Blue Devil Damsel - Chrysiptera cyanea

Blue Devil Damsel (Chrysiptera cyanea)

The Blue Devil Damsel is a bright, hardy and highly active marine damselfish, prized for its vivid electric-blue colour and bold reef behaviour. Mature males may develop yellow to orange colouration on the tail and snout, while females and juveniles are usually mostly blue and may show a small dark spot near the rear of the dorsal fin. Also known as the Blue Damselfish, Blue Demoiselle or Sapphire Devil, this species is extremely colourful and durable, but it can become territorial once established, so it should be stocked carefully.

Common Name:
Blue Devil Damsel. Also commonly referred to as the Blue Devil Damselfish, Blue Damselfish, Blue Demoiselle, Sapphire Devil, Sky-Blue Damsel or Orange Tail Blue Damsel.

Scientific Name (Latin):
Chrysiptera cyanea

Maximum Size:
Around 8–8.5 cm, making it a small to medium-sized damselfish.

Water Type:
Marine.

Origin / Natural Habitat:
Found across the Indo-West Pacific and Western Pacific, including Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines and surrounding reef regions. In the wild, it is found among coral, rubble and clear sheltered lagoon or reef-flat habitats, often close to holes and crevices where it can retreat quickly. FishBase notes that adults occur among rubble and coral in clear sheltered lagoons and subtidal reef flats.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–27°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Salinity: 1.020–1.025 SG

Temperament:
Semi-aggressive to aggressive. Juveniles can be manageable, but adults may become territorial and defensive, especially once they have claimed a cave, rock or section of the aquarium. Best kept with confident marine fish that will not be easily bullied.

Diet:
Omnivorous. In the wild, it feeds on algae, pelagic tunicates and copepods. In the aquarium it should be offered a varied diet including quality marine flakes, small pellets, frozen mysis, brineshrimp, cyclops, copepods, finely chopped marine foods and algae or spirulina-based foods.

Minimum Tank Size:
A practical recommendation is at least 120 litres for a single specimen, with larger aquariums preferred for mixed communities or if keeping it with other territorial fish.

Behaviour & Activity:
This is an active, diurnal reef fish that spends much of the day swimming around rockwork, defending a small territory and darting in and out of holes or crevices. In nature, it may occur in small groups, with males guarding and aerating eggs during breeding. A well-structured aquarium with plenty of rockwork and broken sight lines helps reduce territorial pressure.

Reef Safe:
Reef Safe
This species is generally considered safe with corals and most common reef invertebrates. The main issue in a reef aquarium is territorial behaviour towards other fish rather than coral damage. Some specimens may opportunistically pick at very small benthic crustaceans, so delicate microfauna-focused systems should still be monitored.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept in a mature marine aquarium with stable water quality, good oxygenation, live rock, caves and plenty of hiding places. Although hardy once settled, it should still be introduced into a properly cycled system. Avoid adding it too early to a peaceful reef if you plan to introduce timid fish later, as established damsels can become difficult to remove and may defend their territory strongly.

Suitable for:
Beginner to intermediate marine fishkeepers

Availability:
Common / occasional in trade

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.