Microspathodon chrysurus
Yellowtail Damselfish
Maximum Size:
8.3 in (21 cm)
Longevity:
Unknown, likely around 5 years in the wild and 15 years in captivity.
Typical depth:
10–40 ft (3–12 m)
Behavior:
As with most species of damselfish, yellowtails are sedentary and territorial, defending an area of the reef from other fish of the same species. They favor areas with holes, crevices and fire coral, as the latter constitutes a large portion of the yellowtail’s diet. They also feed on turf algae that grows on the reef.
Predators:
Grouper, jacks and barracuda.
Did you know?
Yellowtail damselfish engage in clutch cannibalism, which is when a parent consumes members of its brood. This has been observed both directly and through gut contents analysis in this species. Scientists do not fully understood why this occurs, but one of the reasons hypothesized is that it could lead to increased survival of parent damselfish in poor conditions.