Dascyllus marginatus

(Ruppell, 1829)

Margined Dascyllus, Red Sea Dascyllus

Range: Western Indian Ocean: Red Sea and Gulf of Oman.

Size: 2 inches (6 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits branching coral growths on fringing and barrier reefs, lagoon patch reefs, back reefs, reef faces, and fore-reef slopes at depths between 3 to about 100 feet (1 – 30 m) and mainly feeds on planktonic crustaceans (copepods, mysis, and shrimp larvae), fish eggs and algae.

General Husbandry: Rarely seen in the trade, yet one of the more ‘somewhat’ peaceful and hardy members in this genus. Has a whitish body with a black spot just aft of the gills and black edging on the dorsal, and black pelvic and anal fins.

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: Chrominae

Genus: Dascyllus

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.

Expansive growths of branching stony corals provide this species a more appropriate environment.

Experience Level: Beginner

Temperament: Fairly 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: 72 - 84°F (22 – 28°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5