Reticulated Dascyllus

Dascyllus reticulatus

The reticulated dascyllus (Dascyllus reticulatus) is a small damselfish reaching about 9 cm found across the Indo-Pacific. It has a grey to brownish body with dark scale margins creating a net-like (reticulated) pattern, and a prominent dark blotch at the base of the pectoral fin. It is closely associated with branching corals, particularly Pocillopora and Acropora, where small groups shelter among the branches. It feeds on zooplankton above the coral, retreating into the branches when threatened. Like other damselfish, it is territorial and will defend its coral head aggressively. Juveniles may initially settle among anemone tentacles before moving to coral heads.