Chrysiptera cyanea CHRCYA-100194-SHOTOD-002

This entry was posted on Saturday, October 1st, 1994 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-100194-SHOTOD-002

Date received: 10/1/94

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): 60

Duration female (yr): 2.0

Size female (mm): 70

Physical differences: Female is larger but color is less vivid than males

Adult diet: Flake food daily

Pre-spawning activity: Male digs burrow (under clam shell). Males color becomes very dark with bright blue splotches. Female becomes more robust prior to spawning.

Time spawning began: evening

Area spawning occurred: In “burrow” under clam shell

Frequency of spawning: 3 – 4 weeks

Egg description: Egg mass. ~ 40- 50 mm diameter

Approximate quantity: 300 +

Size: 1 – 2 mm

Egg changes / development: not indicated

Incubation period: unknown, no attempt made to rear


Spawning tank size (liter): 200

Sides of tank covered? No

Lighting & photoperiod: 1- 40 watt Vibran-Sea® fluorescent (12 – 14 hours)

Filtration: Wet / dry, reverse flow undergravel filter.

Additives and dosages: none,Instant Ocean ® ASW changed 10 – 25% monthly.

Water temperature (F): 75 – 80

Specific gravity: 1.022

pH: 8.2

Nitrate: 10 -25 ppm


Comments: Pair perished during winter power outage. New pair acquired but have not spawned.

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. 1999

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