Bicolor Damselfish

The Bicolor Damselfish is a distinctively patterned Caribbean species that features a sharply divided two-tone coloration: the front half of the body is a deep charcoal black while the rear half is a clean white, creating a striking and instantly recognizable appearance. This neat demarcation line runs roughly through the midsection, giving the fish its common name. Adults reach about 4 inches and are among the most commonly encountered damselfish on Caribbean reefs.

In the wild, Stegastes partitus is found throughout the Caribbean basin, from Florida and the Bahamas southward through the Greater and Lesser Antilles. It inhabits shallow coral reefs, typically at depths of 3 to 40 feet, where it establishes small territories on reef rubble and coral heads. The Bicolor Damselfish is a classic territorial herbivore that cultivates algae gardens within its defended area, aggressively chasing away any fish or invertebrate that attempts to graze on its crop. This farming behavior is a fascinating ecological strategy shared by several Stegastes species.

In the aquarium, the Bicolor Damselfish is extremely hardy and easy to keep alive, tolerating a wide range of conditions. However, its territorial nature must be taken into account when planning a community tank. While not as aggressively combative as some of the larger Stegastes species, it will defend its chosen area with determination and may harass smaller or timid tankmates. Provide ample rockwork with multiple hiding spots and territories, and house with moderately assertive species. The species is reef-safe in terms of coral safety, though it may nip at algae growing on rocks. Its unique color pattern and interesting territorial behavior make it an appealing species for aquarists interested in Caribbean reef fish.