Chappell Loudermilk and Caroline Currie

Taxonomy Domain: Eukariota Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Osteichthyes Order: Perciformes Family: Pomacentridae Genus: Dascyllus (Humbug) Species: aruanus (Humbug)

Facts Most common of reef fishes in tropical seas 320 Species 268 – Indo West Pacific Regions 39- peninsular Malaysia and Singapore Rarely grow to more than 6 inches Found to be associated with Sea Anemones

Yellowtail Damselfish Chrysiptera parasema Central and Western Pacific Withstand poor water conditions Disease resistant Inexpensive Among least aggressive Provided with plenty of hiding spaces and in groups of 4 or 5 to reduce aggression Blue with a yellowtail fading at the end

Similar Damselfish Pomacentrus similis Inhabits shallow reefs Sri Lanka & the Andaman Sea 3 inches in length

Humbug Dascyllus Dascyllus Aruanus Found in shallow water in lagoons and bays Found in coastal waters from northern New South Wales to northern parts of Western Australia Use coral for shelter 8cm 3 black bands on body

Damselfish Aggression Strongly territorial and solitary Presents problems when inhabiting spaces with other fish primarily ones from their own species Aggression typically increases when sharing environments with others This is displayed when damsels nip, approach, threaten, submit, or flee from one another

Approach

Attack

Nip

Flee

Hypothesis If Damselfish behavior changes due to the surroundings in its environment (adding or subtracting live rock, the addition of dividers, etc.), then regularly altering the conditions of the tank will result in an increase of aggression.

Schedule Time of day Number of people in room Altering the environment -moved live rock around -reduced area in tank by adding chicken wire Added more fish

Questions 1. What time of day are Damselfish most aggressive? 2. How does aggression of the Damselfish differ between tanks? 3. Does removing live rock increase the Damselfish aggression? 4. Which fish appeared to be more aggressive over time? 5. Does the amount of area in the tank affect Damselfish aggression?

What made the fish most aggressive? Reducing the space in tank Adding more fish Feeding time

Conclusion Our Hypothesis was correct. We found through regularly altering the environment of the tank the Damselfish became more aggressive.

Future Suggestions Being able to add different species of fish Being able to add different types of corals

Bibliography “Damselfish.” Encyclopedia Britannica Online. ‌ EBchecked/ ‌ topic/ ‌ / ‌ damselfish (accessed October 1, 2009). “Fish Guide: Damelfish.” Animal Planet. ‌ guides/ ‌ fish/ ‌ marine/ ‌ damselintro.html (accessed September 10, 2008). Huber, Michael E. Marine Biology. 4th Edition ed. New York, NY: The Mcgraw-Hill Companies, Nybakken, James W. Marine Biology An Ecological Approach. 3rd Edition ed. New York, NY: Harper Collins Publishers, Sullivan et. al., Kathleen M., Dr. Marine Biolog, University of Miami: n.p., 1986.