Yellowtail Damselfish

Yellowtail Damselfish, Juvenile

The Yellowtail Damselfish has a dark bluish-brown body with a bright yellow tail. Its head, back, and dorsal fin are speckled with bright blue spots. Juveniles are dark blue with larger, more noticeable bright blue spots and a translucent tail instead of a yellow one. In some instances, it can temporarily change to a yellow-orange phase, where the entire body becomes yellow-orange.

This Damselfish is territorial and, unlike some other damselfish, it is generally not shy. It feeds on both algae and small creatures. Juveniles are more cautious, often seeking shelter in the branches of Fire Coral or Elkhorn Coral. Juveniles sometimes act as cleaners for larger animals, picking off parasites and dead scales. During reproduction, the male clears a nesting site, typically on dead coral, where the female deposits her eggs. The male then guards the eggs and fans them to ensure proper oxygenation until they hatch.