Small, deep bodied damsel, almost round. Black and white colour with white tail. 8 cm. Usually found on the back reef. It feeds on plankton but also benthic invertebrates and algae. Found in small shoals, always close to branching corals, ready to dive amongst the branches for shelter. A very similar species, Dascyllus melanurus, is distinguished by the black tail. The same colour pattern is shown by Chrysiptera tricincta, identified by the less deep shape.