Smiths Damselfish - Medium

The Pink Smith Damselfish, also known as Smith's Damselfish, has a silver white body with pink accents around the edges. The Smith's Damselfish is a good beginner Damselfish that can be kept in small groups if added at the same time.

There are over 250 different species of Damselfish. They are also known as demoiselles and come in a variety of colours and varieties.

All Damselfish species are related to Clownfish and follow the clownfish breeding pattern. Perfect water parameters and a large, non-predatory aquarium system are required for successful breeding.

When breeding in captivity, keep in mind that Brittle stars, Serpent stars, Wrasses, and Crabs will eat Damselfish eggs. The eggs and larvae are much smaller than Clownfish eggs and larvae and are more difficult to rear.

With over 250 species, their appearance varies greatly from one to the next. They share some characteristics in general because they are members of the same family. They are usually a deep bodied with forked tails. They have two anal spines and a single nostril on each side.

The most noticeable feature of most Damselfish is their bright colour. Some of them have strikingly different patterns. Their colours range from red to orange to yellow to blue, with many shades in between. Surprisingly, some of them can lose their colour and turn brown as they grow.

They are members of the Pomacentridae family, which also includes Clownfish. Damselfish can be found in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. Almost all of their species live along reeds, with some inhabiting sea anemone tentacles.

Tank Recommendations for Smiths Damselfish

These Damselfish are hardy and simple to keep in a well-kept tank. The minimum tank size is 20 gallons (76 litres). Frequent water changes are required in such a small tanks. Regular biweekly water changes will also aid in the replacement of trace elements depleted by the fish and corals. Water change guidelines for various types and sizes of aquariums are as follows:

Water health entails providing proper filtration to ensure optimal water quality, which aids in the maintenance of health.

The addition of a protein skimmer can help to maintain high dissolved oxygen levels and good water quality.

To stabilize water temperature, an aquatic heater should be used, ensuring that it does not fluctuate more than +/-2 degrees in a 24-hour period.

To keep them with other fish, a larger tank will be required. Housing them in tanks larger than 40 gallons (152 litres) will give them plenty of space to roam, and they should not bother the other peaceful fish you want to add.

If you want to keep other peaceful Damsels, such as less aggressive Clownfish, add one fish per 15 gallons (57 litres) of water. If you intend to keep larger fish, such as large Surgeonfish or Tangs, the tank should be large enough to accommodate the larger fish's needs.

As with most smaller fish, ensure to have plenty of live rock to use as a shelter and it will also provide a secondary food source for your fish to graze on.

Suitable Tank Buddies

These are among the less aggressive Damselfish, with a temperament similar to that of a less aggressive Clownfish. When kept alone or as a mated pair, the minimum tank size is 20 gallons (76 litres).

When a spawning pair is present, the male will viciously guard his eggs, necessitating the use of a separate tank if he begins attacking tank mates. Larger tanks of at least 60 gallons (227 litres) should make this situation less volatile.

They will get along with peaceful, passive fish in these larger tanks, but you should give the peaceful tank mates time to settle in.

Except for more aggressive Damselfish or Clownfish like the Clarkii Clownfish (Amphiprion Clarkii), they do not appear to be bothered by most other peaceful and semi-aggressive fish.

Only add peaceful Damselfish, and if you must add a Clownfish, try the more peaceful Percula Clownfish (Amphiprion Percula), Ocellaris Clownfish (Amphiprion Ocellaris), or Pink Skunk Clownfish (Amphiprion Perideraion).

Tanks larger than 60 gallons (227 litres)should allow both to coexist peacefully, as long as their territories are at least two feet (60cm) apart.

Usually Compatible

Smiths Damselfish will thrive in an aquarium with a few less aggressive species such as Angelfish (dwarf), Anthias, Basslets/Pseudochromis, Blennies, Boxfish, Clownfish, Crustaceans, and Dragonettes. Goatfish, Gobies, Hawkfish, Parrotfish, Hogfish Wrasses and Pufferfish are usually all fine.

Sometime Compatible

In the absence of large fish, such as adult Angelfish or Surgeonfish, they will thrive. The presence of larger fish will not necessarily doom the Damselfish, but it will make them work harder to obtain enough food.

It will also most likely discourage natural shoaling, with the Damselfish preferring to stay closer to the rockwork. Be cautious if housing them with Anglerfish/Frogfish as if the Damselfish will fit in their mouths they'll make a meal of them. Batfish, Butterflyfish, Cardinalfish, other Damselfish, Fancy Damselfish, Filefish, Grunts, Rays, Squirrelfish, and Triggerfish are all commonly mixed with them, but keep an eye out for any trouble.

Rarely Compatible

Predatory fish and predatory invertebrates, such as Ophiarachna species, should be avoided when choosing tankmates because Damselfish can be tempting prey. Corals and mobile invertebrates are unaffected by Damselfish.

Sharks, Scorpionfish, and Groupers, Eels, and Lionfish aren't compatible as they will all happily eat your Damselfish.

Feeding your Smiths Damselfish

Provide meaty foods such as mysis shrimp, vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, cyclops, finely shredded frozen seafood, and omnivore preparations. These foods can be given in a variety of forms, including freeze-dried, frozen, sinking pellets, flake, and fresh. You can also provide flakes and other herbivore preparations. Colour-enhancing foods can help keep their vibrant colour.

Small amounts of food should be fed several times per day. Feeding them more frequently helps to dissipate any potential aggression within a tank, as food is the most important reason for them to protect their little patch of the reef or tank.

These fish feed near the bottom of the tank, so sinking pellets are ideal. If you are feeding pellets, make sure they are wet before adding them to the tank so that air does not enter their digestive tract and cause problems.