Identity a fish and it is reef-safe

dzh73 · Mar 27, 2023

Hi all, I am new at this forum. Long time ago, my friend gave me some fish before he exited this hobby. One of fish got bigger over times to the tune of about 3.5 inches, I am afraid he might get even bigger and pose a threat to corals and other peaceful/small fish.
Anyone know its exact name? Is it reef-safe?

LiLinka · Mar 27, 2023

It looks to be a bowtie damselfish . I may be wrong, but It definitely looks to be a damsel. I have heard bowties tend to be very aggressive towards other tank mates. I read they are reef safe with caution. Which I’m guessing means he may pick as certain corals if tempted to.

dedragon · Mar 27, 2023

it is a damselfish but i dont think it is a bowtie, bowtie have a full black tail from what I have seen. Unsure what species as there are a lot of damsels and most people dont have huge ones like that. Given that it is a large damsel it will most likely be territorial, especially towards new fish. If it doesnt bother anything I would just leave it in the tank

ISpeakForTheSeas · Mar 27, 2023

My guess would be Neoglyphidodon melas (the Bluefin/Black/Bowtie Damselfish) as well - but I've only seen one with the tail not fully colored yet and the tail fin still fully translucent like this (the tip of the tail and the tips of the fins near it seem to be the last to transition from juvenile color to adult color):

Blue Fin Damsel

Hi experts, been having a blue fin damsel for a while now.. initially its color was like this.. But now it look like this... Is this normal? Is this its adult coloration? Thanks.

www.reef2reef.com

Some others with just the very tips of the tail/fins still translucent (it looks like they might never fully darken for some adults):