Orangetail Blue Damselfish (Chrysiptera cyanea)
Orangetail Blue Damselfish (Chrysiptera cyanea)
The Orangetail Blue Damselfish, often simply called the Blue Devil, is the "electric blue" pulse of the Indo-Pacific reefs. While you might recognize the name from the Orange Line Damsel we discussed earlier, the "Orangetail" specifically refers to the sexually dimorphic males of this species. It is a fish of extremes: extreme color, extreme hardiness, and an extremely bold personality that belies its small size.
Key Information
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Common Names: Orangetail Blue Damsel, Blue Devil, Cornflower Damsel
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Scientific Name: Chrysiptera cyanea
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Origin: Indo-West Pacific (Indonesia to the Great Barrier Reef)
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Max Size: 8 cm (approx. 3 inches)
-
Lifespan: 5–10 years
-
Temperament: Aggressive; highly territorial
-
Diet: Omnivore – Opportunistic feeder
-
Care Level: Very Easy
Appearance & Identification
The C. cyanea is famous for its "high-definition" color:
-
The Electric Blue: The entire body is a brilliant, almost glowing neon sapphire blue. Under high-quality reef lighting, it looks like it is powered by LEDs.
-
The "Orangetail" (The Male): In this species, the males develop a bright orange-to-yellow tail fin and often an orange-tinted snout.
-
The Female: Generally solid blue with a small black spot at the base of the rear dorsal fin.
-
The Eyes: Features a dark horizontal bar through the eye, giving it a look of constant "predatory" focus.
Behaviour: The "Reef Guardian"
-
Fearless Territory: This fish is the "security guard" of the rockwork. It will select a specific territory and aggressively drive away any fish—even those five times its size—that gets too close.
-
The "Blue Flash": They are incredibly fast. You will often see them "flashing" across the tank to chase a rival or grab a piece of food.
-
Reef Safe: 100% Reef Safe with corals and clams. However, they may harass very small, delicate shrimp or sessile invertebrates if they are in their "territory."
-
Social Structure: Only keep one male per tank unless the aquarium is very large (over 400L). You can keep a male with a group of females if they are all added at the same time.
Ideal Tank Setup
-
Tank Size: A minimum of 75L–115L (20–30 Gallons) for a single specimen. In larger tanks, their aggression is diluted because other fish have room to escape.
-
Rockwork: Provide complex rock structures with multiple exits. This allows the Damsel to feel secure in its "fortress" while giving other fish places to hide.
-
Feeding: They are among the easiest fish to feed. They will thrive on a mix of frozen mysis, brine shrimp, high-quality flakes, and herbivore pellets.
-
Water Quality: This is a "bulletproof" fish. It can handle fluctuations in water quality that would be fatal to delicate wrasses, making it a great choice for maturing a system.
Why Choose the Orangetail Blue Damsel?
The Orangetail Blue Damsel is for the hobbyist who wants vibrant, moving color that never fades. While they have a reputation for being "mean," their aggression is actually just high activity and confidence. If you stock them correctly with other assertive fish (like Tangs or Dottybacks), they are a joy to watch.
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Orangetail Blue Damselfish (Chrysiptera cyanea)
Orangetail Blue Damselfish (Chrysiptera cyanea)
Orangetail Blue Damselfish (Chrysiptera cyanea)
The Orangetail Blue Damselfish, often simply called the Blue Devil, is the "electric blue" pulse of the Indo-Pacific reefs. While you might recognize the name from the Orange Line Damsel we discussed earlier, the "Orangetail" specifically refers to the sexually dimorphic males of this species. It is a fish of extremes: extreme color, extreme hardiness, and an extremely bold personality that belies its small size.
Key Information
-
Common Names: Orangetail Blue Damsel, Blue Devil, Cornflower Damsel
-
Scientific Name: Chrysiptera cyanea
-
Origin: Indo-West Pacific (Indonesia to the Great Barrier Reef)
-
Max Size: 8 cm (approx. 3 inches)
-
Lifespan: 5–10 years
-
Temperament: Aggressive; highly territorial
-
Diet: Omnivore – Opportunistic feeder
-
Care Level: Very Easy
Appearance & Identification
The C. cyanea is famous for its "high-definition" color:
-
The Electric Blue: The entire body is a brilliant, almost glowing neon sapphire blue. Under high-quality reef lighting, it looks like it is powered by LEDs.
-
The "Orangetail" (The Male): In this species, the males develop a bright orange-to-yellow tail fin and often an orange-tinted snout.
-
The Female: Generally solid blue with a small black spot at the base of the rear dorsal fin.
-
The Eyes: Features a dark horizontal bar through the eye, giving it a look of constant "predatory" focus.
Behaviour: The "Reef Guardian"
-
Fearless Territory: This fish is the "security guard" of the rockwork. It will select a specific territory and aggressively drive away any fish—even those five times its size—that gets too close.
-
The "Blue Flash": They are incredibly fast. You will often see them "flashing" across the tank to chase a rival or grab a piece of food.
-
Reef Safe: 100% Reef Safe with corals and clams. However, they may harass very small, delicate shrimp or sessile invertebrates if they are in their "territory."
-
Social Structure: Only keep one male per tank unless the aquarium is very large (over 400L). You can keep a male with a group of females if they are all added at the same time.
Ideal Tank Setup
-
Tank Size: A minimum of 75L–115L (20–30 Gallons) for a single specimen. In larger tanks, their aggression is diluted because other fish have room to escape.
-
Rockwork: Provide complex rock structures with multiple exits. This allows the Damsel to feel secure in its "fortress" while giving other fish places to hide.
-
Feeding: They are among the easiest fish to feed. They will thrive on a mix of frozen mysis, brine shrimp, high-quality flakes, and herbivore pellets.
-
Water Quality: This is a "bulletproof" fish. It can handle fluctuations in water quality that would be fatal to delicate wrasses, making it a great choice for maturing a system.
Why Choose the Orangetail Blue Damsel?
The Orangetail Blue Damsel is for the hobbyist who wants vibrant, moving color that never fades. While they have a reputation for being "mean," their aggression is actually just high activity and confidence. If you stock them correctly with other assertive fish (like Tangs or Dottybacks), they are a joy to watch.
Original: $12.87
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Description
Orangetail Blue Damselfish (Chrysiptera cyanea)
The Orangetail Blue Damselfish, often simply called the Blue Devil, is the "electric blue" pulse of the Indo-Pacific reefs. While you might recognize the name from the Orange Line Damsel we discussed earlier, the "Orangetail" specifically refers to the sexually dimorphic males of this species. It is a fish of extremes: extreme color, extreme hardiness, and an extremely bold personality that belies its small size.
Key Information
-
Common Names: Orangetail Blue Damsel, Blue Devil, Cornflower Damsel
-
Scientific Name: Chrysiptera cyanea
-
Origin: Indo-West Pacific (Indonesia to the Great Barrier Reef)
-
Max Size: 8 cm (approx. 3 inches)
-
Lifespan: 5–10 years
-
Temperament: Aggressive; highly territorial
-
Diet: Omnivore – Opportunistic feeder
-
Care Level: Very Easy
Appearance & Identification
The C. cyanea is famous for its "high-definition" color:
-
The Electric Blue: The entire body is a brilliant, almost glowing neon sapphire blue. Under high-quality reef lighting, it looks like it is powered by LEDs.
-
The "Orangetail" (The Male): In this species, the males develop a bright orange-to-yellow tail fin and often an orange-tinted snout.
-
The Female: Generally solid blue with a small black spot at the base of the rear dorsal fin.
-
The Eyes: Features a dark horizontal bar through the eye, giving it a look of constant "predatory" focus.
Behaviour: The "Reef Guardian"
-
Fearless Territory: This fish is the "security guard" of the rockwork. It will select a specific territory and aggressively drive away any fish—even those five times its size—that gets too close.
-
The "Blue Flash": They are incredibly fast. You will often see them "flashing" across the tank to chase a rival or grab a piece of food.
-
Reef Safe: 100% Reef Safe with corals and clams. However, they may harass very small, delicate shrimp or sessile invertebrates if they are in their "territory."
-
Social Structure: Only keep one male per tank unless the aquarium is very large (over 400L). You can keep a male with a group of females if they are all added at the same time.
Ideal Tank Setup
-
Tank Size: A minimum of 75L–115L (20–30 Gallons) for a single specimen. In larger tanks, their aggression is diluted because other fish have room to escape.
-
Rockwork: Provide complex rock structures with multiple exits. This allows the Damsel to feel secure in its "fortress" while giving other fish places to hide.
-
Feeding: They are among the easiest fish to feed. They will thrive on a mix of frozen mysis, brine shrimp, high-quality flakes, and herbivore pellets.
-
Water Quality: This is a "bulletproof" fish. It can handle fluctuations in water quality that would be fatal to delicate wrasses, making it a great choice for maturing a system.
Why Choose the Orangetail Blue Damsel?
The Orangetail Blue Damsel is for the hobbyist who wants vibrant, moving color that never fades. While they have a reputation for being "mean," their aggression is actually just high activity and confidence. If you stock them correctly with other assertive fish (like Tangs or Dottybacks), they are a joy to watch.
