[2][1][3] Species of the genus Dascyllus are found in the Indo-West Pacific, and are primarily planktivorous.

[6][4] The species of the D. aruanus complex are the most basal in the genus Dascyllus.

[4] The species of the D. trimaculatus complex are the largest in size, growing up to 90–110 mm (SL).

All Dascyllus species are demersal spawners, and in all species, the female lays her eggs in nests prepared by a male, and the eggs are tended by the male until hatching.

[4] Currently, 11 recognized species are placed in this genus: (Forsskål, 1775)[9] T. N. Gill, 1862 (Linnaeus, 1758) J. E. Randall & H. A. Randall, 2001[10] J. G. Fischer, 1885 H. A. Randall & G. R. Allen, 1977[1] (Rüppell, 1829) Bleeker, 1854 (J. Richardon, 1846) Klausewitz, 1960[11] (Rüppell, 1829) Deb, a character in the animated film Finding Nemo, is a damselfish of genus Dascyllus.