Ahh Chrysiptera; a group (genus) of fish that is both incredibly maligned, and also intensely beautiful, hardy and useful. There are few fish available to the home hobbyist that are as pretty, size appropriate, reef safe and known pest control (as most will consume the dreaded Red Planaria, a topic we've recently covered in some depth.) Their hardiness is legend, in fact on average they are so indestructible that they were once commonly sold to new aquarists as a way to cycle new aquariums. They can live, seemingly unbothered, through the spikes of ammonia and nitrite that accompany any new aquarium. In addition, the genus has an incredibly fast population doubling time, so they are very sustainably collected, and are sometimes available both ranched and aquacultured.
In the end, hobbyists are too afraid of Chrysiptera. You've heard horror stories about damsels, and some of them are true, but this genus is full of gorgeous fish for the reef aquarium and the FOWLR display alike. They all stay small and most stay gorgeous. As long as you make good decisions your display and what tank mates you choose, this group of fish shouldn't be overlooked. If you want to keep a group of them, shoot for as many as you can in the aquarium size you have. Like African Cichlids, the more you have, the more any aggression that crops up gets spread out. You could keep a single Blue Devil in a ten-gallon tank which would look great on your desktop, but you could keep a dozen black caps in a 55, and that would both look amazing, and have unrivaled activity! Don't be scared of Crysiptera. Head to your LFS and ask them about getting you the right one (or group) for your tank today! As always, insist on the best and tell them you want only Quality Marine fish and inverts. Click here to learn more!
In the end, hobbyists are too afraid of Chrysiptera. You've heard horror stories about damsels, and some of them are true, but this genus is full of gorgeous fish for the reef aquarium and the FOWLR display alike. They all stay small and most stay gorgeous. As long as you make good decisions your display and what tank mates you choose, this group of fish shouldn't be overlooked. If you want to keep a group of them, shoot for as many as you can in the aquarium size you have. Like African Cichlids, the more you have, the more any aggression that crops up gets spread out. You could keep a single Blue Devil in a ten-gallon tank which would look great on your desktop, but you could keep a dozen black caps in a 55, and that would both look amazing, and have unrivaled activity! Don't be scared of Crysiptera. Head to your LFS and ask them about getting you the right one (or group) for your tank today! As always, insist on the best and tell them you want only Quality Marine fish and inverts. Click here to learn more!
