Four Stripe Damsel - Dascyllus melanurus

Four Stripe Damsel (Dascyllus melanurus)

The Four Stripe Damsel, Dascyllus melanurus, is a hardy marine damselfish with a bold black and white barred body and a distinctive black tail section. Also known as the Four-striped Humbug, Blacktail Humbug or Blacktail Damselfish, this active species is attractive, robust and reef safe with corals, but it becomes territorial as it matures. It is best suited to mature marine aquariums with plenty of rockwork, hiding places and tank mates that can cope with its confident damselfish behaviour.

Common Name:
Four Stripe Damsel, Four-striped Damsel, Four-striped Humbug, Blacktail Humbug, Blacktail Damselfish, Fourstripe Damselfish.

Scientific Name (Latin):
Dascyllus melanurus

Maximum Size:
Up to around 8 cm.

Water Type:
Marine

Origin / Natural Habitat:
Western Pacific, including Indonesia, the Philippines, New Guinea, the Indo-Australian Archipelago, the western Caroline Islands and the northern Great Barrier Reef region. In the wild, Four Stripe Damsels are associated with sheltered inshore reefs, clear lagoon areas and isolated coral heads, where they use branching coral and rock structure for shelter.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–27°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Hardness or Salinity: Marine salinity 1.023–1.026 specific gravity; stable marine water quality and good oxygenation are recommended.

Temperament:
Semi-aggressive. Juveniles may be sociable and appear relatively peaceful, but adults often become territorial and can bully timid or newly introduced fish. Best kept with confident tank mates and plenty of rockwork to break up territories.

Diet:
Omnivorous. In the wild, this species feeds on small planktonic and benthic foods, including crustacean larvae, copepods, amphipods, fish eggs, algae and other small reef organisms. In the aquarium, offer quality marine flakes, small pellets, mysis shrimp, enriched brineshrimp, cyclops, finely chopped seafood and algae-based foods.

Minimum Tank Size:
A minimum of 150 litres is recommended for a single specimen, with larger aquariums preferred for community setups or multiple damsels. More space helps reduce territorial pressure.

Behaviour & Activity:
An active reef-associated damselfish that spends much of its time swimming near rockwork, coral heads and chosen shelter. It may hover in open water when relaxed, then retreat quickly into caves or branching structure when startled. Adults often claim a territory and defend it strongly, especially against similar-sized fish or other damsels.

Reef Safe:
Reef Safe with Caution
Safe with corals and most ornamental invertebrates, but caution is needed because of territorial behaviour. Larger or more assertive individuals may disturb very small crustaceans or intimidate peaceful reef fish, but they do not normally damage coral tissue.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Provide a mature aquarium with stable salinity, strong filtration, open swimming space and plenty of caves, overhangs and rockwork. Add more peaceful fish before this species where possible, as established damsels can be difficult to remove and may harass later additions. Avoid very timid fish, tiny gobies, delicate firefish and other peaceful species that may be bullied. A secure lid is recommended, as active marine fish can jump when startled.

Suitable for:
Beginner to intermediate marine fishkeepers

Availability:
Common to occasional in trade / Marine import

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.