Regal Damsel - Chrysiptera hemicyanea
Regal Damsel (Chrysiptera hemicyanea)
The Regal Damsel, Chrysiptera hemicyanea, is a vibrant small marine damselfish with an electric blue front half and bright yellow rear body and tail. Also known as the Azure Damselfish or Azure Demoiselle, this Western Pacific species is a hardy, colourful choice for reef aquariums with plenty of rockwork and branching coral-style shelter. It is generally less aggressive than many classic damselfish, but it is still territorial once settled, so tank mate choice and aquarium layout are important.
Common Name:
Regal Damsel, Azure Damselfish, Azure Demoiselle, Half-blue Damselfish, Yellow-tail Blue Damsel.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Chrysiptera hemicyanea
Maximum Size:
Up to around 7 cm.
Water Type:
Marine
Origin / Natural Habitat:
Indo-West Pacific, especially Indonesia, the Philippines, northern Australia and surrounding western Pacific reef regions. Naturally found on lagoon reefs and nearshore coral reefs, usually in small aggregations among branching corals such as Acropora, where it shelters quickly and feeds on plankton above the reef.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–27°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Hardness or Salinity: SG 1.020–1.025
Temperament:
Semi-territorial. Usually more manageable than aggressive damsels such as Blue Devil or Domino Damsels, but mature individuals may defend a chosen area of rockwork and can chase timid or newly introduced fish. Best kept with confident reef-safe tank mates in an aquarium with good territory breaks.
Diet:
Omnivorous planktivore. In the wild, it feeds mainly on plankton in the water column. In the aquarium, offer quality marine flakes, small pellets, frozen mysis, enriched brineshrimp, copepods, cyclops and occasional algae or spirulina-based foods. It usually feeds readily once settled.
Minimum Tank Size:
A minimum of 100 litres is recommended for a single specimen, with larger aquariums preferred for community reef setups or groups. Provide plenty of live rock, caves, branching coral-style structure and visual barriers.
Behaviour & Activity:
An active daytime swimmer that spends much of its time moving between rockwork and open water, often hovering above a defended patch of reef structure. It may be kept singly, as a compatible pair or in carefully planned larger groups, but small groups can lead to bullying if space and cover are limited. It becomes bolder once established and may claim a cave, coral head or rocky area as its territory.
Reef Safe:
Reef Safe
Safe with corals, snails, hermit crabs, cleaner shrimps and most common reef invertebrates. The main reef aquarium concern is territorial behaviour towards very timid fish, small peaceful gobies, firefish or newly introduced tank mates, rather than coral damage.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Provide a mature, stable marine aquarium with strong rock structure and multiple hiding places. Add with care to very peaceful communities, and avoid overcrowding with other territorial damsels in small tanks. If keeping more than one, introduce at the same time and provide ample space, though a single specimen is often easiest. A secure lid is recommended for all small marine fish.
Suitable for:
Beginner to intermediate fishkeepers
Availability:
Common in trade
All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.
Description
Regal Damsel (Chrysiptera hemicyanea)
The Regal Damsel, Chrysiptera hemicyanea, is a vibrant small marine damselfish with an electric blue front half and bright yellow rear body and tail. Also known as the Azure Damselfish or Azure Demoiselle, this Western Pacific species is a hardy, colourful choice for reef aquariums with plenty of rockwork and branching coral-style shelter. It is generally less aggressive than many classic damselfish, but it is still territorial once settled, so tank mate choice and aquarium layout are important.
Common Name:
Regal Damsel, Azure Damselfish, Azure Demoiselle, Half-blue Damselfish, Yellow-tail Blue Damsel.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Chrysiptera hemicyanea
Maximum Size:
Up to around 7 cm.
Water Type:
Marine
Origin / Natural Habitat:
Indo-West Pacific, especially Indonesia, the Philippines, northern Australia and surrounding western Pacific reef regions. Naturally found on lagoon reefs and nearshore coral reefs, usually in small aggregations among branching corals such as Acropora, where it shelters quickly and feeds on plankton above the reef.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–27°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Hardness or Salinity: SG 1.020–1.025
Temperament:
Semi-territorial. Usually more manageable than aggressive damsels such as Blue Devil or Domino Damsels, but mature individuals may defend a chosen area of rockwork and can chase timid or newly introduced fish. Best kept with confident reef-safe tank mates in an aquarium with good territory breaks.
Diet:
Omnivorous planktivore. In the wild, it feeds mainly on plankton in the water column. In the aquarium, offer quality marine flakes, small pellets, frozen mysis, enriched brineshrimp, copepods, cyclops and occasional algae or spirulina-based foods. It usually feeds readily once settled.
Minimum Tank Size:
A minimum of 100 litres is recommended for a single specimen, with larger aquariums preferred for community reef setups or groups. Provide plenty of live rock, caves, branching coral-style structure and visual barriers.
Behaviour & Activity:
An active daytime swimmer that spends much of its time moving between rockwork and open water, often hovering above a defended patch of reef structure. It may be kept singly, as a compatible pair or in carefully planned larger groups, but small groups can lead to bullying if space and cover are limited. It becomes bolder once established and may claim a cave, coral head or rocky area as its territory.
Reef Safe:
Reef Safe
Safe with corals, snails, hermit crabs, cleaner shrimps and most common reef invertebrates. The main reef aquarium concern is territorial behaviour towards very timid fish, small peaceful gobies, firefish or newly introduced tank mates, rather than coral damage.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Provide a mature, stable marine aquarium with strong rock structure and multiple hiding places. Add with care to very peaceful communities, and avoid overcrowding with other territorial damsels in small tanks. If keeping more than one, introduce at the same time and provide ample space, though a single specimen is often easiest. A secure lid is recommended for all small marine fish.
Suitable for:
Beginner to intermediate fishkeepers
Availability:
Common in trade
All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.
