Domino Damselfish Care Guide

Glossary:

Care Guide & Requirements
Reef Safe
Prices
Food & Diet
Facts
Tank Mates & Environment
FAQs

Also known as a Three-Spot Damsel, the Domino damselfish (scientific name Dascyllus trimaculatus) is a uniquely colored fish that can add some appeal to your saltwater tank. It’s a black-colored fish with three white spots on its body.

While a colorful addition, this fish’s aggressive nature may not make it right for your tank. However, with proper care and diligence, this fish can complement the rest of your tank.

Is the Domino damselfish reef safe?

The Domino damselfish is reef-safe and works well in these environments. This fish never goes after coral or invertebrates and its natural habitat is a reef environment.

Domino damselfish food and diet

You won’t have a hard time feeding the Domino damselfish, as it’s omnivorous and eats most foods that you feed it. You can feed this fish everything from live and frozen Mysis and brine shrimp to spirulina flakes.

However, when feeding this fish, keep in mind that its aggressive nature may leave other fish without food. This is why you should ensure your damselfish get plenty of food and carefully plan feeding times for both them and other fish.

Domino damselfish FAQs

How big will a Domino damsel get?

The Domino damselfish isn’t among the biggest. You can expect these fish to grow to around five inches when fully grown. However, as deep-bodied fish, they often explore and require plenty of space to do so. This is why you’ll benefit from getting a tank that’s at least 55 gallons.

Are Domino damselfish aggressive?

Most damselfish are aggressive, and the Domino is no exception. In fact, it’s among the most aggressive damselfish out there, and is just as aggressive toward other Dominos as it is toward other vulnerable tank mates. This is why it’s best to keep this fish on its own or in breeding pairs.

Why is my Domino damsel turning white?

Similar to other damselfish, the Domino damselfish changes color based on its social situation and stress level. Generally, the Domino damsel tends to turn white when it’s either laying or protecting its eggs. However, it could turn white from stress or other reasons, but some have been unable to determine the precise reason for this specific color change.

Domino damselfish price

You won’t need to pay much at all to add these fish to your saltwater tank. They’re among the least expensive at around $10 in most places, and you’ll rarely find them above $20. Simply look around at different vendors to find the right price point and specimen for you.

Domino damselfish facts

Here are some interesting facts about the Domino damselfish that you may not have known:

The Domino damselfish loves to swim around anemones. They rely on anemones for protection when sleeping as they get older, and they use them as shelter when spawning and defending eggs.
You can find the Domino damselfish in the waters of the Indo-West Pacific region along with the Red Sea.
Male Domino damselfish are the ones that protect the eggs once spawned. They’ll guard and aerate the eggs until it comes time for them to hatch. Before doing so, the male will also clear a specific spot in the substrate for the eggs.

What other fish are the best tank mates for the Domino damselfish?

The Domino damselfish’s aggressiveness can make finding compatible tank mates a more challenging task for aquarists. You can’t keep them with vulnerable fish that might serve as prey.

When selecting tank mates for your Domino damsel, you’ll want to practice some care. First, before adding your Domino in a tank with other fish, introduce your less aggressive species and give them a chance to establish their own territory. You’ll also do well to introduce your Domino when it’s a juvenile.

In general, you should give the Domino ample space to claim for itself and ensure any tank mates are capable of holding their own. Some species that can coexist with a Domino damsel include clownfish, angelfish, and basslets.

Where to buy Domino damselfish

There’s no shortage of places to buy the Domino damselfish. You can find this fish at the following stores, among others:

Although it’s among the more aggressive fish, the Domino damselfish is potentially a great little fish to add to your tank.