Golden damselfish
Amblyglyphidodon aureus
Also known as Golden Damsel, Yellow Damsel, Aureus Damsel, Golden Demoiselle
SaltwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–81°F
- 24–27°C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 4.7 in
- 12 cm
- Minimum tank
- 53 gal
- 200 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- Substrate spawner · Medium
- Rarity
- Common
- Reef safe
- Reef safe
- Family
- Pomacentridae
- Origin
- Indo-West Pacific from the eastern Indian Ocean to the western Pacific, on steep outer reef slopes with current.
Overview
The golden damselfish is a hardy, solid golden-yellow damsel for a large reef tank. It is easy to keep.
Did you know
The golden damselfish is a good deal larger and more of a mid-water fish than most reef damsels. It feeds largely on zooplankton picked from the water, rather than grazing a rock territory.
Caring for the golden damselfish
Give golden damselfish a tank of at least 53 gal (200 L), with open water and some flow. They are reef safe. Keep the water at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) and a pH of 8.1 to 8.4. Feed flake, pellets and frozen mysis or brine shrimp several times a day.
A golden damselfish is peaceful while young but gets feistier and more assertive as it grows, so watch it with timid tank mates. A small group can work in a large tank.
A breeding pair may strip the living tissue from a patch of soft coral or sea whip and lay its eggs on the bare surface. Breeding them takes some experience.
Good to know
The golden damselfish, Amblyglyphidodon aureus, belongs to the damselfish family Pomacentridae. It holds its bright yellow well. Shops also sell it as the golden damsel, the yellow damsel, the aureus damsel or the golden demoiselle.
In the wild
The golden damselfish lives across the Indo-West Pacific, from the eastern Indian Ocean to the western Pacific. It hovers in the current along steep outer reef slopes, often near gorgonians and wire corals.
Common questions
What size tank does a golden damselfish need?
A golden damselfish needs at least 53 gal (200 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a golden damselfish need?
A golden damselfish is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
What does a golden damselfish eat?
A golden damselfish eats flake, pellets and frozen mysis or brine shrimp. Feed it several times a day.
How big does a golden damselfish get?
An adult golden damselfish reaches about 4.7 in (12 cm).
How does a golden damselfish breed?
A golden damselfish pair may strip the living tissue from a patch of soft coral or sea whip. The pair then lays its eggs on the bare surface. Breeding golden damselfish takes some experience.
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