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Banded humbug (Dascyllus aruanus) — Pomacentridae

Banded humbug

Dascyllus aruanus
Family: Pomacentridae
LC · Least Concern

The Banded humbug (Dascyllus aruanus) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacentridae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–20.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The whitetail dascyllus (Dascyllus aruanus) is a small, striking reef fish of the family Pomacentridae from the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The species has a tall, laterally compressed white body with three black vertical bands and a white tail, and reaches about 10 cm. It is territorial and inhabits shallow lagoons and reef flats, where groups stay above branching corals such as Acropora; when threatened they dive among the coral branches. The diet consists of zooplankton, bottom invertebrates and algae. Owing to its handsome pattern and robust nature the species is popular in marine aquaria.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Banded humbug?

The Banded humbug has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly white and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Banded humbug live?

The Banded humbug lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Banded humbug get?

The Banded humbug grows to a maximum of about 10 cm. On average the species is around 6 cm.

Is the Banded humbug dangerous to humans?

No, the Banded humbug is harmless to humans.

Is the Banded humbug edible?

The Banded humbug is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Witstaart-juffer sourced
English name
Banded humbug verified
Scientific name
Dascyllus aruanus
Family
Pomacentridae
Other names
Banded humbug; Black and white damselfish; Common humbug; Damselfish; Humbug verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.0 verified
Average length (cm)
6.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
White inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
20.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
6.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Dascyllus

More from the family Pomacentridae

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