Neon damselfish
Pomacentrus coelestis
Also known as Neon Damsel, Neon Blue Damsel, Electric Blue Damsel, Heavenly Damselfish
SaltwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–81°F
- 24–27°C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 3.5 in
- 9 cm
- Minimum tank
- 29 gal
- 110 L
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Social behavior
- Social
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Common
- Reef safe
- Reef safe
- Family
- Pomacentridae
- Origin
- Indo-West Pacific from the eastern Indian Ocean to the western Pacific, over rubble and reef flats in loose aggregations.
Overview
The neon damselfish is a brilliant, intensely colored damsel, often with a yellow tail. It is hardy, cheap and easy to keep.
Did you know
The neon damselfish's electric blue is a structural color. It comes from the way its skin bends light, not from any blue pigment.
Caring for the neon damselfish
Give a neon damselfish a tank of at least 29 gal (110 L), with rock territories. It is reef safe and leaves corals and invertebrates alone.
Keep the water at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C), with a pH of 8.1 to 8.4. Feed flake, pellets and frozen foods.
Like most Pomacentrus, it is scrappy and territorial in a tank, and it is aggressive toward other fish. Choose tank mates that can hold their own, and add it late. In a large tank with lots of rock, a small group can work, though fighting is common. Breeding neon damselfish takes some experience.
Good to know
The neon damselfish, Pomacentrus coelestis, belongs to the damselfish family Pomacentridae. It is a different fish from Allen's damsel, which also carries the neon damsel trade name. Shops also sell it as the neon blue damsel, the electric blue damsel or the heavenly damselfish.
In the wild
The neon damselfish ranges across the Indo-West Pacific, from the eastern Indian Ocean to the western Pacific. It gathers in loose groups over rubble and reef flats. Wild fish hover in the water column, picking plankton and algae.
Common questions
What size tank does a neon damselfish need?
A neon damselfish needs at least 29 gal (110 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a neon damselfish need?
A neon damselfish is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
What does a neon damselfish eat?
A neon damselfish eats flake, pellets and frozen foods.
How big does a neon damselfish get?
An adult neon damselfish reaches about 3.5 in (9 cm).
Related species
3.5 in (9 cm)29 gal (110 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Lemon damsel
Pomacentrus moluccensis
3.5 in (9 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)
3.3 in (8.5 cm)29 gal (110 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Sapphire damsel
Pomacentrus pavo
3.3 in (8.5 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)
2.4 in (6 cm)29 gal (110 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Allen's damsel
Pomacentrus alleni
2.4 in (6 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)
3.5 in (9 cm)29 gal (110 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Three-stripe damsel
Dascyllus aruanus
3.5 in (9 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)
3.1 in (8 cm)29 gal (110 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Blue damsel
Chrysiptera cyanea
3.1 in (8 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)
3.1 in (8 cm)29 gal (110 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Fiji blue devil damsel
Chrysiptera taupou
3.1 in (8 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)