 8.1-8.4, with plenty of branching structure to dodge through, which it uses constantly. It takes mysis, enriched brine, finely chopped seafood and small pellets readily. Among damselfish it sits on the calmer end and is usually reef and community safe, though it is more assertive than Talbot's. Keep one, or a group introduced simultaneously in a larger tank, and give it structure rather than open space so it can retreat instead of confront.
Frequently asked questions
How active is a Springer's Damselfish?
Moderate. An active swimmer that appreciates open swimming space.
How much maintenance does a Springer's Damselfish need?
Routine tank care. Weekly partial water changes keep them in top shape.
What tank size does a Springer's Damselfish need?
Nano-tank friendly. Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.
Is a Springer's Damselfish a good fit for first-time owners?
Some experience helps. A little know-how makes life smoother.
How long do Springer's Damselfish live?
5โ10 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.
What health issues affect the Springer's Damselfish?
Keep an eye out for Ich (white spot), Fin rot, Parasites. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.
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