Honey head damsel (Dischistodus prosopotaenia) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Honey-head damsel, Honey-breast damsel
Family
Pomacentridae (damselfishes)
Origin
Eastern Indian Ocean and western Pacific; lagoons and reefs.
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
17 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.023–1.026
Minimum tank
200 litres
Care level
beginner
Temperament
semi_aggressive
Reef safe
yes

Care

Tank: a fish-only or robust reef aquarium with rockwork. Tank: an estimated minimum of about 200 litres (our estimate from the adult size and habits, not a figure from the sources), given its adult size. Water: the sources give no species-specific figures, so the values here are general marine aquarium guidance, not species-specific: 24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4 and specific gravity 1.023–1.026. Keep conditions stable with good filtration and regular water changes. Behaviour: little is recorded in the species article; expect a larger damsel to claim and defend a territory. Identification: up to 17 cm. Trade: IUCN: Least Concern. Not CITES-listed. Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dischistodusprosopotaenia). Checked October 2026.

Diet

An omnivorous damsel. Offer frozen mysis and brine shrimp, flake, pellets and algae-based food.

Breeding

The species article gives no breeding details. As with other damsels, eggs are laid on a hard surface and guarded by the male.

Compatibility and tank mates

Reef safe per the list. A large damsel: keep with robust tankmates of similar size.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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