Chrysiptera taupou

(Jordan & Seale, 1906)

South Sea Devil, Fiji Blue Devil Damselfish

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Coral Sea, including the Great Barrier Reef, to Samoa.

Size: 3 inches (8 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits rubble areas and rocky outcrops in protected inner reef flats and shallow lagoons at depths between 3 to about 15 feet (1 – 5 m) and mainly feeds on filamentous algae, and somewhat on small benthic crustaceans.

General Husbandry: An attractive and commonly seen species in the trade, having a yellow belly, anal, pelvic and tail fin, with bright blue throughout the rest of the body. As to the dorsal, blue at its base, with yellow throughout the remaining fin area.

One of the most feisty and belligerent species in this genus!

Very hardy, and best housed with dottybacks, large angelfishes and surgeonfishes, and triggerfishes.

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 be offered several times daily.

Taxonomy:

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Labroidei

Family: Pomacentridae

Subfamily: Pomacentrinae

Genus: Chrysiptera

FYI: One per aquarium unless a mated pair.

Best not maintained with other damselfish species, as they are combative with other members of the family.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Temperament: Feisty/belligerent

Diet: Omnivore

Coral Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: Yes

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Tankmates: Aggressive

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

Temperature Range: 74 - 82°F (23 – 27°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5