BLUE DAMSEL FISH
The Blue Damselfish is the first fish that will stand out in any open water coral garden. Spotted in Batok Divesite at 1 Meter, this dazzling almost lapis lazuli color is mostly found in tropical to subtropical climates like California and the Pacific Mexico coast.
The attractive color also defines their genders, with the male being completely blue while females have orange on their tail hence the orangetail damselfish name. Other names are blue demoiselle, Blue devil, Sapphire Devil and Blue Devil, all pertaining to it’s temperament. They are very territorial oftentimes aggressive. Size doesn’t really matter because they are small growing to their maximum size to about 30cm and a foot in length. The Fiji Blue devil are known to be the most aggressive of damsel fishes. When threatened they hide in crevices or holes and change color to almost black and returns to electric blue when they are guaranteed their safety.
From the family of the Pomacentridae that also includes the clown fishes, they feed on planktons, algae and crustaceans…yes despite their size, however they also act as protectors to them in particular the mysid shrimps. It was observed in the Carrie Bow Cay Belize that mysid shrimp swarms are only found on those that are defended by the damsel fish. The damselfish looks after them like their pets. But due to their size as well they are oftentimes bullied too by bigger fishes, keeping these foul attitude in check.
Breeding and spawing is never a problem, although in open water and in Batok dive site I just spotted this school by the corals on my descent at a meter down from the boat and that was it. I did not see them again until my next dives in Mainit Dive site and Dive and Trek Dive site. Is it possibly in connection with the 79 degree to 83 degree Farenheit or 26 degree Celsius to 28 degree Celsius optimal temp? Nesting sites are held by territorially by the male. Remember Marlin, Nemo’s Dad? Well Damsels are known to have breeding patterns like the clown fishes.
They have remarkable mating rituals. Females visit the males a day ahead of conception, pick out her preferred mate by stopping in front of him and with head up give out a light ring from her eyes. But this only means she’s interested. Once chosen the male begins courtship by impressing the female damsel, he uses clicking sounds and exciting swim dance. If Female is impressed, Male will lead her to his nest and female damsel fishes have been known to take up to 20 minutes evaluation time the smooth surface prepped by the male damsel. Female will come back either the next day and release up to 3,000 eggs. Males then spray these eggs with sperm and left to tend to his nest. Male damsels can have up to 3 females fertilizing his nest and nesting sites can hold up to 10,000 eggs. On rare occasions a male can choose to abandon small egg nest and move over to another larger nest.
Their Scientific Name is Chrysiptera Cyanea.
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