Three spot dascyllus

Scientific name : Dascyllus trimaculatus

Deep bodied damsel, almost round. Dark grey colour. The younger specimens are black with a white spot on nape and one on each side. In adults the background colour becomes lighter, and the white spots fade. 14 cm. Usually found in shoals, close to coral formations, along the reef front and external reef or in lagoon. It feeds on Plankton but also benthic invertebrates and algae. Very easy to identify until the white spots can be seen. Then the round shape distinguish it from other dark damsels (for example Acanthochromis polyacanthus, Chromis ternatensis).

Associated organisms
Juveniles are often associated with branching corals (Acropora spp.) or with sea anemones, of different species (Entacmaea quadricolor, Heteractis aurora, Heteractis crispa, Heteractis magnifica, Macrodactyla doreensis, Stichodactyla gigantea, Stichodactyla haddoni, Stichodactyla mertensii). Often it shares the same host with the anemone fishes, without any fights. Anyway, the adult does not lay eggs close to the anemone (as the anemone fish always does).

Three spot dascyllus Author FRANCESCO RICCIARDI Place: Philippines, Moalboal Id: 4