Tracey’s Damselfish (Chrysiptera traceyi)
Tracey’s Damselfish (Chrysiptera traceyi) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as Tracey’s Demoiselles are a rare species of damselfish found in the Marshall and Caroline Islands in the Western Pacific Ocean. Specimens have also been reported in the Phillipines and Mariana Islands, as well as Tonga.
Tracey’s Damselfish are a diurnal species found singly and in small groups close to the bottom below the effects of the ocean’s surges in the lagoons and the seaward reefs of their range, at depths from 5 to over 130 feet where they graze on algae and zooplankton.
Tracey’s Damselfish (Chrysiptera traceyi)
Tracey’s Damselfish are colored predominately purple and yellow. The purple color begins at the head of the fish and transitions into a warm pink and orange color at midships, into a bright canary yellow at the anterior portion; with translucent yellow pectoral, anal, soft dorsal, and caudal fins. A dark black splotch appears between the soft dorsal and rear of the dorsal fin. The scales have tiny vertical electric blue to black markings that stand out under reef lighting.
Tracey’s Damselfish are best housed in small groups of odd numbered fish in a FOWLR or reef aquarium of at least 30 gallon capacity, with a sandy or finely crushed coral substrate and plenty of live rock arranged into crevices, caves, and overhangs for them to hide among. Adult Chrysiptera traceyi tend to ignore other fish, invertebrates, and corals but may be territorial towards their own kind or similar sized fish. They are completely reef safe.
Although Tracey’s Damselfish have not been successfully bred in an aquarium environment, they are oviparous and demonstrate distinct pairing during breeding. After a brief courtship ritual, the female will deposit a mass of small adhesive eggs on the substrate. The male will immediately fertilize the eggs, stand guard, and aerate the demersal eggs until the larvae hatch out. The tiny fry in their larval stage drift with the current as plankton feeding on zooplankton and phytoplankton before settling to the bottom as partially developed damselfish.
In their natural habitat, Tracey’s Damselfish feed on algae and zooplankton. In an aquarium environment they are not picky about their food and will aggressively accept a variety of fresh, frozen, or freeze dried meaty foods such as frozen Mysis
Tracey’s Damselfish (Chrysiptera traceyi) are occasionally seen in the aquarium trade but are not a commonly stocked item. Tropical fish keeping enthusiasts can occasionally find them online from divers, wholesalers, trans shippers, and retailers, usually by special order at prices around $29.99 for small; 3/4″-1″specimens.
Tracey’s Damselfish (Chrysiptera traceyi)
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Aquarium Type: Reef or FOLR
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi Aggressive
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 74-78° F, dKH 8 to 12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max size: 1.75″
Color Form: Purple, Yellow
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Reef
Origin: Fiji, Marshall and Caroline Islands
Family: Pomacentridae
Lifespan: 5 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner
