Springer's Demoiselle (Chrysiptera springeri)

Springer's Demoiselle Chrysiptera springeri
Name	Springer's Demoiselle
Name Lat.	Chrysiptera springeri
Family	Damselfishes
Family lat.	Pomacentridae
Order	Ovalentarias
Order lat.	Ovalentaria inc. sed.
Origin	Western Pacific
Habitat	Lagoons, coral reefs
Diet	Omnivore
pH	8.1-8.4
Hardness	8-10 °KH
Behavior	Peaceful
Keeping	Individual, group
Reef Compatible	Yes
Care Level	Easy
Life Span	4-6 years
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	5 cm
Temperature	22-28 °C
Salinity	33-36 ‰
Aquarium	~ 250 l
US Units
Size	2"
Temperature	72-82 °F
Salinity	1.020-1.025 sg
Aquarium	~ 65 gal

Distribution and habitat

The distribution area of Chrysiptera springeri reaches from the Indonesian archipelago of the Moluccas and Flores to the Philippines. There they live among corals in protected lagoons and reefs in depths up to 30 m.

Maintenance

They need a well-structured aquarium with a reef structure that allows for territoriality and at the same time offers hiding, resting and covering possibilities, with living stones that act like a biological filter and sufficient swimming space. Only lime-rich, heavy metal-free substrates may be used as substrate

Filters, skimmers and heaters are necessary to ensure water quality, as well as pumps to simulate tides, swells and bottom currents. Lighting must match the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals

Salinity: 33-36 ‰	pH value: 8.1-8.4
Carbonate hardness: 8-10 °KH	Nitrate content: 2-8 mg/l
phosphate content: 0.01-0.1 mg/l	nitrite content: 0.0-0.05 mg/l

For salinity, an average value should be aimed for, which may only vary slightly by +/- 0.5 ‰. Ammonia and ammonium must not be measurable. Special attention must be paid to constantly good water quality.

Diet

They feed mainly on zooplankton, but also need plant food. The feed change usually succeeds without problems. The food supply should consist of a commercially available, vitamin-enriched, frozen special food mix for plankton eaters or a combination of algae (e.g. spirulina, kelp) with live and frozen food, such as small mysis, krill, bosmids, cyclops and artemia. In addition, high-quality dry food in flake or granular form with a high vegetable content can be offered, which is usually well accepted. It is recommended to feed small portions several times a day (3-5 times).

Regular and varied feeding promotes health and increases resistance.

Behaviour and compatibility

Chrysiptera springeri should only be kept singly or in a group of 4-5 animals. To avoid territorial fights, they should be introduced into the aquarium at the same time. Older animals often behave territorially within the species, therefore keeping a group is only recommended in a larger and richly structured tank. They can be quarrelsome with other fish, so they should only be kept together with robust fish.

Sex dimorphism

External sexual characteristics are not known.

Reproduction and breeding

There are no known reports of successful breeding in the aquarium.

Important

Their coloration and markings are very variable, from almost completely blue to black with blue spots. When threatened, they can quickly turn completely black.

It is recommended to keep these reef dwellers together with corals and not to keep them in a fish-only aquarium.

If different species are kept together, care should be taken to ensure that the fish match each other in terms of water quality and temperature requirements and social behavior, and that the setup meets the needs of all species kept together. Newly introduced fish must be acclimated slowly to the water in the aquarium.

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: Werner Winter; Image: Franz Lowak

Source: KUITER, DEBELIUS (2007): Atlas der Meeresfische: Die Fische an den Küsten der Weltmeere, Kosmos Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF