On the reef, Chrysiptera starcki feeds as an omnivore, taking plankton along with algae, planktonic crustaceans such as copepods, mysids, and shrimp larvae, and fish eggs drifting near the substrate. That mixed intake should be mirrored in captivity with both meaty and vegetable-based offerings. Enriched brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and finely chopped seafood cover the protein side, while marine algae and Spirulina-based preparations supply the plant matter that keeps color and condition strong. Quality flakes and pellets are accepted readily and work well as a daily staple.

This species is notably unfussy at the dish and generally takes frozen, flake, and pellet foods from the start, with no particular acclimation difficulty reported. Several small feedings spread through the day match its natural grazing and plankton-picking rhythm better than one large meal, and smaller portions reduce waste in reef systems. Rotating between meaty and algae-based items across the week is the simplest way to keep the diet balanced.

Expect an active, territorial fish that spends the day working a chosen section of rockwork and returning to a preferred crevice when startled. In the wild these damsels occur singly or in small groups and form distinct pairs to spawn, with eggs adhering to the substrate and the male guarding and aerating the nest. Juveniles are comparatively restrained, but adults commonly defend their patch against conspecifics, other damselfishes, and similarly shaped or colored fish. In an ordinary community aquarium, a single specimen is the safer plan; keeping more than one calls for a substantially larger, heavily rock-filled system, with roughly 50 gallons or more suggested for a small group.

Choose tankmates that can hold their own without escalating conflict. Peaceful, retiring species such as gobies, cardinalfishes, blennies, and firefish may be harassed by an established adult, and stocking numerous small timid fish alongside this damsel is asking for trouble. Toward corals it is reliable and reef compatible, with no reported interest in sessile invertebrates. Some caution is reasonable with small mobile invertebrates, since reports vary and small benthic crustaceans may be picked at; risk to small fish is territorial pressure rather than predation.