Tag Archive | "tropical fish keeping"

Pair of Red Honey Damselfish (Neoglyphidodon crossi)

Red Honey Damselfish (Neoglyphidodon crossi)

Pair of Red Honey Damselfish (Neoglyphidodon crossi)

Pair of Red Honey Damselfish (Neoglyphidodon crossi)

Red Honey Damselfish (Neoglyphidodon crossi) known to tropical fish keeping enthusists as Cross’ Damselfish, Orange Honey Damselfish, Cross’s Damsel, Red Honey Damsel, and Red Chromis is found in the Western Central Pacific Ocean around Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Sulawesi, and the Moluccas.

Red Honey Damselfish are a shy, solitary, non migratory, reef associated species that are normally found alone or in pairs around relatively shallow coral reefs at depths from 3 to less than 50 feet.

Adult Red Honey Damselfish are frequently found swimming near the surface in the shallow gutters of rocky areas and around the coral reefs in protected bays and lagoons.

Red Honey Damselfish (Neoglyphidodon crossi)

Juvenile Red Honey Damselfish have an orange to red orange body color with a black bottom and a horizontal blue line that extends from the snout, just over the eye, to the caudal pentacle.   The pelvic and anal fins are the same reddish orange color as the body.

As they grow into adulthood, the orange body color becomes more grayish and the vivid blue line becomes less distinct.

Adult Red Honey Damselfish (Neoglyphidodon crossi)

Adult Red Honey Damselfish (Neoglyphidodon crossi)

Mature adults lose their bright colors and have an overall brown body color.

Red Honey Damselfish can be housed in a mature reef or FOWLR tank of at least 55 gallon capacity with a sandy or finely crushed coral substrate and plenty of live rock arranged into crevices, caves, and overhangs for them to hide among.   Although Neoglyphidodon crossi are considered semi aggressive, they are totally reef safe and will not harm corals or invertebrates.

When housed in small tanks, the Red Honey Damselfish will become aggressive to other damsels and clownfish.   In larger tanks, small odd numbered groups can be kept together without incident, however, they can often be aggressive towards new fish additions.

Red Honey Damselfish have been bred in an aquarium environment but the fry are difficult to rear.

During the breeding season in their natural habitat, Red Honey Damselfish pair off and after a brief courtship ritual, the female will lay a mass of small adhesive eggs on the substrate.  After fertilizing the demersal eggs, the male will guard and aerate the eggs until the larvae hatch out. The tiny fry in their larval stage will drift with the current as plankton feeding on zooplankton and phytoplankton before settling to the bottom as partially developed damselfish.

Red Honey Damselfish are not picky about their food and will aggressively eat a varied diet of meaty and green foods.   Live, frozen, or freeze dried Mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, finely chopped clams, fresh fish, Spirulina, herbivore flakes, etc. will be eagerly accepted. Feeding several times a day is recommended.

Red Honey Damselfish (Neoglyphidodon crossi) are occasionally seen in the aquarium trade but are not a commonly stocked item. Tropical fish keeping enthusiasts can occasionally find them online from wholesalers, trans shippers, and retailers or back order them at prices varying from $14.99 to over $19.99 at the following approximate purchase sizes: Up to .75″, Small: Over .75-1″, Small to Medium: Over 1-1.5″, Medium: Over 1.5-2″, Medium to Large: Over 2-2.5″, Large: Over 2.5-3″, Extra Large: Over 3-3.5″, Extra Extra Large: Over 3.5″.

Red Honey Damselfish (Neoglyphidodon crossi)

Red Honey Damselfish (Neoglyphidodon crossi)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons
Aquarium Type: Reef or FOLR
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi Aggressive
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 74-82° F, dKH 8 to 12, pH 7.9-8.5, sg 1.020-1.027
Max size: 3.9″
Color Form: Orange, Red, White, Blue
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Reef
Origin: Western Pacific Ocean, Sulawesi and the Moluccas
Family: Pomacentridae
Lifespan: over 5 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner

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Threespot Damselfish (Stegastes planifrons)

Threespot Damselfish (Stegastes planifrons)

Threespot Damselfish (Stegastes planifrons)

Threespot Damselfish (Stegastes planifrons)

Threespot Damselfish (Stegastes planifrons) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as Honey Gregory Damselfish are found in the Western Atlantic with a range that extends to Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, and adjacent waters.

Threespot Damselfish are a demersal species that are found on both inshore and offshore reefs at depths from 1 to over 130 feet, where during daylight hours, they can be seen foraging mainly on algae.  At night they are usually found at those depths sleeping in caves, crevices, holes, ledges, and among the tangled branches of staghorn corals.

Threespot Damselfish are an aggressive, non migratory, reef associated midwater species that occasionally make their way into the aquarium trade.

Adult Threespot Damselfish are usually encountered as solitary individuals or in pairs near the top of the outer edges of coral reefs in very shallow waters among abundant growths of algae.

Like Pink Smith Damselfish (Pomacentrus smithi)  and other damselfishes species in the Caribbean and around the world; Threespot Damselfish are primarily herbivores that cultivate gardens of algae for food and areas for the females to deposit their eggs.  In order to encourage growth of their preferred algae species, the fish meticulously tend to their gardens by removing small invertebrates and unwanted species of algae from their “plots”. Adults vigorously guard large territories and will aggressively chase intruders, including divers, out of their gardens.   To have the greatest chance of success in courting a female, males spend a lot of time keeping their gardens at the highest quality.

Like several other species of damselfish; juvenile Threespot Damselfish often set up cleaning stations where they act like cleaner wrasses and feed on the external parasites of other fish species.

Threespot Damselfish (Stegastes planifrons)

Adult Threespot Damselfish (Stegastes planifrons)

Adult Threespot Damselfish have a brownish gray body color with a dusky yellowish hue, several dark vertical lines following rows of scales, and a large black spot at the base of the dusky pectoral fins.

Juvenile Stegastes planifrons have a bright yellow body color with a few tiny blue spots on the head, upper

Threespot Damselfish (Stegastes planifrons)

Threespot Damselfish (Stegastes planifrons)

body, and one on the upper iris. They have three distinctive black spots that identify them; one located at the base of the dorsal fin, one dorsally on the caudal peduncle, and a smaller black spot at the upper base of the pectoral fin. The spots are often rimmed a faint blue color and in very young juveniles, the pectoral spot is absent.

The Threespot Damselfish can easily be confused with the Cocoa Damselfish (Stegastes variabilis) with yellow anal, caudal, and pectoral fins; and the Longfin Damselfish (Stegastes diencaeus) with an anal fin with a blue margin.

Threespot Damselfish or Honey Gregory Damselfish are a large, aggressive, species that should be housed alone in a reef or FOWLR aquarium of at lest 55 gallon capacity with a sandy or fine crushed coral substrate and plenty of mature live rock arranged into caves, crevices, and overhangs for hiding among. Regardless of age or size, Threespot Damselfish will quickly become the dominant species in the tank and although they are extremely aggressive, they are still considered reef safe. In larger aquariums, they can be housed with other semi aggressive to aggressive species so long as plenty of free swimming area and mature live rock is provided.

Threespot Damselfish have reportedly been bred in an aquarium environment.   Adults display distinct pairing during breeding and form breeding pairs that vigorously maintain large territories.   Males work to maintain high quality gardens to have the best chance at success in courting a female.

When a receptive female decides to spawn in the male’s territory and deposits her adhesive eggs on the fronds of algae growing in his garden, the male will immediately fertilize the demersal eggs and guard the nest while constantly oxygenating the eggs with his fins until they hatch out.   Both parents will usually aggressively defend the eggs from wrasses, parrotfish, and other predators.   Once hatched out, the tiny fry in their larval stage will drift with the current as plankton feeding on zooplankton and phytoplankton for up to 20 days before settling to the bottom as partially developed damselfish. The fry are born male or female and will remain that way for the rest of their lives.

Threespot Damselfish feed primarily on algae that they propagate as well as harpacticoid copepods, small gastropods, eggs of mollusks, sponges, polychaetes, marine worms, sponges, and hydroids.   In an aquarium environment, they should be fed a variety of herbivore preparations, occasional meaty items, and flaked foods. High quality omnivore flakes and pellets, along with fresh, frozen, or freeze dried algae, Mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, krill, plankton, chopped shrimp, scallops, clam, etc. will all be eagerly consumed. Feeding small portions 2 to 3 times a day is recommended.

Threespot Damselfish (Stegastes planifrons) are only occasionally available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts online from a variety of wholesale and retail sites at prices from $19.99 to $29.99 at a purchase size of: 1.5″ – 2.25″.

Threespot Damselfish (Stegastes planifrons)

Threespot Damselfish (Stegastes planifrons)

 

 

 

 

 

Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons
Aquarium Type: Reef or FOLR
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi Aggressive
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 72-78°F, dKH 8 to 12, pH 8.0 – 8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 5″
Color Form: Gray, Black, Yellow
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Reef Safe
Origin: Caribbean, Bahamas, Florida, Bermuda, Gulf of Mexico
Family: Pomacentridae
Lifespan: 5 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner

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Lemon Damselfish (Pomacentrus moluccensis)

Lemon Damselfish (Pomacentrus moluccensis)

Lemon Damselfish (Pomacentrus moluccensis)

Lemon Damselfish (Pomacentrus moluccensis)

Lemon Damselfish (Pomacentrus moluccensis) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as Golden Damselfish, Molucca Damsel, and Molucca Demoiselle are native to tropical Western Pacific waters with a range that extends from about 32°N to 32°S, and 92°E to 173°W.

Adult Lemon Damselfish are found alone, in pairs, but more often in small groups in coral rich areas of the sheltered reefs and clear water lagoons of their range, among branching Acropora robusta and Lace coral heads where they feed on among the substrate, at depths between 3 to over 46 feet.

Like Ternate Damselfish (amblyglyphidodon ternatensis); Pomacentrus moluccensis are a non-migratory, reef dependent species that forage on microalgae and small planktonic invertebrates above the coral heads during the daylight hours, and shelter among the coral branches at night to protect themselves from predators.    They are so coral dependent that following periods of coral bleaching, Lemon Damselfish numbers have been shown to decline dramatically.

Lemon Damselfish (Pomacentrus moluccensis)

Lemon Damselfish (Pomacentrus moluccensis)

Except for fish from the Philippines; Lemon Damselfish have a bright yellow body color with a small orange spot at the base of the rather short pectoral fin.  They have a shallow forked caudal fin with rounded lobes.  Some individuals may display blue lines across the head and fins.  The orange spot at the base of the pectoral fin is absent in specimens collected from the Philippines.  The bright yellow body color slightly diminishes as Lemon Damselfish mature into adulthood.

Odd numbered groups of six or more Lemon Damselfish can be housed in a mature FOWLR or reef aquarium of at least 30 gallon capacity with a sand or fine gravel substrate and plenty of live rock arranged into crevices, caves, and overhangs for them to hide among. Lemon Damselfish are completely reef safe and will not disturb corals or invertebrates in a reef tank.  Although solitary juvenile individuals can occasionally become territorial towards their own kind or similar sized fish, they will generally ignore other invertebrates, corals, and other fish in a peaceful species tank.

Larger tanks with plenty of live rock are recommended for keeping larger schools of Pomacentrus moluccensis with other peaceful to semi aggressive fish species. Although juveniles are generally peaceful to semi aggressive, they can become more territorial as they grow into adults, especially when sufficient hiding places are not available for them.

Lemon Damselfish have been successfully bred in captivity commercially for tropical fish keeping enthusiasts.  During the breeding season in their natural habitat, the fish pair off and after a brief courtship ritual, the female will lay a mass of small adhesive eggs on the substrate, often a cleaned piece of Pocillopora damicornis.   After fertilizing the demersl eggs, the male guards and aerates the eggs until the larvae hatch out.  The tiny fry in their larval stage will drift with the current as plankton feeding on zooplankton and phytoplankton before settling to the bottom as partially developed damselfish. During the spawning season, males will often mate with multiple females.

Lemon Damselfish are frequently preyed on by Cephalopholis boenak and Pseudochromis fuscus; especially during the breeding season. This is why they shelter and prefer breeding among high shelter environments such as Pocillopora damicornis, which they are more able to evade and survive in, than low shelter ones like Acropora nobilis.

Lemon Damselfish are omnivores that require a varied diet of meaty items, herbivore flakes or pellets, and frozen foods to thrive.  Live, frozen, or freeze dried brine shrimp, Mysis shrimp, finely chopped clams, fresh fish, and Spirulina flakes will all be eagerly accepted. Feeding a varied diet several times a day is recommended.

Although Lemon Damselfish (Pomacentrus moluccensis) are not a common item in the the aquarium trade; tropical fish keeping enthusiasts can occasionally find them online from wholesalers, trans shippers, and retailers at prices varying from $12.99 to $19.99 at an approximate purchase size of: 3/4″ to 1-1/2″

Lemon Damselfish (Pomacentrus moluccensis)

Lemon Damselfish (Pomacentrus moluccensis)

 

 

 

 

 

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Aquarium Type: Reef or FOLR
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi Aggressive
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 72-78°F, dKH 8 to 12 , pH 8.1 – 8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max size: 2¾”
Color Form: Yellow
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Reef With Caution
Origin: Western Pacific Ocean
Family: Pomacentridae
Lifespan: 5 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner

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Bluefin Damselfish (Neoglyphidodon melas)

Bluefin Damselfish (Neoglyphidodon melas)

Bluefin Damselfish (Neoglyphidodon melas)

Bluefin Damselfish (Neoglyphidodon melas)

Bluefin Damselfish (Neoglyphidodon melas) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Black Damselfish, Bowtie Damselfish, Yellow-back Damsel, and Royal Damsel is found among coral reefs and lagoons throughout the Indo West Pacific.

In the Indian Ocean; Bluefin Damselfish are widely distributed around eastern Africa, the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, Madagascar, the Seychelles, the Arabian Sea, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, the Andaman Sea, Indonesia, and western Australia.

In the Pacific Ocean they are found in many areas around Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Papua New Guinea, Palau, the Philippines, the Solomon Islands Taiwan, Vanuatu, and Vietnam.

Bluefin Damselfish are usually found swimming individually or in pairs at depths from 3 to over 120 feet among soft corals on which they feed in the coral reefs and lagoons of their range.   The more solitary adult and young adult Neoglyphidodon melas are frequently found swimming among Tridacna clams where they have been observed feeding on their feces.   Feces consumption is believed to increase with age and size.

Bluefin Damselfish (Neoglyphidodon melas)

Bluefin Damselfish (Neoglyphidodon melas)

The more colorful younger juveniles are usually encountered in small groups or as lone individuals around Acropora corals where they feed solely on plankton.   Older juvenile Bluefin Damselfish include soft corals in their planktonic diet, which is why they are not particularly considered reef safe.

Juvenile Bluefin Damselfish are much more attractive than adults.  They have a mostly pale blue gray body color

Adult Bluefin Damselfish (Neoglyphidodon melas)

Adult Bluefin Damselfish (Neoglyphidodon melas)

with a bright yellow upper back and dorsal area.  The pelvic and anal fins are blue with black interior rays, and the rear portion of the dorsal fin and the caudal fin are translucent.   As the fish mature into adulthood, their body turns a uniformly bluish black color.

Bluefin Damselfish are best housed in a mature FOWLR semi aggressive species tank or in a single species tank of at least 55 gallon capacity, with a sand or finely crushed coral substrate and plenty of live rock arranged into hiding places for them to hide among and lots of swimming area.

Smaller juveniles are semi aggressive but as they mature into adulthood, they become increasingly aggressive to smaller individuals and other peaceful fish in the tank.  Adults’ should be kept alone or with other large aggressive species.

Large Bluefin Damselfish will attack fish much larger than themselves.   Because they feed on soft corals, pose a threat to shrimp and other invertebrates, and harass Tridacna clams; they are not recommended for reef aquariums.

Bluefin Damselfish have been commercially bred for the aquarium trade.   They pair up for breeding and follow a benthic egg laying cycle. The male cleans an area on the substrate for the female to lay her adhesive, demersal eggs and after a brief courtship ritual, the female will deposit her eggs on the substrate.   The male then fertilizes the eggs and will guard and aerate them until the larvae hatch out.  The fry in their larval stage will drift with the current as plankton feeding on zooplankton and phytoplankton before settling to the bottom as partially developed damselfish.

As juveniles, Bluefin Damselfish feed on small crustaceans, microalgae, and zooplankton.   As adults, their diet changes to soft corals and Tridacna clam feces.

In an aquarium environment they will accept most foods and should be fed a varied diet of meaty items along with some vegetable matter. Live, frozen, or freeze dried brine shrimp, Mysis shrimp, chopped clams, fresh fish, and Spirulina flakes will all be eagerly accepted. Feeding a varied diet several times a day is recommended.

Bluefin Damselfish (Neoglyphidodon melas) are occasionally available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as juveniles and occasionally adults.  Many fish shops can special order them or they can be purchased online from wholesalers, trans shippers, and retailers at prices varying from $12.99 to the $20.00 range at the following approximate purchase sizes: Small: 3/4″ to 1-1/4″; Medium: 1-1/4″ to 2″.

Bluefin Damselfish (Neoglyphidodon melas)

Bluefin Damselfish (Neoglyphidodon melas)

 

 

 

 

Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Aggressive
Color Form: Black, Blue, Yellow
Diet:Omnivore
Origin: Indo-Pacific, Red Sea, Vanuatu
Reef Compatible: No
Water Conditions: sg 1.020-1.025, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 7.1″
Family: Pomacentridae
Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons
Lifespan: 2-3 years

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Pink Smith Damselfish (Pomacentrus smithi)

Pink Smith Damselfish (Pomacentrus smithi)

Pink Smith Damselfish School (Pomacentrus smithi)

Pink Smith Damselfish School (Pomacentrus smithi)

Pink Smith Damselfish (Pomacentrus smithi) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as Smith’s Damselfish is a Western Central Pacific species found in the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, New Hebrides and the Andaman Sea.

Pomacentrus smithi are a relatively peaceful, non migratory, reef associated midwater species that occasionally make their way into the aquarium trade.

Adult Pink Smith Damselfish are most frequently found on live Acropora coral patches in silty areas of inshore reefs and lagoons of their range where they occur singly, but more often in small to large groups feeding on microalgae and zooplankton above the coral heads at depths between 6 to 45 feet.   Juveniles are found in these same areas in tighter groups around the same depths.   Some Pink Smith Damselfish species farm patches of algae that they fiercely defend against poachers.   With great dedication they industriously tend to their “crops” and eat only enough to allow continual algae growth.

Pink Smith Damselfish (Pomacentrus smithi)

Pink Smith Damselfish (Pomacentrus smithi)

The Pink Smith Damselfish has a shimmering silvery white body color with pink highlights and some yellow at the top of the head and dorsal fin.   Individuals from the Solomon Islands have a pinkish orange body color that blends into a purple head with electric blue scribbles above the nose.   They have a small black dot on the gill cover behind the eye.   Several other variants are known to exist.

Pink Smith Damselfish (Pomacentrus smithi)

Pink Smith Damselfish (Pomacentrus smithi) Solomon Is.

Pink Smith Damselfish are best housed in odd groups of at least 9 or more individuals in a reef or FOWLR aquarium of at least 30 gallon capacity with a sand or crushed coralline substrate and plenty of mature live rock arranged into crevices, caves, and overhangs for them to hide among, and plenty of free swimming space.

They like moderate to strong water circulation in the tank and like most other damsels, Pomacentrus smithi are completely reef safe.  Some solitary individuals and pairs become territorial when spawning but will generally ignore other fish in a peaceful species FOWLR tank.   They will not disturb corals, invertebrates, or other peaceful fish in a reef setup.

Pomacentrus smithi have been bred in an aquarium environment but rearing the larvae is difficult.   In their natural habitat, Pink Smith Damselfish pair off and spawn in small groups.   Typically a dominant male will claim a small section of the reef where he has cleaned off a rock, shell, or piece of coral on the substrate for the female to deposit her small adhesive eggs.  A brief courtship ritual to entice one or multiple females to mate normally results with the female laying a mass of eggs on the prepared nest.   The male then fertilizes the demersal eggs and will fiercely guard and aerate them until the larvae hatch out.

The tiny fry in their larval stage will drift with the current as plankton for 1 to 2 months feeding on zooplankton and phytoplankton before settling to the bottom as a developed damselfish.   Males will often mate with multiple females in the group during the spawning season.

Pink Smith Damselfish are omnivores that need a varied diet of meaty items and vegetable matter including; herbivore flakes or pellets, live, frozen, or freeze dried brine shrimp, Mysis shrimp, finely chopped clams, fresh fish, dried seaweed, and Spirulina flakes. Feeding a varied diet several times a day is recommended for most marine species.

Pink Smith Damselfish (Pomacentrus smithi) are occasionally available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts from specialty brick and mortar fish shops but more often online from wholesalers, trans-shippers, and retailers at prices varying from $4.99 to $12.00 at approximate purchase sizes: 1-1/2″ to 2-1/2″

Pink Smith Damselfish (Pomacentrus smithi)

Pink Smith Damselfish (Pomacentrus smithi)

 

 

 

 

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Aquarium Type: Reef or FOLR
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi Aggressive
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 72-78°F, dKH 8 to 12 , pH 8.1 – 8.3, sg 1.020-1.0254
Max. Size: 2¾”
Color Form: White, Pink, Yellow
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Reef
Origin: Western Central Pacific, Solomon Is.
Family: Pomacentridae
Lifespan: 5 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner

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Ternate Damselfish (amblyglyphidodon ternatensis)

Ternate Damselfish (Amblyglyphidodon ternatensis)

Ternate Damselfish (amblyglyphidodon ternatensis)

Ternate Damselfish (amblyglyphidodon ternatensis)

Ternate Damselfish (Amblyglyphidodon ternatensis) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Lemon Chromis are only found in the Coral triangle region of the Western Pacific from Indonesia to Solomon Islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands (Nansei Islands); and Belau in Micronesia.

Adult Ternate Damselfish are found alone, in pairs, but more often in small groups in the coral rich areas of sheltered coastal reefs among branching Acropora type staghorn coral heads at depts between 3 to over 50 feet where they feed on among the substrate. They are especially abundant around the rock islands in Palau, where they aggregate with Amblyglyphidodon curacao.

Like Azure Damselfish (Chrysiptera hemicyanea); Amblyglyphidodon ternatensis are a non-migratory, reef dependent species that feed on small crustaceans, microalgae, and zooplankton among the substrate during daylight hours, and shelter among the coral branches during the night for protection from predators.

One or two dominant males will usually claim and defend a single branching Staghorn coral with a harem of juveniles and females, and in return for the shelter provided by the coral, remove unwanted algal growth.   Dead Acropora coral branches normally serve as a nest for breeding activity.

Ternate Damselfish (amblyglyphidodon ternatensis)

Ternate Damselfish (amblyglyphidodon ternatensis)

Adult Ternate Damselfish have a silverish white body color below that turns into a light yellow with a greenish blue hue towards the upper portion.  Their pelvic, dorsal, and anal fins are yellow to a faint, almost translucent yellow.  The rear dorsal, anal, and caudal fins are mostly translucent.

Some individuals have a small dark splotch on the upper surface of the caudal base.  Except for the green hue that offsets the transparent coloration of its fins and tail, the Ternate Damselfish is very similar looking to Yellow Damselfish (Amblyglyphidodon aureus). The yellow pelvic fins on adults distinguish Amblyglyphidodon ternatensis from similar members of the genus. Juvenile Ternate Damselfish and Amblyglyphidodon batunai are very difficult to distinguish from each other.

Odd numbered groups of Ternate Damselfish of at least 9 or more individuals can be housed in a mature FOWLR or reef aquarium of at least 30 gallon capacity with a sand or fine gravel substrate and plenty of live rock arranged into crevices, caves, and overhangs for them to hide among. Ternate Damselfish are completely reef safe and will not disturb corals or invertebrates in a reef tank.   Although solitary juvenile individuals will occasionally become territorial towards their own kind or similar sized fish, they will generally ignore other invertebrates, corals, and other fish in a peaceful species tank.

Larger tanks with plenty of live rock are required for keeping large schools of Ternate Damselfish with other peaceful to semi aggressive fish species.    Juveniles are generally passive to semi aggressive but can become more territorial as they grow into adults, especially when sufficient hiding places are not available in the tank.

Although Amblyglyphidodon ternatensis have been successfully bred in captivity, their larvae are difficult to rear. Ternate Damselfish follow a benthic egg laying cycle and are well known for laying their eggs on dead coral skeletons or parts from Acropora corals.   In their natural habitat, they pair off and spawn in groups.   Each pair will claim a small section of the reef where the male cleans off a branch of dead coral for the female to lay her small adhesive eggs.

In the event that an alternate material for spawning isn’t available, a dedicated pair will often remove portions of a live Acropora to make a nest.   After a brief courtship ritual, the female will lay a mass of eggs on the coral branch. The male then fertilizes the demersal eggs and will guard and aerate them until the larvae hatch out.   The tiny fry in their larval stage will drift with the current as plankton feeding on zooplankton and phytoplankton before settling to the bottom as partially developed damselfish. Males will often mate with multiple females in the group during the spawning season.

Ternate Damselfish are omnivores that need a varied diet of meaty items, herbivore flakes or pellets, and frozen foods to thrive.   Live, frozen, or freeze dried brine shrimp, Mysis shrimp, finely chopped clams, fresh fish, and Spirulina flakes will all be eagerly accepted.  Feeding a varied diet several times a day is recommended to minimize aggression and preserve body coloration.

Although Ternate Damselfish (Amblyglyphidodon ternatensis) are rarely seen in the the aquarium trade; tropical fish keeping enthusiasts can occasionally find them online from wholesalers, trans shippers, and retailers at prices varying from $4.99 to $11.99 at approximate purchase sizes: Small: 3/4″ to 1-1/4″; Medium: 1-1/4″ to 2″.

Ternate Damselfish (amblyglyphidodon ternatensis)

Ternate Damselfish (amblyglyphidodon ternatensis)

 

 

 

 

 

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Aquarium Type: Reef or FOLR
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi Aggressive
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 72-87°F, dKH 8 to 12 , pH 8.1 – 8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 3″
Color Form: Green, Silver, Yellow
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Reef
Origin:
Family: Pomacentridae
Lifespan: 5 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner

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Regal Damselfish (Neopomacentrus cyanomos)

Regal Damselfish (Neopomacentrus cyanomos)

Regal Damselfish (Neopomacentrus cyanomos)

Regal Damselfish (Neopomacentrus cyanomos)

The Regal Damselfish (Neopomacentrus cyanomos) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Regal Demoiselle, Cresecent Damselfish, Violet Damselfish, Yellow-tailed Damselfish, and Regal Damsel is found in the Indo-West Pacific and ranges from Red Sea and East Africa to the Philippines, north to southern Japan, south to northern Australia and Melanesia.

The Regal Demoiselle is only found in a few areas of their range, so they are definitely not common, however, when they are found there tend to be abundant numbers of them.  In Tanzanian waters, they are found in only a few locations, but in these spots their shoals are huge.

Although not native to the Atlantic, Regal Damselfish like Lionfish are regarded as an invasive species.

In 2013, Regal Damselfish were sighted on nearshore coral reefs in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico near Coatzacoalcos, Mexico and in 2014 and 2015, individuals were observed on reefs near Veracruz City, and at Madagascar Reef off the northwestern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula.   More recently in 2017, Regal Damselfish were found in the northern Gulf of Mexico offshore of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi.   In 2022, they were spotted off of West Palm Beach and in the Keys, and in July of 2019, they were recorded from various locations on the western side of Trinidad, where they were believed to hitch hike on oil platforms that were transported from the Indo-Pacific. In February 2021, several individuals were observed at multiple locations in the reefs off the southern coast of Aruba.

Adult Neopomacentrus cyanomos inhabit inshore and offshore coral reefs, harbors, protected outer reef slopes, and other current prone habitats where they can be found close to shelter feeding on zooplankton and off the substrate.   Although usually found in loose shoals close to shelter at depths from 9 to 100 feet.   Adult Regal Damselfish are often found in harbors in large, loosely formed shoals in depths from near surface to about 82 feet.    Juveniles are found in these same areas in tight shoals around the same depths.

Regal Damselfish (Neopomacentrus cyanomos)

Regal Damselfish (Neopomacentrus cyanomos)

The Regal Demoiselle is a deceptively colored fish. When a shoal is seen on the reef, they appear to be a blackish grey color but under light, they are actually very colorful, especially in an aquarium environment.

The overall body color of the Regal Damselfish is a gunmetal gray color.   The upper body and head has a greenish tint.   The lower body   has a grayish tint and the scales on the body have a blue mark on them.   There is a black or yellow spot just behind the gill plate and a black spot on the base of the pectoral fins.  The rear base of the dorsal fin is distinguished by a yellow or white spot, and the dorsal, anal, and lyre shaped caudal fins are lined a bright or pale yellow.   The spines on the pectoral fins are yellow, and light blue on the pelvic fins.

Similar to the Brown Chromis native to Atlantic waters, the native fish have dark margins on the tail and a dark spot at the base of the pectoral fin.

The Regal Damselfish is a hardy, relatively peaceful species that is easy to keep in an aquarium environment.   They are best housed in groups of at least 6 to 9 or more individuals in a mature reef or FOWLR tank of at least 55 gallon capacity, with a sand or fine gravel substrate and plenty of live rock arranged into hiding places and plenty of free swimming space.   Like most damsels, juvenile Regal Damselfish tend to become territorial as they become adults and may beat up more peaceful species.   They are best housed in a FOWLR tank with semi-aggressive species.

Regal Damselfish have been successfully bred in an aquarium.

Before spawning, the males change the colors on their dorsal to attract a mate.   Prior to mating pairing occurs and the male cleans a patch of rubble or shell on the hard substrate for the eggs to be laid.   After a brief “dance” the female deposits her adhesive demersal eggs on the substrate.   After the male fertilizes the small elliptical eggs attached by adhesive filaments to the substrate, he guards and aerates the clutch until they hatch out in about 4 to 5 days.   The tiny fry in their larval stage will drift with the current as plankton feeding on zooplankton and phytoplankton for 17 to 20 days before settling to the bottom as partially developed damselfish.   Males will often mate with multiple females during the spawning season.

Regal Damselfish feed on zooplankton and small crustaceans off the substrate in their natural habitat.    In an aquarium environment they will accept high quality omnivore flakes and pellets but should also be given fresh, frozen, or freeze dried algae, Mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, krill, plankton, chopped shrimp, scallops, clam, etc.    Feeding small portions 2 to 3 times a day is recommended.

Regal Damselfish (Neopomacentrus cyanomos) are occasionally available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts online from a variety of wholesale and retail sites at prices from $15.00 to $25.00 at a purchase size: 1 – 1.25″.

Regal Damselfish (Neopomacentrus cyanomos)

Regal Damselfish (Neopomacentrus cyanomos)

 

 

 

 

 

Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons
Aquarium Type: Reef or FOLR
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi Aggressive
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 72-78°F, dKH 8 to 12, pH 8.0 – 8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 2.75″
Color Form: Gray, Black, Yellow
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Reef
Origin: Indo-West Pacific, Gulf of Mexice, Atlantic
Family: Pomacentridae
Lifespan: 5 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner

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Talbot's Damselfish (Chrysiptera talboti)

Talbot’s Damselfish (Chrysiptera talboti)

Talbot's Damselfish (Chrysiptera talboti)

Talbot’s Damselfish (Chrysiptera talboti)

Talbot’s Damselfish (Chrysiptera talboti) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as Talbot’s demoiselle or Peach Damsel are distributed throughout the Indian and Western Pacific Oceans and range from the Andaman Sea in the Indian Ocean to Fiji, north to Palau, south to the Great Barrier Reef, and recently recorded from Tonga.

Adult Talbot’s Damselfish are usually found as solitary individuals among mixed corals and patches of coral rubble in coral rich areas of deep lagoons and seaward reef slopes at depths from 6 to 110 feet where they feed on zooplankton just above the bottom.   Juveniles are often found in small groups among coral heads and rubble in shallower water.

Like Rolland’s Damselfish (Chrysiptera rollandi), Talbot’s Damselfish are a peaceful, non-migratory, reef dependent species that feed on small planktonic crustaceans (copepods, mysis, and shrimp larvae), fish eggs, and algae among the substrate and corals during daylight hours, and shelter among the coral branches during the night for protection from predators.

Talbot's Damselfish (Chrysiptera talboti)

Talbot’s Damselfish (Chrysiptera talboti)

Talbot’s Damselfish have a distinct look that is hard to confuse with any other damselfish species.   They have a fleshy pink body with a beautiful canary yellow face, forehead, and ventral fins, and a large black eye spot (ocellaris) centered at the rear of its dorsal fin. Although the body color is commonly a pale mauve, fleshy pink, or black (in Fiji); it is variable and dependent on the area of collection.   The body colors can range from pink or pinkish purple, to gray or darker, accented with yellow pelvic fins but they retain the yellow face and large black spot on the middle of the dorsal fin.

Talbot’s Damselfish are best housed in a mature FOWLR or reef aquarium of at least 30 gallon capacity with a sand or fine gravel substrate and plenty of live rock arranged into crevices, caves, and overhangs for them to hide hide from more aggressive tank mates. Talbot’s Damselfish are completely reef safe and will not disturb corals or invertebrates in a reef tank.   Although solitary individuals will occasionally become territorial towards their own kind or similar sized fish, they will generally hide and ignore other fish in a peaceful species tank.

Due to their generally peaceful, almost docile nature, small size, and hardiness; Talbot’s Damselfish are highly recommended for beginning tropical fish keeping enthusiasts.

Although Talbot’s Damselfish have been bred in captivity, the larvae are difficult to rear. Mated pairs follow a benthic egg laying cycle. After first clearing a site on the substrate ready for a nest, the pair will engage in a brief courtship “dance” with rapid swimming and fin movements. During this time the males often turn a shade or two darker and may display white blotches.

Spawning normally occurs at dawn. After the female deposits her demersal. adhesive, eggs and the male fertilizes them; he fiercely guards and aerates them until they hatch out. The tiny fry in their larval stage will drift with the current as plankton feeding on zooplankton and phytoplankton before settling to the bottom as partially developed damselfish. Males will occasionally mate with multiple females during the spawning season.

In their natural habitat Talbot’s Damselfish are omnivores that are typically found just off the bottom foraging on zooplankton and algae among corals and rock rubble.

In an aquarium environment they need a diet rich in greens and meaty foods. They will accept flakes and pellets containing Spirulina and should be offered live, frozen, and freeze dried brine shrimp, finely chopped mysis, squid, fresh fish, clam, shrimp, and plant material several times daily.

Talbot’s Damselfish (Chrysiptera talboti) are occasionally available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts in specialty fish shops and online from wholesalers, trans shippers, and retailers at reasonable prices at approximate purchase sizes: 3/4″ to 1-1/4″

Talbot's Damselfish (Chrysiptera talboti)

Talbot’s Damselfish (Chrysiptera talboti)

 

 

 

 

 

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Aquarium Type: Reef or FOLR
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi Aggressive
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 72-82°F, dKH 8 to 12 , pH 8.0 – 8.5, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 2.5″
Color Form: Black, Pink, Yellow
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Reef
Origin: Indo-Pacific, Coral Sea, Indian Ocean, Fiji
Family: Pomacentridae
Lifespan: 3-5 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner

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Rolland’s Damselfish (Chrysiptera rollandi)

Rolland’s Damselfish (Chrysiptera rollandi)

Rolland’s Damselfish (Chrysiptera rollandi)

Rolland’s Damselfish (Chrysiptera rollandi)

Rolland’s Damselfish (Chrysiptera rollandi) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Black Cap Damselfish, or Rolland’s Demoiselle are distributed throughout the Indian and Western Pacific Oceans and range from the Andaman Sea, north to the Philippines, and south to the Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia. Specimens have also been recorded from Tonga

Rolland’s Damselfish are found singly and in small schools among Acropora type corals and coral rubble in harbors, lagoons, and the outer reef slopes at depths from 6 to 120 feet where they feed mainly on zooplankton.

Like Similar Damselfish (Pomacentrus similis), Chrysiptera rollandi are a peaceful, non-migratory, reef dependent species that feed on small crustaceans, microalgae, and zooplankton among the substrate and corals during daylight hours, and shelter among the coral branches during the night for protection from predators.   One or two males will usually defend a single branching SPS coral head with a harem of juveniles and females, and in return for the shelter provided by the coral, remove unwanted algal growth. Although they are extremely protective of their territories (coral heads), they do not aggressively extend their existing territories.

Rolland’s Damselfish (Chrysiptera rollandi)

Rolland’s Damselfish (Chrysiptera rollandi)

Rolland’s Damselfish have a light gray to white body and are a darker blue gray towards the head and the front portion of the dorsal area. The pectoral, anal, caudal, and rear portion of the dorsal fins are a white to translucent.   Mature adults have two bright iridescent blue stripes above the eyes.

At least two color variants of Rolland’s Damselfish exist.  One variant has yellow extending above the eye to the first

Rolland’s Damselfish Variant (Chrysiptera rollandi)

Rolland’s Damselfish Variant (Chrysiptera rollandi)

few dorsal fin rays, followed by a bluish black band that fades to white, and another variant with a bluish black band that takes up the front half of the body, followed by white with vibrant blue spotting and streaks on the head.

Rolland’s Damselfish (Chrysiptera rollandi)

Rolland’s Damselfish (Chrysiptera rollandi)

Recent DNA analysis suggesting that Rolland’s Damselfish can be geographically separated into at least three distinct diurnal species; individuals from the Andaman Sea, individuals from the Indo Australian archipelago, and individuals from the southern Coral Sea and New Caledonia could be responsible for the color variants.

Because Black Cap Damselfish are less aggressive than other damsels, they do not require as large of an aquarium.

A small odd numbered group of Black Cap Damselfish is best housed in a mature FOWLR or reef aquarium of at least 30 gallon capacity with a sand or fine gravel substrate and plenty of live rock arranged into crevices, caves, and overhangs for them to hide among. Rolland’s Damselfish are completely reef safe and will not disturb corals or invertebrates in a reef tank.   Although solitary individuals will occasionally become territorial towards their own kind or similar sized fish, they will generally ignore other fish in a peaceful species tank.

Small, odd numbered groups of juvenile Rolland’s Damselfish can be safely housed in a FOWLR tank with other semi aggressive species without any problems provided plenty of hiding places are available.   Although they will become more territorial as they mature, it usually presents no problems in a large tank with plenty of live rock arranged into hiding places.

Individual Chrysiptera rollandi housed in a FOWLR tank can deteriorate quickly and die when they become stressed in the aquarium however, in small shoals, they can flourish for years.

Although Rolland’s Damselfish have been bred in captivity, the larvae are difficult to rear.  Mated pairs follow a benthic egg laying cycle. After a brief courtship “dance”, the female lays her small adhesive eggs on a rock or shell on the substrate. After the male fertilizes the demersal eggs, he guards and aerates them until they hatch. The tiny fry in their larval stage will drift with the current as plankton feeding on zooplankton and phytoplankton before settling to the bottom as partially developed damselfish. Males often mate with multiple females in the harem during the spawning season.

In their natural habitat Rolland’s Damselfish are omnivores that are typically found foraging on zooplankton and algae among large heads of Acropora sp,.   In an aquarium environment they are not picky eaters and will accept flakes, pellets, and almost all meaty and herbivorous preparations. Small portions of Brine Shrimp, Spirulina Flakes, Frozen Foods, Mysis, Zooplankton, and finely chopped seafoods should be fed several times a day to minimize aggression in the tank.

Rolland’s Damselfish (Chrysiptera rollandi) are normally available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts in specialty fish shops and online from wholesalers, trans shippers, and retailers at prices varying from $4.99 to $19.99 at approximate purchase sizes: 3/4″ to 1-1/4″

Rolland’s Damselfish (Chrysiptera rollandi)

Rolland’s Damselfish (Chrysiptera rollandi)

 

 

 

 

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Aquarium Type: Reef or FOLR
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi Aggressive
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 72-78°F, dKH 8 to 12 , pH 8.1 – 8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 3″
Color Form: Black, White, Yellow
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Reef
Origin: Indo Pacific, Sri Lanka, Indonesia
Family: Pomacentridae
Lifespan: 3-5 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner

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Similar Damselfish (Pomacentrus similis)

Similar Damselfish (Pomacentrus similis)

Similar Damselfish (Pomacentrus similis)

Similar Damselfish (Pomacentrus similis)

Similar Damselfish (Pomacentrus similis) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as Similis Damselfish or Similar Damsel is a species of “neon” damselfish indigenous to Sri Lanka, the Andaman Sea, the Cocos and Christmas Islands, Bali, and Java in the Indian Ocean.

Adult Similar Damselfish are found alone, in pairs, but more often in medium to large schools over Acropora type coral heads and rocky reefs at depts between 6 to over 50 feet where they feed among the substrate.

Like Azure Damselfish (Chrysiptera hemicyanea), Pomacentrus similis are a non-migratory, reef dependent species that feed on small crustaceans, microalgae, and zooplankton among the substrate during daylight hours, and shelter among the coral branches during the night for protection from predators. One or two dominant males will usually defend a single branching SPS coral head with a harem of juveniles and females, and in return for the shelter provided by the coral, remove unwanted algal growth.

Similar Damselfish are occasionally found living in a symbiotic relationship with various species of anemones.

Similar Damselfish (Pomacentrus similis)

Similar Damselfish (Pomacentrus similis)

Similar Damselfish have a dark neon blue colored body, dorsal, and ventral fins, and a bright yellow tail that ends at the base of the caudal fin.  Many tropical fish keeping enthusiasts commonly misidentify Similar Damselfish as Yellowtail Blue Damsel fish (Chrysiptera parasema) however, unlike Yellowtail Damsels; the yellow coloring of Similar Damselfish does not extend onto the body, but ends abruptly at the base of the tail. Both species have a black horizontal line across the eye. Compared to Pomacentrus alleni, Similar Damselfish have a proportionally taller body.

Similar Damselfish are less aggressive than other damsels and do not require as large of an aquarium. They are happiest in a small, odd numbered shoal where they can chase each other to establish a pecking order of sorts.

A small odd numbered group of Similar Damselfish can be housed in a mature FOWLR or reef aquarium of at least 30 gallon capacity with a sand or fine gravel substrate and plenty of live rock arranged into crevices, caves, and overhangs for them to hide among.   Similar Damselfish are completely reef safe and will not disturb corals or invertebrates in a reef tank.   Although solitary individuals will occasionally become territorial towards their own kind or similar sized fish, they generally ignore other fish in a peaceful species tank.

Larger tanks with plenty of live rock are required for keeping large shoals of Similar Damselfish with other peaceful to semi aggressive fish species.   Juveniles are generally passive to semi aggressive but can become more territorial as they grow into adults, especially when sufficient hiding places are not available in the tank.

Although Similar Damselfish have been successfully bred in captivity, their larvae are difficult to rear. Mated pairs follow a benthic egg laying cycle.   After a brief courtship “dance”, the female lays her small adhesive eggs on a rock or shell on the substrate. After the male fertilizes the demersal eggs, he guards and aerates them until they hatch.  The tiny fry in their larval stage will drift with the current as plankton feeding on zooplankton and phytoplankton before settling to the bottom as partially developed damselfish.  Males will often mate with multiple females in the harem during the spawning season.

Similar Damselfish are omnivores that in their natural habitat feed on zooplankton and algae.  In an aquarium environment they are ravenous eaters that will accept most meaty and herbivorous preparations. Small portions of Brine Shrimp, Spirulina Flakes, Frozen Foods, Mysis, Zooplankton, and finely chopped seafoods should be fed several times a day to minimize aggression in the tank.

Similar Damselfish (Pomacentrus similis) are available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts in specialty fish stores and from online wholesalers, trans shippers, and retailers at prices varying from $4.99 to $11.99 at approximate purchase sizes: Small 1/2″ to 1″, Medium 1″ to 2″, Large 2″ to 3″.

 

Similar Damselfish (Pomacentrus similis)

Similar Damselfish (Pomacentrus similis)

 

 

 

 

 

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Aquarium Type: Reef or FOLR
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi Aggressive
Aquarium Hardiness: Very Hardy
Water Conditions: 74-80°F, dKH 8 to 12 , pH 8.1 – 8.3, sg 1.023-1.025
Max. Size: 2.8″
Color Form: Blue, Yellow
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Reef
Origin: Indo Pacific, Sri Lanka, Indonesia
Family: Pomacentridae
Lifespan: 3-5 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner

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Pomacentrus similis

Neon Damselfish (Pomacentrus Alleni)

 

Neon Damselfish (Pomacentrus Alleni)

Neon Damselfish (Pomacentrus Alleni)

The Neon Damselfish (Pomacentrus Alleni) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as Allen’s Damselfish, Allen’s Pomacentrus, Blue Star Damsel, Alleni Damsel, Electric Blue Damsel, Yellow Belly Damsel, and Andaman Damselfish is found in the Pacific Ocean in Australia, Indonesia, the Phillippines, Japan, Taiwan, the Similan Islands off of Thailand, and Vietnam.

In the Pacific Islands they are found around Hawaii and in the Indian Ocean they are found in the Andaman Sea, Australia, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka.

Although there are about a half dozen species recognized by tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as Neon Damselfish; Pomacentrus Alleni

Pomacentrus similis

Pomacentrus similis

is a distinctive species reported primarily from the Andaman Sea.    It is often mistakenly identified as Pomacentrus similis.

Pomacentrus coelestis, P. similis, P. auriventris, P. cf caeruleus, P. caeurleus, P. micronesicus, and some unrecognized species are all referred to as Neon Damselfish.

Juvenile Pomacentrus Alleni are usually found swimming in large schools over soft corals in the reefs and lagoons of their range at depths between 6 to 70 feet, where they feed on zooplankton, and benthic algae.   Adult Pomacentrus Alleni prefer schooling in large and small schools over other areas of the reef, not necessarily soft corals.

Several species of “Neon Damselfish” are frequently encountered away from pristine coral reefs in favor of turbid habitats rich in open, rocky terrain and in their preferred niche, they are an ecologically dominant species that frequently form vast shoals numbering into the  thousands.

Neon Damselfish (Pomacentrus Alleni)

Neon Damselfish (Pomacentrus Alleni)

Neon Damselfish (Pomacentrus Alleni) have a striking electric blue to blue/green body color that blends into the yellow anal fin at the belly of the fish, with black on the lower caudal lobe, and a partially black dorsal fin.   Although there are no obvious external differences between sexes, males are somewhat brighter in color to females during breeding.

The Neon Damselfish is best housed in groups of at least 5 individuals in either a reef or FOLR aquarium of at least 55 gallon capacity, with a sand or finely crushed gravel substrate and plenty of mature live rock arranged into crevices, caves, and overhangs for them to shelter among.   Pomacentrus Alleni have a penchent for digging into the sand but will not disturb corals or invertebrates in a reef tank.  They show their colors best in strong lighting as is found in a reef environment.

Alleni Damselfish are one of the more peaceful damselfish species that do well in FOLR tanks in groups of 7 or more individuals with peaceful, non aggressive tankmates.   In large groups, they “flash” their brilliant colors as they compete with each other for dominance. They are very shy and docile, and will lose their electric blue color and turn a pale brownish color when afraid or threatened by aggressive tankmates.

In large tanks with plenty of live rockwork hiding spaces and swimming area, larger odd numbered shoals of 9 plus juvenile Neon Damselfish will peacefully coexist with other similar species or similarly sized species.   Small groups are known to suffer fatalities.

Avoid keeping Neon Damselfish with any really docile species such as firefish and cardinalfish; and never house them with more aggressive species.

Alleni Damselfish have not been successfully bred in an aquarium environment.

Neon Damselfish form distinct pairs when breeding.   After a short mating “dance” the tiny adhesive eggs, numbering up to 1000 or more, are deposited in a cave or on the substrate by the female.   After the male fertilizes the eggs, he will guard and aerate the eggs until they hatch out, in about 3 or 4 days.  In their natural habitat, the tiny larvae drift with the current as plankton for about three weeks, feeding on zooplankton and phytoplankton before settling to the bottom as a partially developed damsel.   A single male will often mate with several females during the breeding season.

In their natural habitat, Neon Damselfish feed on algae, zooplankton, and occasionally benthic organisms.   In an aquarium environment they will eagerly accept live fortified brine shrimp, finely chopped fresh or frozen meaty foods like squid, fish flesh, shrimp, clam, Mysis, etc. and Spirulina flakes or pellets two to three times a day.

Neon Damselfish (Pomacentrus Alleni) are occasionally available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts in specialty fish stores and from online wholesalers, trans shippers, and retailers at prices varying from $14.99 to $37.99 at a purchase size of 3/4″ to 2-1/2″.

Neon Damselfish (Pomacentrus Alleni)

Neon Damselfish (Pomacentrus Alleni)

 

 

 

 

 

Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons
Aquarium Type: Reef or FOLR
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi Aggressive
Aquarium Hardiness: Very Hardy
Water Conditions: 72-84°F, dKH 8 to 12 , pH 8.1 – 8.4, sg 1.020-1.026
Max. Size: 2.5″
Color Form: Blue, Green, Yellow
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Reef Safe
Origin: Indo Pacific Ocean, Andaman Sea, Fiji
Family: Pomacanthidae
Lifespan: 5 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner

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Cloudy Damselfish (Dascyllus carneus)

Cloudy Damselfish (Dascyllus carneus)

Cloudy Damselfish (Dascyllus carneus)

Cloudy Damselfish (Dascyllus carneus)

Cloudy Damselfish (Dascyllus carneus) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Indian Dascyllus, Twobar Humbug, Cardinal Humbug, or Cloudy Dascyllus are found throughout the Indian Ocean from South and East Africa, to the Andaman Sea, western Indonesia and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, and the Java Sea.

The Cloudy Damselfish is an uncommon variant of one of the most popular aquarium species; the Two Stripe Damselfish (Dascyllus reticulatus) and similar to the Headband Humbug (Dascyllus reticulatus).   Dascyllus carneus are similar in size, temperment, and behavior to Two Stripe Damselfish

Cloudy Damselfish (Dascyllus carneus)

Cloudy Damselfish (Dascyllus carneus)

Cloudy Damselfish have a pearly white body with a slightly darker head; a black band from the first dorsal fin through the base of the pectoral fin to the pelvic fins; small dark rimmed blue spots on the head, nape, and breast; a broad black margin on the dorsal, pelvic, and anal fins, and a bluish caudal and rear dorsal fin. Some individuals have a black band before the caudal peduncle that extends onto the rear dorsal and anal fins.

Like the Two Stripe Damselfish, Cloudy Damselfish are a social species usually found in small shoals around staghorn Acropora and Pocillopora branching corals, in the shallow lagoons and subtidal reefs of their range, at depths from 16 to over 130 feet.   One or two dominant males will defend a single branching coral head with a harem of juveniles and females and in return for the shelter provided by the coral, the fish remove unwanted algal growth. Dascyllus carneus are usually encountered in schools or small harems, but both juveniles and adults are occasionally seen alone in these same locales.

The Cloudy Damselfish is an active species that feed on microalgea, small crustaceans, and zooplankton during daylight hours and seeks shelter among the coral heads during the night.

In an aquarium environment, juvenile Cloudy Damselfish do well in pairs or a harem of five females and one male. Caution is needed when attempting to keep them with damsels of the same or other species. Like many damsels, they are protogynous hermaphrodites and can change gender from female to male when a male is needed in a harem.

Cloudy Damselfish are completely reef safe and can be housed in either a reef tank or FOLR aquarium of at least 55 gallon capacity with a sand or finely crushed coral substrate, plenty of mature live rock arranged into territories with crevices, caves, and overhangs for them to hide among, and a lot of swimming space.   Ideally, each Striped Damsel should be provided a territory with its own rock cave or coral head.

Due the aggressive nature of adults, juvenile Cloudy Damselfish can be raised in a FOLR community tank with other moderately aggressive species such as basslets, angels, and most clownfish.   Mixing damsels with timid species such as cardinalfish, Chromis, or batfish should be avoided.   Also, avoid housing them with Lionfish, Snappers, Groupers, Triggers, Eels, or any other predatory fish that can grow large enough to swallow them.

In a reef aquarium with corals Cloudy Damselfish will sometimes adopt Acropora and Pocillopora corals in a somewhat symbiotic relationship. They will not harm invertebrates, corals, or disrupt the decoration in reef tanks.

Cloudy Damselfishh have not been bred in an aquarium environment, however, they reproduction is similar to other damsels in their genus.

The males perform a mating “dance” to entice a female to lay her adhesive eggs in a prepared nest; typically a shell or smooth rock in the substrate.   If the female is receptive, she will follow him to the nesting site and deposit her adhesive eggs (up to a thousand) for him to fertilize.  After the male fertilizes the eggs, he will guard and aerate them until they hatch out, usually in about three days.  During this period, the male becomes extremely aggressive and allows no one near the nest.

In their natural habitat, the tiny fry in their larval stage will drift with the current as plankton for about three weeks, feeding on zooplankton and phytoplankton before settling to the bottom as a partially developed damselfish. A single male will often mate with several females in the harem during the breeding season.

In the wild, Cloudy Damselfish feed on algae, small crustaceans, ostracods, amphipods, copepods, tunicates, benthic invertebrates, and other zooplankton.

In an aquarium environment with plenty of mature live rock, they will eagerly accept a wide range of live, frozen, and freeze dried foods including omnivore flakes, pellets, Spirulina, brine shrimp, Mysis shrimp, finely chopped fish fillets or shrimp, etc.

Small portions fed several times throughout the day are recommended over feeding one or two large portions.

Cloudy Damselfish (Dascyllus carneus) are only occasionally available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts in local fish stores and from online wholesalers, trans shippers, and retailers.   Prices vary for for a 1″ to 2″ specimen, but expect to pay $30.00 or more per individual.

Cloudy Damselfish (Dascyllus carneus)

Cloudy Damselfish (Dascyllus carneus)

 

 

 

 

 
 

Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons
Aquarium Type: Reef or FOLR
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Aggressive
Aquarium Hardiness: Very Hardy
Water Conditions: 72-78°F, dKH 8 to 12 , pH 8.1 – 8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 2.8″
Color Form: Black, Tan, White
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Reef
Origin: Indian Ocean
Family: Chaetodontidae
Lifespan: 5 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner

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Shoal of Two Stripe Damselfish (Dascyllus reticulatus)

Two Stripe Damselfish (Dascyllus reticulatus)

Shoal of Two Stripe Damselfish (Dascyllus reticulatus)

Shoal of Two Stripe Damselfish (Dascyllus reticulatus)

Two Stripe Damselfish (Dascyllus reticulatus) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as 2-Stripe Damsel, Reticulated Dascyllus, Headband humbug, Marginate damselfish, Reticulated puller, and Reticulated Damselfish, is found throughout Indo Pacific waters; from the Cocos Keeling Islands in the eastern Indian Ocean to Samoa and the Line Islands, north to Southern Japan, south to Rowley Shoals in the Eastern Indian Ocean and Lord Howe Island, Indonesia, Tonga, and Australia. This species is not found in the Hawaiian or Society Islands.

Two Stripe Damselfish (Dascyllus reticulatus)

Two Stripe Damselfish (Dascyllus reticulatus)

Two Stripe Damselfish have a silver gray to bluish green body color with two dark vertical bands and a blue green caudal fin. One band starts behind the gill plate and runs from the dorsal to the pectoral fins. The second starts at the rear of the dorsal fin just before the caudle peduncle and runs through the ventral fin.

Two Stripe Damselfish are similar in size, temperament, and behavior to Cloudy Damselfish (Dascyllus carneus)

Like Four Striped Damselfish, Two Stripe Damselfish are a social species usually found in shoals of 25 or

Two Stripe Damselfish (Dascyllus reticulatus)

Two Stripe Damselfish (Dascyllus reticulatus)

more individuals around staghorn Acropora and other isolated coral heads in the shallow lagoons and subtidal reefs of their range in depths from 3 to over 100 feet. Although usually encountered in schools or small harems, both juveniles and adults are often found alone in these same locales.

Dascyllus reticulatus is an active species that feed on microalgae, small crustaceans, and zooplankton during daylight hours and shelters among the coral heads during the night.

In an aquarium environment, juvenile Two Stripe Damselfish do well in pairs or a harem of five females and one male, but caution is needed when housing them with damsels of the same or other species. They are hermaphroditic and can change gender from female to male when a male is needed in a harem.

Two Stripe Damselfish are completely reef safe and can be housed in either a reef tank or FOLR aquarium of at least 55 gallon capacity with a sand or finely crushed coral substrate, plenty of mature live rock arranged into territories with crevices, caves, and overhangs for them to hide among, and a lot of swimming space.   Ideally, each Striped Damsel should be provided a territory with its own rock cave or coral head.

Due the aggressive behavior of adults, juvenile Two Stripe Damsels can be raised in a FOLR community tank with other moderately aggressive species such as basslets, angels, and most clownfish.   Mixing damsels with timid species such as cardinalfish, Chromis, or batfish should be avoided.   Also, avoid housing them with Lionfish, Snappers, Groupers, Triggers, Eels, or any other predatory fish that can grow large enough to swallow them.

In a reef aquarium with corals and anemones, Two Stripe Damselfish will sometimes bond with an anemone in a symbiotic relationship. They will generally not harm invertebrates, corals, or disrupt the decoration in reef tanks.

Although Two Stripe Damselfish have been bred in an aquarium environment, the fry are difficult to raise and the acquisition price of this species does not justify breeding.

Two Stripe Damsels reproduce similar to other damsels in their genus.   The males perform a mating “dance” to entice a female to lay her adhesive eggs in a prepared nest; typically a shell or smooth rock in the substrate near some type of cover.   If the female is receptive, she will follow him to the nesting site, and deposit her eggs.   The quantity of eggs varies from female to female can be well over 1,000 per mating. After the male fertilizes the eggs, he will guard and aerate them until they hatch out, usually in about three to four days. During this period, the male becomes extremely aggressive and allows no one near the nest.

In their natural habitat, the tiny fry in their larval stage drift with the current as plankton for about three weeks, feeding on zooplankton and phytoplankton before settling to the bottom as a partially developed damsel. A single male will often mate with several females in the harem during the breeding season.

In the wild, Two Stripe Damselfish feed on algae, fish eggs, small crustaceans, ostracods, amphipods, copepods, tunicates, benthic invertebrates, and other zooplankton.

In an aquarium environment with plenty of mature live rock, they will eagerly accept a wide range of live, frozen, and freeze dried foods including omnivore flakes, pellets, Spiurlina, brine shrimp, Mysis shrimp, finely chopped fish fillets or shrimp, etc.

Small portions fed several times throughout the day are recommended over feeding one or two large portions.

Two Stripe Damselfish (Dascyllus reticulatus) are commonly available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts in local fish stores and from online wholesalers, trans shippers, and retailers at prices varying from $3.99 to $5.50 at a purchase size of 3/4″ to 1-1/2 for small; and 1-1/4″ – 2″ for medium.

Two Stripe Damselfish (Dascyllus reticulatus)

Two Stripe Damselfish (Dascyllus reticulatus)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons
Aquarium Type: Reef or FOLR
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Aggressive
Aquarium Hardiness: Very Hardy
Water Conditions: 72-78°F, dKH 8 to 12 , pH 8.1 – 8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 3.5″
Color Form: Black, Green, White
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Reef
Origin: West Pacific
Family: Pomacanthidae
Lifespan: 5 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner

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Four Stripe Damselfish (Dascyllus melanurus)

Four Striped Damselfish (Dascyllus melanurus)

Four Stripe Damselfish (Dascyllus melanurus)

Four Stripe Damselfish (Dascyllus melanurus)

Four Striped Damselfish (Dascyllus melanurus) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as Blacktail Dascyllus, Blacktail Damselfish, Humbug Damselfish, or Blacktail Humbug is found in West Pacific waters from the Indo Australian Archipelago and western Caroline Islands including Indonesia, New Guinea, the Philippines, and the northern Great Barrier Reef of Australia.

Four Striped Damselfish are usually found in schools of 25 or more individuals around staghorn Acropora and other isolated coral heads in the shallow lagoons and subtidal reefs of their range in depths from 3 to over 110 feet. Although usually encountered in schools or small harems, both juveniles and adults are often found alone in these same locales.

Dascyllus melanurus is an active species that feed on fish eggs, crustacean larvae, algae, ostracods, amphipods, copepods, small fish, and tunicates during daylight hours and shelters among the coral heads during the night.

Like Three Stripe Damselfish, Domino Damselfish, and most species of clownfish; juvenile Four Stripe Damselfish will often enter into symbiotic relationships with sea anemone, however, as they become adults they usually cease this activity.

Four Stripe Damselfish (Dascyllus melanurus)

Four Stripe Damselfish (Dascyllus melanurus)

The Four Stripe Damselfish has a snow white body with three wide black bars along the flanks separated by three white bands and a smaller black bar at the tail, and a white spot on the dorsal portion of the snout.  The pectoral, pelvic, and caudal fins are black; sometimes edged in blue, and the dorsal fin has two black bars with a white bar in the middle.

Easily confused with the Three Stripe Damselfish (Dascyllus aruanus); Dascyllus melanurus has 4 vertical black stripes while Dascyllus aruanus has 3 black stripes running vertically.

Adult Four Striped Damsels can be sexed based on their appearance.   Males are usually larger than females, but a safer method of sexing is to observe the genital area.  Males are equipped with a tube that ends in a tip, while females have a wider, crate like tube.

In an aquarium environment, juvenile Four Stripe Damselfish do well in groups of five or more individuals, but caution is needed when housing them with damsels of the same or other species.

Four Stripe Damselfish are reef safe and can be housed in either a reef environment or a FOLR aquarium of at least 30 gallon capacity with a sand or finely crushed coral substrate, plenty of mature live rock arranged into territories with crevices, caves, and overhangs for them to hide among, and a lot of swimming space. Ideally, each Striped Damsel should be provided a territory with its own rock cave or coral head.

Due the aggressive behavior of adults, juveniles can be raised in a FOLR community tank with other moderately aggressive species such as basslets, angels, and most clownfish.  Mixing damsels with timid species such as cardinalfish, chromis, or batfish should be avoided.  Also, avoid housing them with Lionfish, Snappers, Groupers, Triggers, Eels, or any other predatory fish large enough to swallow them.

In a reef aquarium with corals and carpet type anemones, Four Stripe Damselfish will often bond with an anemone in a symbiotic relationship.   They generally do not harm invertebrates, corals, or disrupt the decoration in reef setups.

Although Four Stripe Damselfish are frequently bred in an aquarium environment, the fry are extremely difficult to raise.

During breeding, the males perform a mating “dance” bobbing up and down in the water column to entice a female to lay her adhesive eggs in a prepared nest; typically a shell or smooth rock in the substrate near some type of cover.   If the female is receptive, she will join in on the bobbing of the male, follow him to the nesting site, and deposit her eggs.   The quantity of eggs varies from female to female but is at least 1,000 per session.   After the male fertilizes the eggs, he will guard and aerate them until they hatch out, usually in about three days. During this period, the male becomes extremely aggressive and allows no one near the nest.

In their natural habitat, the tiny fry in their larval stage drift with the current as plankton for about three weeks, feeding on zooplankton and phytoplankton before settling to the bottom as a more developed damsel.   A single male will often mate with several females.

In the wild, Four Stripe Damselfish feed on algae, fish eggs, crustacean larvae, ostracods, amphipods, copepods, small fish, tunicates, benthic invertebrates, and other zooplankton.

In an aquarium environment with plenty of mature live rock, they will accept a wide range of live, frozen, and freeze dried foods including omnivore flakes, pellets, Spiurlina, brine shrimp, Mysis shrimp, finely chopped fish fillets or shrimp, etc. Small portions fed several times throughout the day are recommeded over one or two large portions.

Four Stripe Damselfish (Dascyllus melanurus) are commonly available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts in local fish shops and from online wholesalers, trans shippers, and retailers at prices varying from $5.00 to $23.00 at a purchase size of 3/4″ to 1-1/2.

Although some newcomers to the tropical fish keeping hobby use Dascyllus melanurus to cycle their systems; using cured live rock is a much better option.

Four Stripe Damselfish (Dascyllus melanurus)

Four Stripe Damselfish (Dascyllus melanurus)

 

 

 

 

 

Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons
Aquarium Type: Reef or FOLR
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Aggressive
Aquarium Hardiness: Very Hardy
Water Conditions: 72-78°F, dKH 8 to 12 , pH 8.1 – 8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 3.3″
Color Form: Black, White
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Reef
Origin: West Pacific
Family: Pomacanthidae
Lifespan: 5 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner

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Three Stripe Damselfish (Dascyllus aruanus)

Three Stripe Damselfish (Dascyllus aruanus)

Three Stripe Damselfish (Dascyllus aruanus)

Three Stripe Damselfish (Dascyllus aruanus)

Three Stripe Damselfish (Dascyllus aruanus) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as Striped Damsel, Striped Damselfish, Black and white Damselfish, Threestripe Damselfish, White tailed Damselfish, White tailed Damsel, Banded Humbug, Common Humbug, Zebra Humbug, Humbug Damselfish, Humbug Dascyllus, White-tiled Footballer, and Whitetail Dascyllus is found in Indo West Pacific waters from East Africa and the Red Sea to the Line, Marquesan, and Tuamoto islands. They are also found off the southern coast of Japan and further south to Sidney, Australia.

Three Stripe Damselfish are usually found in large groups around staghorn Acropora and other stony coral heads in the shallow lagoons and subtidal reefs of their range.   In smaller groups, Three Stripe Damselfish are often found over individual coral heads at depths from 3 to over 210 feet.   Off the southern coast of Japan, Three Stripe Damselfish are frequently found living with the Lemon Damselfish (Pomacentrus moluccensis).

Like most damselfish species, Dascyllus aruanus is an active species that feed on algae, benthic invertebrates, and zooplankton during daylight hours and shelters among the coral heads during the night.   Like Domino Damselfish and most clownfish; juvenile Three Stripe Damselfish will often enter into symbiotic relationships with sea anemone, however, as they mature into adults, they don’t seem to need their protection and usually cease the activity.

Three Stripe Damselfish (Dascyllus aruanus)

Three Stripe Damselfish (Dascyllus aruanus)

The Three Stripe Damselfish has a snow white body color with three wide black bars along the flanks, separated by two white bands with a smaller bar of white to offset the tail, and a large spot on the dorsal portion of the snout.   The pectoral fins are translucent, the pelvic fins are black, and the caudal fin is colored a pale white.

Easily confused with the Dascyllus melanurus, commonly known as the Four Striped Damselfish; Dascyllus aruanus has 3 vertical black stripes while Dascyllus melanurus has 4 black stripes running vertically.

Adult Three Striped Damsels can be sexed based on their appearance.   Males are usually larger than females, however, a safer method of sexing is to look at the genital area.   Males are equipped with a tube that ends in a tip, while females have a wider, crate like tube.

Three Stripe Damselfish do well in groups of three or more individuals, but use caution when housing them with other damsels of the same or other species.

Three Stripe Damselfish are reef safe and can be housed in either a reef environment or a FOLR aquarium of at least 30 gallon capacity with a sand or finely crushed coral substrate, plenty of mature live rock arranged into territories with crevices, caves, and overhangs for them to hide among, and a lot of swimming space.   Ideally, each Striped Damsel should be provided with its own rock cave or coral head.

Due the aggressive behavior of adults, juveniles can be raised in a FOLR community tank with other moderately aggressive species such as basslets, angels, and most clownfish.   Never mix damsels with timid species like cardinalfish, chromis, or batfish.   Also, avoid housing them with Lionfish, Snappers, Groupers, Triggers, Eels, or any other predatory fish large enough to swallow them.

In a reef aquarium with corals and carpet type anemones, they will often bond with an anemone to form a symbiotic relationship.   They will generally not harm invertebrates, corals, or disrupt the decoration in reef setups.

Although Three Stripe Damselfish have been successfully bred in an aquarium environment, the fry are extremely difficult to raise.

During breeding, the males perform a mating “dance” to entice a female to lay her adhesive eggs in a prepared nest; typically a shell or smooth rock in the substrate near some type of cover.   After the male fertilizes the eggs, he will guard and aerate them until they hatch out in about 3 to 5 days.   During this period, the male becomes extremely aggressive and allows no one near the nest.   In their natural habitat, the tiny hatched larvae drift with the current as plankton, feeding on zooplankton and phytoplankton before settling to the bottom.   A single male will often mate with several females during the breeding season.

In the wild, Three Stripe Damselfish feed on algae, benthic invertebrates, and zooplankton.  In an aquarium environment with plenty of mature live rock, they will accept a wide range of live, frozen, and freeze dried foods including omnivore flakes, pellets, Spirulina, brine shrimp, Mysis shrimp, finely chopped fish fillets or shrimp, etc. Small portions fed several times throughout the day are recommeded over one or two large portions.

Three Stripe Damselfish (Dascyllus aruanus) are commonly available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts in local fish shops and from online wholesalers, trans shippers, and retailers at prices from $3.00 to $20.00 at approximate purchase sizes:  Small: 3/4″ to 1-1/4″, Medium: 1-1/4″ to 2-1/4″

Although some newcomers to the tropical fish keeping hobby use Dascyllus aruanus to cycle their tanks; cured live rock is a much better option to cycle fishless tanks.

Three Stripe Damselfish (Dascyllus aruanus)

Three Stripe Damselfish (Dascyllus aruanus)

 

 

 

 

 

Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons
Aquarium Type: Reef or FOLR
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Aggressive
Aquarium Hardiness: Very Hardy
Water Conditions: 75-82°F, dKH 8 to 12 , pH 8.1 – 8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 3.9″
Color Form: Black, White
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Reef
Origin: Indo Pacific
Family: Pomacanthidae
Lifespan: 5 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner

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Princess Damselfish (Pomacentrus vaiuli)

Princess Damselfish (Pomacentrus vaiuli)

Princess Damselfish (Pomacentrus vaiuli)

Princess Damselfish (Pomacentrus vaiuli)

Princess Damselfish (Pomacentrus vaiuli) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as Ocellate Damselfish are found in the Pacific Ocean from the Moluccas to Samoa, north to the Izu Islands, south to Rowley Shoals in the eastern Indian Ocean and New Caledonia to Fiji.

Princess Damselfish are occasionally exported for the aquarium trade, mostly from Fiji, where they are commonly found living among several of the coral reefs in the region.

Princess Damselfish are found in lagoons and seaward reefs among mixed coral and rubble at depths down to 135 feet where they feed on a variety of benthic algae and small invertebrates.

Princess Damselfish (Pomacentrus vaiuli)

Princess Damselfish (Pomacentrus vaiuli)

Pomacentrus vaiuli have a grayish to blue body color with lighter orange tones on the upper half that extend to the caudal fin, and a small black eyespot on the rear portion of the dorsal fin. The body colors between individuals in various locales vary slightly.

Some specimens have a darker and deeper blue body color, while others exhibit more of a yellow to orange color.

Princess Damselfish (Pomacentrus vaiuli)

Princess Damselfish (Pomacentrus vaiuli)

Princess Damselfish can be housed in a mature reef or FOLR aquarium of at least 30 gallon capacity with a sandy or finely crushed coral substrate and plenty of aged live rock arranged into crevices, caves, and overhangs for them to establish territories and hide among.   This species of damselfish can also be kept in nano reefs.

Princes Damselfish are perfectly reef safe and will not disturb corals, invertebrates, or most peaceful fish species.   Juveniles are peaceful and can be kept in small groups provided plenty of live rock and swimming space is afforded them. As they outgrow the juvenile stage, they may become semi aggressive and territorial towards other damselfish or similarly sized species; however, when housed in a large aquarium with sufficient live rock, moderate to strong water flow, and tank mates that range from peaceful to semi aggressive in temperament; their overall aggression level is easily managed.

Ocellate Damselfish have been bred in an aquarium environment however the larvae are difficult to rear.

Princes Damselfish are oviparous substrate spawners that exhibit distinct pairing during breeding.  After a somewhat prolonged mating dance, the female will deposit her demersal adhesive eggs to a cleaned rock, piece of shell, or other substrate where the male then fertilizes them. The male will aggressively protect and aerate the eggs from other fish until they hatch, usually within a week or so.  The hatched larvae drift away with the current as plankton, feeding on zooplankton and phytoplankton before settling to the bottom.

In their natural habitat, Princess Damselfish feed on a variety of algae and small invertebrates.   In an aquarium environment with plenty of mature live rock, their diet should be augmented with a variety of meaty foods, marine algae, and commercial preparations that include frozen, freeze dried, and flake foods with brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, spirulina, cyclops, Formula I and II, etc.

Although Princess Damselfish (Pomacentrus vaiuli) are not commonly available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts they can be occasionally purchased online from wholesalers, importers, and specialty retailers from Fiji at reasonable prices.   Pomacentrus vaiuli is a great reef aquarium fish that is easy to keep, can be housed in groups with other peaceful species, and nibbles on troublesome filamentous algae in your tank.

Princess Damselfish (Pomacentrus vaiuli)

Princess Damselfish (Pomacentrus vaiuli)

 

 

 

 

 

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons for singles
Aquarium Type: Reef or FOLR
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Very Hardy
Water Conditions: 72-80°F, dKH 8 to 12 , pH 8.1 – 8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 3.9″
Color Form: Blue, Yellow
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Reef
Origin: Fiji, Tonga
Family: Pomacanthidae
Lifespan: 5 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner

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Juv Cocoa Damselfish (Stegastes variabilis)

Cocoa Damselfish (Stegastes variabilis)

Juv Cocoa Damselfish (Stegastes variabilis)

Juv Cocoa Damselfish (Stegastes variabilis)

Cocoa Damselfish (Stegastes variabilis) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as Cacao Fish are a solitary, non migratory species found in the Western Atlantic, the Gulf of Mexico, the Red Sea, Caribbean Sea, and along the Florida coast.

Cocoa Damselfish from Brazil and the Caribbean are genetically distinct from those collected in other locales, but all are commonly found in shallow rocky or coral reefs at depths from 3 to over 95 feet. Although juveniles and sub adults often appear inshore; adults are more common on offshore reefs, wrecks, and around offshore oil platforms.

Stegastes variabilis has a large dorsal fin and a distinctive oval body shape that is compressed on the sides.

Adult Cocoa Damselfish (Stegastes variabilis)

Adult Cocoa Damselfish (Stegastes variabilis)

Cocoa Damselfish are a dark blue to almost brown color on the upper half of the body, and a bright yellow on the lower half.  Dark vertical blue stripes run along the flanks, on the top of the head, and the snout area.  They have a small black to tan spot above the pectoral fins, and another on the top of the caudal peduncle.

As Cocoa Damselfish grow into adults, they retain the small black spot on the upper caudal peduncle but their body color turns a dark yellow.

Juveniles and newborn specimens have a number of small blue spots and a series of stripes on the head and upper

Juvenile Cocoa Damselfish (Stegastes variabilis)

Juvenile Cocoa Damselfish (Stegastes variabilis)

body. They also have two spots and a strip on the upper portion of the iris.  They have a much brighter yellow body color than adults and a more distinct dark blue eyespot edged in bright blue on the mid dorsal fin.

Similar to Beaugregory Damselfish (Stegastes leucostictus), both adult and juvenile Cocoa Damselfish are easily distinguished by the dark spot on the top of the caudal peduncle.

Cocoa Damselfish are aggressively territorial and best housed in an aged FOLR aquarium of at least 55 gallon capacity, with a sand or finely crushed coral substrate, and plenty of mature live rock arranged into caves, crevices, and overhangs for hiding. Although some have been housed in reef tanks with corals, they feed on sponges, anemone, and some inverts so should be considered reef safe with caution.

In a fish only live rock tank with substantial growths of algae, they do best with mildly aggressive tankmates like surgeonfish, large angelfish, dottybacks, hawkfish, etc.

Cocoa Damselfish have not been sucessfully bred in an aquarium environment. In their natural habitat Cocoa Damselfish are solitary until breeding season. They have distinct mates and a mating “dance” that they perform. Adhesive eggs are laid by the female on empty sea shells, stones, or other cleaned pieces of rock where they are then fertilized by the male.

The male aggressively guards the eggs from other intruders and aerates them for up to a week until they hatch out. The hatched larvae drift away with the current as plankton, feeding on zooplankton and phytoplankton before eventually settling to the bottom.

In their natural habitat, adult Cocoa Damselfish feed on benthic algae, sponges, ascidians and anemones, and detritus.   Juveniles feed on zooplankton and invertebrates like harpacticoid copepods and nemerteans.

In an aquarium environment plenty of aged live rock; adults should be fed a variety of flake foods containing Spirulina, algae, Nori, and mostly vegetarian foods.   Juveniles feed on zooplankton and should be offered fortified brine shrimp, finely chopped Mysis, squid, shrimp, clam, fresh fish, etc.

Cocoa Damselfish (Stegastes variabilis) are rarely seen by tropical fish keeping enthusiasts in local fish shops. Online they are occasionally available from transshippers, wholesalers, and a few retail outlets at reasonable prices. Most specimens are collected from Caribbean and Brazilian waters.

Juvenile Cocoa Damselfish (Stegastes variabilis)

Juvenile Cocoa Damselfish (Stegastes variabilis)

 

 

 

 

 

Minimum Tank Size: 55 to 75 gallons
Aquarium Type: Reef or FOLR
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi Aggressive
Aquarium Hardiness: Very Hardy
Water Conditions: 72-84°F, dKH 8 to 12 , pH 8.0 – 8.5, sg 1.020-1.026
Max. Size: 4.9″
Color Form: Blue, Yellow
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Reef w/Caution
Origin: Brazil, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico
Family: Pomacanthidae
Lifespan: 18 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate

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Fiji Blue Devil Damselfish (Chrysiptera taupou)

Fiji Blue Devil Damselfish (Chrysiptera taupou)

Fiji Blue Devil Damselfish (Chrysiptera taupou)

Fiji Blue Devil Damselfish (Chrysiptera taupou)

Fiji Blue Devil Damselfish (Chrysiptera taupou) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Southseas Devil, South Seas Devil Damselfish, South Seas Devil, Tonga Blue Devil Damsel, Fiji Blue Devil, Fiji Devil, South Sea Demoiselle, or Village Belle, is found in the Western Pacific, from the Coral Sea to the Great Barrier Reef, New Caledonia, the Loyalty Islands, Fiji, Samoa, and Vanuatu.

Fiji Blue Devil Damselfish can be found alone, in pairs, or more commonly in small groups in shallow lagoons and offshore coral reefs at depths from 3 to 25 feet where they graze on algae, phytoplankton, and zooplankton.    Fiji Blue Devil Damselfish are frequently seen defending small territories as they dart in and out of openings and crevices among the coral reefs in Fiji and Tonga.

Like their closely related cousins Chrysiptera cyanea, the Fiji Blue Devil Damselfish (Chrysiptera taupou) is sexually dimorphic and sexes are easily identified.

Fiji Blue Devil Damselfish (Chrysiptera taupou)

Fiji Blue Devil Damselfish (Chrysiptera taupou)

Males have a beautiful bright blue body color with a yellow to yellow orange belly, a white tinged chest, and numerous yellow dots on the flanks. They have whitish line on the posterior of the abdomen and a blue dorsal fin. The pelvic and anal fins are yellow, and the caudal fin is blue at the base and yellow towards the posterior. Many adults have a black eye spot at the base and towards the rear of the dorsal fin.

Female Fiji Blue Devil Damselfish are similar to adult males but have yellow dorsal fins that become more transparent towards the rear.

Except for the much paler yellow dots on the body; juvenile Fiji Blue Devil Damselfish look identical to adult specimens.

Fiji Blue Devil Damselfish have the ability to turn almost black when threatened.   After the perceived threat is gone, they return to their electric blue and yellow colors in just a matter of seconds.

Chrysiptera taupou and Chrysiptera cyanea look very similar to each other, but Chrysiptera taupou have the yellow belly and yellow dots on the sides.   Fiji Blue Devil Damselfish (Chrysiptera taupou) and Blue Damselfish or the Sapphire Devil (Chrysiptera cyanea) were previously regarded by scientests as variants of the same species; which is why tropical fish keeping enthusiasts can still find them in fish stores under the same common name; Blue Devil Damsel.    The fact that their geographical range in the northern section of the Great Barrier Reef overlaps may also lend to the confusion.

Fiji Blue Devil Damselfish are aggressive and are best housed in a FOLR aquarium of at least 30 gallon capacity, with a sandy or finely crushed coral substrate and copious amounts of mature live rock arranged into numerous hiding places for them to maintain their territory. They can be extremely aggressive towards conspecifics and will harass much larger tank makes that venture into their territory.   Potential tank mates include angelfish, small groupers, wrasses, butterfly fish, clownfish, pseudochromis, etc. Although they are completely reef safe with corals, they are known to attack smaller invertebrates and slower moving peaceful species.

The Fiji Blue Devil is an egg depositing species that has been spawned in an aquarium environment, however, the fry are extremely difficult to rear.

When ready to spawn, the males will prepare a nesting site in their territory on a piece of clam shell, coral, or some smooth rubble. He will then court a fertile female by rapidly swimming in her vicinity, displaying his brilliant colors. if the courting “dance” is successful, the female will deposit her adhesive eggs on the substrate where the male promptly fertilizes them. The females are picky and will travel from nest site to nest site to review several potential mates before selecting a partner.

Spawning itself is similar to other substrate spawners; the female lays up to 20,000 tiny oval adhesive eggs on the cleaned substrate. The male quickly fertilizes them and aggressively guards the eggs from intruders while aerating them until they hatch out, usually less than a week. The hatched larvae drift away with the current as plankton, feeding on zooplankton and phytoplankton before settling to the bottom.

Fiji Blue Devil Damselfish in their natural habitat feed mainly on phytoplankton and zooplankton.   In an aquarium environment with mature live rock; they are not choosy and will readily accept a varied diet of live, frozen, or freeze dried brine shrimp, chopped Mysis shrimp, carnivore and herbivore flakes or pellets, meaty commercial angelfish preparations, and Spirulina based frozen or prepared foods. Small portions that can be consumed within a couple of minutes fed 2 to 3 times a day or more are recommended.

Fiji Blue Devil Damselfish (Chrysiptera taupou) are extremely hardy, relatively inexpensive, and mostly available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts from tropical fish shops and a multitude of online sources at approximate purchase sizes of 1″ to 3″.

Fiji Blue Devil Damselfish (Chrysiptera taupou)

Fiji Blue Devil Damselfish (Chrysiptera taupou)

 

 

 

 

 

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons for singles or pair/ 100 gallons for community
Aquarium Type: FOLR
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Aggressive
Aquarium Hardiness: Very Hardy
Water Conditions: 72-78°F, dKH 8 to 12 , pH 8.1 – 8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 3″
Color Form: Blue, Yellow
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Reef w/Caution
Origin: Fiji, Tonga
Family: Pomacanthidae
Lifespan: 5 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner

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Sapphire Damselfish (Pomacentrus pavo)

Sapphire Damselfish (Pomacentrus pavo)

Pair Sapphire Damselfish (Pomacentrus pavo)

Pair Sapphire Damselfish (Pomacentrus pavo)

The Sapphire Damselfish (Pomacentrus pavo) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Jade Damselfish, Peacock Damselfish, Pavo Damsel, or Blue Damselfish is found across the Indian ocean and is common along the coast of East African to the Tuamoto Islands, north to Taiwan, south to Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands, and the Coral Sea.

Sapphire Damselfish are frequently found in shoals of up to 30 individuals in and around Acropora corals, in the shallow waters of sandy lagoon reefs, isolated patches of reefs, on coral heads, around jetty structures, and in rubble strewn zones where they feed on filamentous algae and zooplankton. They are a highly territorial species that will refuse to allow other fish in their territory but will quickly seek cover among the heads of Acropora corals when threatened.

Because of their territorial nature, Sapphire Damselfish can always be found in the same general area.   Their territorial nature is also why they are seldom if ever seen in aquariums.

Mostly found at depths between 3 to 60 feet, in Tanzania, Pomacentrus pavo are seldom seen on reefs deeper than 40 feet.   Sapphire Damselfish are a shallow water diurnal species that dart in and out of the corals during daylight hours and shelter among the Acropora at night.   Sapphire Damselfish have the ability to hide in a hole, crevice, or coral head and darken to an almost black color when threatened. After the perceived threat disappears, they quickly return to their electric blue green colors in just a matter of seconds.

Sapphire Damselfish (Pomacentrus pavo)

Sapphire Damselfish (Pomacentrus pavo)

The base color of Peacock Damselfish is a deep blue green, with vertical blue striations down the body and horizontal blue striations across the face.  All the fins are lined with a light blue stripe, however, the anal fin has a markedly darker blue stripe. Mature individuals have a dark blue or black dot behind the gill.

Although Sapphire Damselfish are often confused with the common Green Damsel (Chromis viridis); the Green Damselfish has a markedly forked tail while the Sapphire Damselfish does not.

Sapphire Damselfish are a great choice for a FOLR or reef aquarium.   They are exceptional hardy, completely reef safe, less aggressive than most other damselfish species, and make a great addition to corals and invertebrates in a reef environment. Their small size also makes them a good candidate for nano reef aquariums.

A small shoal of Sapphire Damselfish can be housed in a mature aquarium of at least 30 gallon capacity with a sandy substrate, plenty of aged live rock arranged into caves, crevices, and overhangs for them to hide among, and a lot of free swimming space.

Although the Sapphire Damselfish has been commercially bred for the aquarium trade; no successful rearing have been reported in a home aquarium environment.

Like Jewel Damselfish (Microspathodon Chrysurus), Pomacentrus pavo are oviparous and form up into distinct pairs before mating.   Male damselfish typically establish a territory and prepare a cleaned surface on a substrate of rubble or coral for the female to deposit her demersal, adhesive eggs.   Once the eggs are laid the male quickly fertilizes them and will aggressively defend them from any intruders.  The fertilized eggs are aerated by the male until they are hatched out.   The tiny hatched larvae drift away with the current as plankton, feeding on the other zooplankton and phytoplankton until they eventually settle to the bottom.

In their natural environment, Sapphire Damselfish graze on zooplankton and filamentous algae.   In a mature aquarium, they will eat any nuisance filamentous algae and zooplankton in the tank and should have additional feedings of fresh, frozen, or freeze dried herbivore preparations, pellets, and flakes. Feeding several small portions daily is recommended.

The Sapphire Damselfish (Pomacentrus pavo) is a relatively rare species that is occasionally available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts from trans shippers, commercial farms, specialty fish shops, and a variety of online sources at purchase sizes of 3/4″ to 1-1/4”.

Sapphire Damselfish (Pomacentrus pavo)

Sapphire Damselfish (Pomacentrus pavo)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Aquarium Type: Reef or FOLR
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi Aggressive
Aquarium Hardiness: Very Hardy
Water Conditions: 72-78°F, dKH 8 to 12 , pH 8.2 – 8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max. Size: 3″
Color Form: Bright Blue, Black, Orange
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Reef
Origin:
Family: Pomacanthidae
Lifespan: 5 years

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Blue Sapphire Damselfish (Chrysiptera springeri)

Blue Sapphire Damselfish (Chrysiptera cf. springeri)

Blue Sapphire Damselfish (Chrysiptera springeri)

Blue Sapphire Damselfish (Chrysiptera springeri)

The Blue Sapphire Damselfish (Chrysiptera springeri) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Springeri Damsel, Springer’s Damselfish, Springers Demoiselle, or Royal Blue Damselfish is found in the Western Pacific Ocean, where it occurs in the tropical waters of Indonesia (Moluccas, Flores, Halmahera), the Philippines, and the Solomon Islands.

Blue Sapphire Damselfish are frequently found in small groups along with a similar yellow tailed damsel species over scattered patches corals on the outer coastal reef slopes at depths from 13 to over 100 feet.

Adult Blue Sapphire Damselfish prefer shallower sheltered lagoons and inshore coral reefs with sandy substrates and rich growths of Acropora corals.

Blue Sapphire Damselfish (Chrysiptera springeri)

Blue Sapphire Damselfish (Chrysiptera springeri) Solomon Is.,

Chrysiptera springeri originating within the Solomon Islands are an all blue form that have a brilliant blue body color, a clear tail, black outlined fins, and some scribbly markings on the head. This species is able to turn completely black when stressed, which allows them to evade predation.

A nearly black form of Blue Sapphire Damselfish with incredible blue markings and scribbles on the flank, a light

Blue Sapphire Damselfish (Chrysiptera springeri)

Blue Sapphire Damselfish (Chrysiptera springeri) Philippines

blue outline to the body and fins, and star like blue spots on the head from the Philippine and Molucca Islands also exists. This yet undescribed species is closely related to Chrysiptera springeri and is in the process of getting a name of its own.

Although males in breeding condition appear to have brighter colors, sexual dimorphism is difficult to distinguish with both forms.

Blue Sapphire Damselfish are a semi aggressive species that can be housed in a mature reef tank of at least 30 gallon capacity with a sand substrate, plenty of live rock arranged into crevices, holes, overhangs and caves for them to hide among, and growths of Acropora corals. They become aggressive with peaceful slow moving reef inhabitants but are reef safe with corals and invertebrates.   Adults become more territorial but can be housed with other more peaceful damsel species in a larger reef tank when introduced at the same time. In a large FOLR tank with plenty of live rock and swimming area, its advisable to keep either a single specimen, a proven pair, or a large odd numbered shoal of at least 9 or more juveniles. Smaller groups will suffer individual fatalities.

Although Chrysiptera springeri have not been bred in an aquarium environment; they are being bred on a small commercial scale basis.

Like Blue Velvet Damselfish (Paraglyphidodon oxyodon)   Blue Sapphire Damselfish form distinct pairs when spawning. Male damselfish typically establish a territory and prepare a cleaned surface of rubble or coral for females to deposit their adhesive, demersal eggs. Once the eggs are laid the male quickly fertilizes them and will aggressively defend them from any intruders. The fertilized eggs are aerated by the male until they are hatched out.  The tiny hatched larvae drift away with the current as plankton, feeding on the other zooplankton and phytoplankton until they eventually settle to the bottom.

In their natural environment, Springeri Damsels are omnivores that feed mainly on plankton and zooplankton in the water column, algae, and small benthic crustaceans.   In an aquarium environment with plenty of live rock; they thrive on a diet of frozen omnivore preparations, marine algae, brine shrimp, Krill, Mysis, omnivore flakes, and Zooplankton.   Springer’s Damsels are voracious eaters of Flatworms and are purchased by many tropical fish keeping enthusiasts to eliminate them from their reef tanks.   These damsels should be fed small portions three times per day.

Both forms of Blue Sapphire Damselfish (Chrysiptera cf. springeri) from the Solomon Islands and Indonesia are hardy, inexpensive, and not overly difficult to acquire from tropical fish shops and a plethora of online sources at approximate purchase sizes of 3/4″ to 1-1/2″. Both forms are currently being sold as (Chrysiptera springeri).

Blue Sapphire Damselfish (Chrysiptera springeri)

Blue Sapphire Damselfish (Chrysiptera springeri)

 

 

 

 

 

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Aquarium Type: Reef (With Caution) or FOLR
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi Aggressive
Aquarium Hardiness: Very Hardy
Water Conditions: 72-82°F, dKH 8 to 12 , pH 8.1 – 8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 2.3″
Color Form: Blue, Black
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: Reef
Origin: Indonesia, Philippines, Eastern Asia
Family: Pomacanthidae
Lifespan: 5 – 6 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner

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