| Domino damselfish or Dascyllus trimaculatus are | | | | referred to as anomiefish because of this inherent |
| classified to family Pomacentridae. This species is a | | | | mutualism. Sea anomies exude neurotoxins which can |
| native of the Indo-Pacific with an established | | | | be deadly to most other fish. Damselfish have a |
| presence stemming form the shorelines of southern | | | | natural immunity to these toxins which inevitably |
| Japan to Australia. | | | | leads to mutually beneficial coop between the two |
| These fish received their names from their distinctive | | | | species. Dominoes feed on the semi-digested matter |
| color pallets. They have black bodies just like a | | | | left floating around the anomie because of its dietary |
| domino. There are three large white spots their | | | | habits and remove harmful parasites from the |
| bodies, one on each side and one on their forehead. | | | | creature. There is the additional benefit of being able |
| They are also called threespot dascyllus and domino | | | | to seek shelter within the tentacles of a species |
| damsels. They commonly grow to as long as 5 inches | | | | even the most aggressive of predators will |
| in length and have a life expectancy of up to 10 | | | | instinctively steer clear of. In return for shelter and |
| years in captivity. These fish can swim in depths up | | | | provisions Dominoes excrete fecal matter which is a |
| to 200 feet. | | | | source of nutrition for the anomie. Dominoes also |
| This is one tough and highly adaptable little fish. They | | | | associate with diadema sea urchins and branching |
| can tolerate conditions that would kill a less hardy | | | | coral. |
| species. This capability of surviving adverse | | | | This is an omnivorous species. Part of their diet in the |
| environmental conditions has lead to them being a | | | | wild consists of ingesting various species of algae. It |
| popular biological stabilizer for aquarists who are | | | | is recommended that you provide them with an |
| cycling a new tank. If the damselfish lives it is ok to | | | | abundance of live rock to graze on. The live rock will |
| risk introducing more expensive and temperamental | | | | provide them with both the plant matter necessary |
| species to the new aquarium. | | | | for their nutritional requirements and make for |
| This is not a timid creature by any means. They have | | | | acceptable hiding place in the absence of their |
| a propensity to be downright tenacious for a fish of | | | | symbiotic partners. |
| their stature. The level of aggressiveness increases | | | | In addition to plant matter they can be fed brine |
| as they mature. Housing them with smaller and more | | | | shrimp, chopped fresh shrimp. mollusks, or squid. |
| docile species may prove problematic. They will also | | | | They will also eat marine flakes for omnivores. |
| exhibit territorial behavior toward members of their | | | | Like their relatives the clown fish, dominoes are |
| own species especially in smaller aquariums. Suitable | | | | sequential hermaphrodites. They are all born as males. |
| tank-mates include dwarf angelfish, puffers, and | | | | If you place two males in an aquarium together the |
| cardinalfish. | | | | larger more dominant fish will undergo a gender |
| A common trait among damselfish is their symbiotic | | | | change. This species has been known to breed in |
| relationship with sea anomies. They are commonly | | | | captivity. |