Headband Humbug

About

The headband humbug (Dascyllus reticulatus) is a compact, reef-associated damselfish found across a broad stretch of the Indo-Pacific, from the Cocos-Keeling Islands in the eastern Indian Ocean all the way to Samoa and the Line Islands, ranging north to southern Japan and south to the Rowley Shoals. In the wild it gravitates toward branching coral heads, particularly Pocillopora, on outer lagoon and seaward reefs, where groups will hover closely above the coral and dart back inside at any hint of trouble. Its coloration is understated compared to some damsels: a pale grayish body with a reticulated or net-like scale pattern and the bold dark bands that give the fish its humbug name. Like most damsels, it has a personality that punches well above its weight. It forms schools in nature, but individuals can become territorial in the confines of an aquarium, so tank mates need to be chosen thoughtfully. Breeding behavior is well-documented. Males clean off a patch of rock or coral to serve as a nest site before spawning with a female. That kind of interactive behavior makes it interesting to observe, and its hardiness makes it a reasonable choice for a hobbyist with some reef experience who has a suitably sized system and a plan for managing its attitude.