Rollands Damselfish (Chrysiptera rollandi)

If the Orange Line Damsel is the “aggressive rebel” of the family, Rollands Damselfish is the “sophisticated diplomat.” It is widely considered one of the best choices for a community reef because it lacks the intense, hyper-aggressive territorial drive of its cousins. It offers a subtle, high-contrast look that provides a beautiful “monochrome” break in a tank full of neon-colored fish.

Key Information

• Common Names: Rolland’s Damsel, Black-cap Damsel, Blue-headed Damsel

• Scientific Name: Chrysiptera rollandi

• Origin: Western Pacific (Philippines to the Great Barrier Reef)

• Max Size: 78 cm (approx. 3 inches)

• Lifespan: 58 years

• Temperament: Semi-aggressive (The “Peaceful” Damsel)

• Diet: Omnivore Easy to feed

• Care Level: Very Easy

Appearance & Identification

Rollands Damsel has a very “clean” and modern color palette:

• The “Black Cap”: The front portion of the head and upper back is a deep, velvety black-to-purple-grey.

• The Body: The rear two-thirds of the body is a crisp creamy white-to-pale yellow, creating a sharp, vertical contrast.

• The Glow: Under reef lighting, you will often see a faint neon-blue trim along the top of the black “cap” and around the eyes.

• The Tail: Features a translucent or white tail, which makes the fish look like its disappearing into the background as it swims.

Behaviour: The “Community-Friendly” Damsel

• Low Aggression: While most Chrysiptera species will chase anything that moves, Rolland’s usually stays near its favorite rock and only defends a small, 6-inch radius. It is much more “polite” to tank mates.

• The “Rock-Hugger”: It is not an open-water swimmer. It prefers to “dart” between crevices in the rockwork, picking at tiny bits of food and algae.

• Reef Safe: 100% Reef Safe. They are excellent for coral tanks because they are small and don’t produce a massive bioload.

• Social Structure: Can be kept singly or in small groups (35) if added simultaneously to a larger tank with plenty of hiding spots.

Ideal Tank Setup

• Tank Size: A minimum of 40L75L (1020 Gallons). Their small size and localized territory make them ideal for nano-reefs.

• Rockwork: Provide “Swiss cheese” style rockwork with lots of small tunnels. They love to have a “front door” and a “back door” to their territory.

• Feeding: Not picky. They will thrive on a mix of frozen mysis, brine shrimp, and high-quality pellets. They also help out with minor algae cleanup.

• Water Quality: Like all Damselfish, they are “bulletproof.” They can handle minor fluctuations and are very disease-resistant.

Why Choose the Rollands Damsel?

Rollands Damsel is for the hobbyist who wants the reliability and hardiness of a Damsel without the “bullying” baggage. It is a stylish, quiet addition that fills the lower and middle levels of the rockwork without causing stress to more delicate fish like Firefish or Pipefish.