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Domino Damsel
Anemonefish - Damsels Index

Domino Damsel

Three-spot Dascyllus ~ Three-spot Damsel Family: Pomacentridae Picture of a Domino Damsel or Three-spot Damsel, Dascyllus trimaculatus Dascyllus trimaculatus Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy Greg Rothschild
Latest Reader Comment - See More
i have two damsels [two years old]. they have gotten on fine with each other and all of the other fish. one seems to be turning grey [almost see-through] or silver a... (more)  leslie [spud]  2008-06-29

  These damsels are often called the Domino Damsel because of their juvenile coloration which imitates a "domino".

   As juveniles they have a distinct white spot on the forehead and a prominent white spot on the upper side. In a mature Three-spot Dascyllus or Domino Damsel, the marks will most likely disappear or leave just a remnant spot on the side.

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Marine Aquarium

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Geographic Distribution
Dascyllus trimaculatus
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Actinopterygii
  • Order: Perciformes
  • Family: Pomacentridae
Data provided by FishBase.org
Habitat: Natural geographic location:
   Domino Damsel or Three-spot Dascyllus are found in the Western Pacific and the Indo-West Pacific from eastern Africa and the Red Sea to the islands of Oceania. It is not found in Hawaii or the Marquesas Islands. They are found at depths between 3 - 180 feet (1 - 55 meters), and inhabit coral and rocky reefs.

Status:
   These fish are not listed on the IUCN Red List.

Maintenance difficulty:
   The Domino Damsel or Three-spot Dascyllus is among the easiest of all marine fish to keep.

Maintenance:
   This fish will readily eat all kinds of live, frozen, and flake foods and algae. Finely chopped meaty foods (like brine shrimp) can be fed regularly. It is best to feed small amounts several times a day. In a reef situation they don't really need to be fed very often at all.

Foods:
   All kinds. See maintenance above.

Picture of a Domino Damsel or Three-spot Damsel, Dascyllus trimaculatus
Photo courtesy: Joe D

Social Behaviors:
   Like all damselfish, they can be territorial and aggressive, especially as they get older. Can be kept together and with other larger fish but watch them closely to be sure their aggression doesn't become destructive.
   Young Domino Damsels will often live in a comensal relationship with anemones like the one shown here.

Sex: Sexual differences:
   Not Known.

Light: Recommended light levels:
   No special requirements.

Breeding/Reproduction:
   Some of the damselfish have been bred in captivity.
   For more information on the breeding of damselfish, see Marine Fish Breeding: Damselfish.

Temperature:
   No special requirements.

Length/Diameter of fish:
   Domino Damsel or Three-spot Dascyllus adults can grow to 11.0 cm ( 4.3 inches).

Minimum Tank Length/Size:
   A minimum 20 gallon aquarium is recommended.

Water Movement: Weak, Moderate, Strong
   No special requirements.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom
   Swims at all levels of the aquarium.

Availability:
   This fish is almost always available.

 





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Latest Comments
i have two damsels [two years old]. they have gotten on fine with each other and all of the other fish. one seems to be turning grey [almost see-through] or silver at times. seems healthy. any feedback would be appreciated.
leslie [spud]
2008-06-29
I had two of these in my first marine tank. It was a 30 gallon. And they were EVIL. They killed the blue damsel that was in there almost a week before they were and killed off the anthias, fairy wrasse, and blood shrip we tried to add. After a while the bigger one started to go after the smaller one. Nasty little guys.
Amanda
2007-08-24
My young Domino has a crush on my female blue devil. He's not attacking or even chasing her; he's rubbing up against her and I think he's even trying to steal a kiss.
seashells
2007-05-28
my domino damsel is the size of the palm of my hand, give or take. i put a yellow black stripe damsel in my 55 tank first, then an electric blue damsel, then the domino and the domino wasnt agressive at all. it was like there were no fish at all with him. then i added a skooter blenny and a yellow tang. the damsel did nothing to the blenny but almost killed the tang instantly. the damsel chased the tang. i could here it swim through the water and hit the glass a few times. it drug the tang by his tail fin. it was like watching a pit bull attack a poodle i had to immediately transfer the tang to my 12 gallon tank. this happened within a half an hour
jay
2006-01-20
I found with my Domino's they only become mean when they have something to fight over like a rock. After removing all the rocks they got along fine. However when they got close to 3" large I noticed they grew some nice pointy teeth. Up to 1.5" in size they seem to be fine with everyone big and small. After 2"-2.5" in size everything smaller with fins is instantly food. However I must say they seem at least for me to be hardier than freshwater goldfish. They are among my favorites since they never stop zipping around the aquarium and rarely hide. I remove them out at 2" and exchange them for smaller babies at the pet shop to start over again.
Danny
2006-01-18
Some of the coolest comments:
From my experience..my damsels are only aggressive with their kind. My domino damsels dont' attack the Sgt. Maj. and vice versa, but they will attack each other.
Kimberly
2003-07-29
Comments Dr Jungle REALLY Likes to Hear!
We have 2 dominos and they both love our anemones. We thought that strange till we saw your picture.
Tracy
2006-02-02


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