To damsel or not to damsel,

[Magellan]

I really wish people would stop discussion about blue devils without specifying Chrysiptera taupou, Chrysiptera cyanea or another fish. They are in the same genus but so are black bears and polar bears, which have different behavior (specifically, the likelihood of eating me).

This one. But personally, I wouldn’t want either a black bear OR a polar bear in my tank.

 

[User1]

I really wish people would stop discussion about blue devils without specifying Chrysiptera taupou, Chrysiptera cyanea or another fish. They are in the same genus but so are black bears and polar bears, which have different behavior (specifically, the likelihood of eating me).

True - but when people talk about more mixed reef or overall more personable Damselfish people start to mention the fish in the Chrysiptera Genus. Azure is in the Chrysiptera Genus as is the Fiji Blue Devil, or Blue, or yellowtail, talbot, Et al. However, the Three Strip or Four stripe is in the Dascyllus Genus and not considered reef friendly and not. All still damsels but of course different Genus. As an example.

Lots to choose from but if one wants a damsel then 9 out of 10 times people will steer hobbyists to the Chrysiptera Genus to start their search.

 

[BradB]

C. cyanea, C. hemicyanea, C. parasema and C. springeri are all medium aggressive bright blue damselfish that I'd recommend in groups in a 200+ gallon tank or as the only damsel in a smaller tank with larger fish.

C. taupou is a much more aggressive fish that should be the only damsel in a 200+ gallon tank, and likely will kill every other fish in a smaller tank.

When people write "Blue Devil", it is unclear which of these fish is being discussed.

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

I love amost all of my damsels. I currently have about 25.

 

[LegendaryCG]

My yellowtail was like an assassin... Killed everything except the Maroon clownfish.