Chrysiptera cyanea CHRCYA-091093-CQUEST-001

This entry was posted on Friday, September 10th, 1993 and is filed under Damselfishes, Spawning Reports.

The Breeder’s Registry® Information contained in this report is taken from submitted observations from aquarist unless noted otherwise (see comments). Information may be reproduced providing the Breeder’s Registry is cited.  


Breeder ID: CHRCYA-091093-CQUEST-001

Date received: 9/10/93

Identification: Chrysiptera cyanea (Quoy & Gaimard 1825)

Geographic origin: Indo-pacific


Taxonomy: (after I.C.Z.N.)

Kingdom Animalia

Phylum Chordata Subphylum Vertebrata

Class Osteichthyes

Order Perciformes Superorder Teleostei

Family Pomacentridae

Genus Chrysiptera

Species cyanea (Quoy & Gaimard 1825)


Description: Blue body, darker stripe extending from tip of premaxilla through eye; secondary stripes above first may be present on male, although much fainter. Posterior caudal margin in male is orange, pigmentation lacking in females. Male typically larger. Up to 80 mm. 


Duration male(yr): 2.0

Size male (mm): 51

Duration female (yr): 2.0

Size female (mm): 51

Physical differences: Male slightly larger, orange tail fin. Females tail fin lacks orange coloration.

Adult diet: Fresh seafood, five (5) times daily.

Pre-spawning activity: Male attracts female .

Time spawning began: pre-dawn

Area spawning occurred: eggs laid on tile.

Frequency of spawning: 4 days

Egg description: Demersal egg mass. ~ 51 mm x 76 mm

Approximate quantity: 2000 – 5000

Size: small

Egg changes / development: Eggs become darker as hatching approaches

Incubation period: 4 days

Time hatching occurred: dusk and after

Size of hatching larvae: small

Yolk sac present? No

Newly hatched appearance: Quite small. Long and more or less colorless.

Transfer / removal method: Tile whish eggs were laid on removed to rearing tank prior to hatching.


Spawning tank size (liter): 75

Sides of tank covered? Yes, black

Lighting & photoperiod: Natural

Filtration: Diatomaceous earth filter, Ultraviolet, sand filter, skimmer

Additives and dosages: none, natural seawater collected 100 yards from beach (open system)

Water temperature (F): 70 -90

Specific gravity: 1.024

pH: 8.1

Nitrate: 0 – 0.2 ppm


Fry development / changes: Attracted to light. Larvae have a distinctive black spot on tail and turn blue at metamorphosis (20 days under good conditions). Very delicate first 10 days.

First food offered: ciliates with greenwater. Feeding was continual.

Second food offered: rotifers with greenwater

Survival 1- 4 weeks(%): 1%

Development description: Very difficult to rear because of first food requirements. Have only been able to rear small numbers.


Rearing tank size (liter): 1140

Sides of tank covered? Yes, black

Lighting & photoperiod: natural

Filtration: fluid bed and skimmer

Additives and dosages: none, water source as above

Water temperature (F):70-90 F

Specific gravity: 1.024

pH: 8.1

Nitrate: 0 – 0.2 ppm


Comments: Fish spawned only when moved to sunlight..

Originally described as Glyphisodon cyaneus, by Quoy & Gaimard, in 1825, Voyage Uranie,
Zool: 392, Pl. 64 (fig. 3), from a specimen(s) collected at Timor. Valid as Chrysiptera cyanea
by Allen

Word origin: The genus Chrysiptera is from the Greek roots chrys, -o, =us, meaning gold; and pter, -o, =um, meaning a wing, a feather or a fin. The species is from the Greek word cyan, –e, -i, -i, meaning blue .Thus Gold fin and blue which aptly describes the fish.

About this report: Information contained in this report is taken from submitted observations. Taxonomy, Synonomy, Original description , Word origin and Suggested reading are provided by member(s) of The Breeder’s Registry staff. Information is presented under the belief that it is accurate. If you have information in addition to, or contrary to that presented you are encouraged to contact the Breeder’s Registry. Permission is granted for “one-time” personal use. Reproduction as distributed or accessible media is prohibited without prior written permission. All rights reserved. 1993

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