Neon Blue Damsel - (No Online Purchases)

The Neon Damselfish, Pomacentrus coelestis, is a vibrant and popular species in the aquarium trade, known for its striking coloration and active nature.

Here's a breakdown of its characteristics, habitat, and care:

Characteristics:

• Appearance: They are predominantly bright, iridescent electric blue on their head and upper body, transitioning to a pale or bright yellow on their anal and tail fins. The amount of yellow can vary considerably between individuals.
• Size: They typically grow to a maximum length of 7-9 cm (2.75-3.5 inches).
• Temperament: They are considered semi-aggressive, especially towards other damselfishes and similarly sized tankmates. They can be territorial, particularly if kept in smaller tanks or in groups without sufficient space and hiding spots.
• Lifespan: With proper care, they can live for 5-8 years in captivity.

Habitat and Distribution:

• Natural Range: Pomacentrus coelestis is widely distributed throughout the Indo-Pacific region, including the eastern Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia, and the western and central Pacific Ocean (from Sri Lanka to the Line and Tuamoto islands, north to southern Japan, and south to Rowley Shoals and Lord Howe Island).
• Preferred Environment: They are reef-associated fish, typically found in calm lagoons and seaward-facing slopes of outer reefs. They inhabit coral rubble beds and reef crevices at depths of 1-20 meters (3.3-65.6 ft).
• Social Behavior in the Wild: Juveniles often school among soft corals, while adults can be found in small groups or large aggregations over favorable sections of the reef.

Diet and Feeding:

• Omnivorous: In the wild, their diet consists of zooplankton and benthic algae gleaned from coral rubble.
• Aquarium Diet: In captivity, they are not picky eaters and will readily accept a varied diet. This should include:
  • High-quality marine flakes and pellets.
  • Frozen foods like mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and crushed krill.
  • Spirulina-based foods.
  • Occasional chopped seafood for variety.
  • They will also graze on algae from live rock.
• Feeding Frequency: Feeding 1-2 times daily, or 2-3 small meals per day, can help reduce territorial aggressiveness related to food competition.

Aquarium Care:

• Tank Size: A minimum of 30 gallons is recommended for a single Neon Damselfish. If keeping multiples, a larger tank (ideally 55+ gallons) is advised, providing ample space to break up sight lines and reduce territorial disputes.
• Water Parameters:
  • Temperature: 22-28°C (72-82°F)
  • pH: 8.1-8.4
  • Salinity: 1.020-1.025 specific gravity
  • Hardness (KH): 8-12 dKH
• Aquascaping: Provide plenty of live rock, caves, and coral branches to offer hiding places and territories. This also provides some natural grazing opportunities for algae.
• Reef Safe: Yes, they are generally considered reef-safe and won't harm corals or invertebrates.
• Compatibility:
  • Best kept singly or in odd-numbered groups in large tanks with plenty of hiding places.
  • Avoid pairing with very timid fish, as their active and semi-aggressive nature might stress them.
  • Generally compatible with clownfish, wrasses, gobies, blennies, and cleaner shrimp.
  • Can be kept with dwarf angelfish and larger angelfish.
  • Caution should be exercised when housing them with other damselfish, especially those of similar coloration.
  • Not suitable for tanks with slow swimmers like seahorses and pipefish, as they may outcompete them for food.
  • Avoid keeping them with large predatory fish like scorpionfish, lionfish, eels, sharks, or snappers, as the damselfish will become prey.
• Maintenance: Regular water tests and consistent water quality are crucial. Perform weekly water changes of 10-15%.

Breeding:

• Pomacentrus coelestis are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs. Distinct pairing occurs during breeding.
• Eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate, often deposited among coral rubble or in burrows (e.g., those bored by sea urchins).
• The male parent guards and aerates the eggs.
• Spawning often occurs from June to August in their natural habitat.
• While they have been observed breeding in the wild and studies have focused on their reproductive behavior, captive breeding is considered rare.