Chrysiptera talboti

(Allen, 1975)

Talbot's Demoiselle

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Andaman Sea in the eastern Indian Ocean to Fiji, north to Palau, south to the Great Barrier Reef.

Size: 3 inches (6 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits deep lagoons and coral rich seaward slopes at depths between 10 to about 100 feet (3 – 30 m) and mainly feeds on planktonic crustaceans (copepods, mysis, and shrimp larvae), fish eggs and algae.

General Husbandry: Occassionaly seen the trade and this quite attractive species has a pale white body with yellow on the forehead and a black spot on the upper mid body.

Best maintained in aquariums having hiding places, as this docile species is sometimes picked on by more aggressive fishes.

As to diet, a meaty diet, e.g., live fortified brine shrimp and/or finely chopped various frozen or fresh meaty foods such as mysis, squid, fish flesh, shrimp, clam and plant material, e.g., flake foods, especially those containing Spirulina should also be offered several times daily.

Taxonomy:

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Labroidei

Family: Pomacentridae

Subfamily: Pomacentrinae

Genus: Chrysiptera

FYI: May be maintained in small groups if desired; yet best accomplished in larger aquariums, e.g., 50+ gallons, as they tend to pick on each other in smaller aquariums.

Excellent reef aquarium species.

Experience Level: Beginner

Temperament: Peaceful

Diet: Omnivore

Coral Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: With caution

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Tankmates: Peaceful

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

Temperature Range: 74 - 84°F (23 – 28°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5