Home · Pomacentridae · Black tail humbug
Black tail humbug (Dascyllus melanurus) — Pomacentridae

Black tail humbug

Dascyllus melanurus
Family: Pomacentridae
LC · Least Concern

The Black tail humbug (Dascyllus melanurus) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacentridae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–68.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The blacktail humbug is a small damselfish (Pomacentridae) from the western Pacific. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a white body with three black crossbars and a black tail, to which the name refers. It is a schooling species whose adults inhabit sheltered lagoons, harbours and inlets, often near small coral heads or Acropora coral, into which they dart when threatened. It feeds on various plankton. The male guards the eggs laid on the substrate. The species is popular in the aquarium hobby and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Black tail humbug?

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

Where does the Black tail humbug live?

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

How big does the Black tail humbug get?

The Black tail humbug grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Black tail humbug dangerous to humans?

No, the Black tail humbug is harmless to humans.

Is the Black tail humbug edible?

The Black tail humbug is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwartstaart-juffertje sourced
English name
Black tail humbug verified
Scientific name
Dascyllus melanurus
Family
Pomacentridae
Other names
Black-tail dascyllus; Blacktail humbug verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.0 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 fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

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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