Related FAQs: Microspathodon, Damsel Identification, Damsel Selection, Damsel Compatibility, Damsel Feeding, Damsel Disease,  Damsel Reproduction,  Related Articles: The family Pomacentridae, the Damselfishes, Jumbo Damsels, Garibaldi,  /A Diversity of Aquatic Life A Genus of Jumbo Damselfishes,  Microspathodon
Bob Fenner	A Microsphathodon bairdi

Species of Interest to Aquarist's:

The oversized Damsels of the genus Microspathodon are for folks with very large systems containing rough-and-tumble livestock only...

Microspathodon bairdi (Gill 1862), the Bumphead Damselfish. Tropical eastern Pacific, Baja to Ecuador. To ten inches in length. This one in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico's Baja California.

Microspathodon chrysurus (Cuvier 1830), the Yellowtail Damselfish, Atlantic Jewel Damsel. Tropical west Atlantic. To six inches in length. Shown are a juvenile (about 1") with a clear caudal fin, an intermediate (2"), and adult (four inch) specimen in the Bahamas.

Verticals (Full/Cover Page Sizes Available)

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Microspathodon dorsalis (Gill 1862), the Giant (Mexican) Damselfish. Tropical eastern Pacific, Sea of Cortez to Ecuador. To ten inches in length. Here are juveniles (1", 3") and an adult female (9") in the Mar de Cortez.

Bigger PIX: The images in this table are linked to large (desktop size) copies. Click on "framed" images to go to the larger size.

 

Bibliography/Further Reading:

Allen, Gerald R. 1975. Damselfishes of the South Seas. TFH Publications, Neptune City, N.J.

Allen, Gerald R. 1991. Damselfishes of the World. Aquarium Systems, Mentor, Ohio.

American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, 1978. The Biology of the Damselfishes a symposium held during the 56th annual meeting of the ASIH. Rosentiel School of Mar. & Atm. Sci. U. of Miami, 1980, 145-328.

Axelrod, H.R. & Warren E. Burgess. 1981. Damselfishes and anemonefishes. TFH 9/81.

Burgess, Warren E. 1975. Salts from the seven seas (about Microspathodon chrysurus). TFH 10/75.

Emmens, C.W. 1984. Damselfishes. TFH 9/84.

Fenner, Bob. 1989. Successfully selling the popular marines. Pets Supplies Marketing 1/89.

Fenner, Bob & Cindi Camp, 1991. Damselfishes, saltwater bread and butter. FAMA 10/91.

Fenner, Robert. 1998. The Conscientious Marine Aquarist. Microcosm, VT. 432pp.

Fenner, Robert. 1999. The indomitable damsels- Family Pomacentridae. TFH 1/99.

Flood, A. Colin. 1992. Thos darling damsels. TFH 8/92.

Moe, Martin A. & Forrest A. Young. 1981. Spawning the jewels of the reef. FAMA 5/81.