Microspathodon dorsalis

(Gill, 1862)

Giant Damselfish

Range: Eastern Pacific Ocean: Central Gulf of California to Malpelo Island, Colombia, and the Galapagos Islands.

Size: 12 inches (31 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits rocky and coral reefs exposed to strong surge in boulder areas at depths between 3 to about 15 feet (1 – 5 m) and mainly feeds on algae, yet also somewhat on benthic invertebrates.

General Husbandry: Rarely ever seen the trade because as with all in this genus, it would not be a good peaceful community fish in most home aquariums. The juvenile has a dark blue body with several pale white, sometimes iridescent blue spots, whereas adults are a blackish blue with white edging on all the fins.

Must be housed with very aggressive fishes, e.g., dottybacks, large angelfishes and surgeonfishes, and triggerfishes.

As to aquarium environment, provide a boulder habitat with hiding places, and very good water movement.

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: Microspathodon

FYI: Large and very aggressive! Think twice before putting these in your aquarium!

Best left in the wild.

Experience Level: Professional

Temperament: Very aggressive

Diet: Omnivore

Coral Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: With caution

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Tankmates: Very aggressive

Minimum Tank Size: 300 gallons

Temperature Range: 68 - 82°F (20 – 27°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5