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Yellowtail Blue Damsel

Pale-tail Chromis Family: Pomacentridae

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Chromis xanthura

  The Pale-tail Chromis or Yellowtail Blue Damsel displays typical damselfish behavior, very active and a great eater! A good fish for the beginner as it is hardy and inexpensive.

   This is a young specimen of the Pale-tail Chromis or Yellowtail Blue Damsel, about 1 inch long. Generally juveniles like this will be available from a marine fish store. As they mature, their tails loose the yellow and become white and the bright blues become a more bluish grey.

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

Maintenance difficulty:
   The Pale-tail Chromis or Yellowtail Blue Damsel 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.

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.

Sex: Sexual differences:
   Not Known.

Light: Recommended light levels:
   No special requirements.

Breeding/Reproduction:
   Some of the damselfish have been bred in captivity. See general breeding techniques under Clownfish on the marine breeding page.

Temperature:
   No special requirements.

Length/Diameter of fish:
   Pale-tail Chromis or Yellowtail Blue Damsel adults can grow to 10 cm ( 4.0 inches) in the wild! Apparently they only get about half that size in captivity.

Minimum Tank Length/Size:
   A minimum 20 gallon aquarium is recommended if this is the only fish to be kept in it.

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

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

Availability:
   This fish is readily available.

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Latest Comments
My husband and I are new at the saltwater. After we got our tank set and waited till all was right w/the salt and such, we bought two of these lovely fish. However, after we put them in, we can't seem to find them anymore, we are confused as there are no other fish in the tank. Hope to see them soon. Diane 2009-10-29
I've had my yellow tail damsel for almost a year now, it was the first fish in my tank. I've had fish come and go in my tank due to various reasons, but my yellow tail has held on thick and thin and is by far the hardiest fish I've ever had. However, he is aggressive with new fish, though only shortly after he "tells them he's boss". My damsel is cautious and loves swimming in and out of my rock. He is getting "lighter" in color as he gets older. This is a great fish starting out and isn't that aggressive. Kate 2009-02-18
I have 2 clownfish and they're very cool. I also have a lot of other saltwater fish. My cat stickes her paw down in the aquarium because she thinks they are pretty, but she can never catch them. daniel dye 2008-11-26
I have had saltwater fish for only 3 months now and my two fish are a yellowtail damsel and an ocellaris clownfish. My clownfish was mean and picked on the damsel, but now my damsel has gotten agressive and fights with my clown. A very active fish and they both like to pick at the live rock. They are a very pretty fish. Callum 2008-03-10
Our yellow tail killed our chocolate chip star fish. eric 2008-02-23
Some of the coolest comments:
Damsels are good fish for the cycle process and are cute while they are young or juvenile. When they age, like people, they lose their vibrance and become a little more cranky. I house 2 of them now, a yellowtail and a velvet in a 55 gallon reef tank. I was going to trade or sell the damsels after the cycle process was completed but I noticed them eating algae off the rocks in between the zoas and the paly's that the turbo snails can't get at so I am thinking now that I may keep them around. Typically they hate anything new in their space but mine seem oddly docile...they don't attack other fish, even new tank mates. They do go after the snails and my hermit crabs but I can't tell if it is an aggressive lunge or if they are eating off the shells. It appears as though they are just picking stuff off the shells. Conserve the reefs..propagate your corals. Ryan 2009-06-29
Just to update... I added a new few new fish and the little yellow tail damsel went at them like a parana while ignoring pre-existing fish. I quickly removed the yellow tail from the tank and moved around the rocks. Then put the yellow tail back in thinking he was in a new tank. Since he was last in once again, no problem. I recommend adding yellow tails last or to remove and re-arrange, then put back in after new fish. Mine leaves pre-existing fish alone. Danny 2006-02-05

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Author: David Brough. CFS.