Humbug Dascyllus

The Humbug Dascyllus (Dascyllus aruanus) is one of the most recognizable and widely known marine fish in the hobby, featuring a stark black-and-white banded pattern that is as striking as it is immediately identifiable. An incredibly hardy and inexpensive species, it has long been a classic choice for cycling new marine tanks due to its exceptional tolerance for fluctuating parameters during the nitrogen cycle establishment period. In the wild it forms small schools around branching corals, using the coral branches for shelter and protection. In the aquarium young fish tolerate each other reasonably well, but as they mature they become increasingly territorial — established adults will aggressively defend their chosen territory against intruders and other tank mates, making them a challenging long-term community member in smaller aquariums.

Provide at least 75 liters with abundant live rock and branching structure for territory establishment. Young fish may be kept in small groups; as adults, territorial aggression increases significantly. Best kept singly or as a mated pair in established reef systems. Feed twice daily with quality marine flake, frozen mysis, and small pellets. Hardy and forgiving of water parameter fluctuations — a suitable, low-cost first marine fish. Reef-safe with corals; may nip at very long-tentacled LPS corals.