Amblypomacentrus brevicepa

(Schlegel & Muller, 1839)

Blackbanded Damsel

Range: Central Pacific Ocean: East Indies, Philippines, New Guinea, New Britain, Solomon Islands, and Egum Atoll (Solomon Sea).

Size: 3 inches (8 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits sandy or silty areas around outcrops of rubble in shallow lagoons and coastal reefs at depths between 6 to about 100 feet (2 – 30 m) and feeds on zooplankton.

General Husbandry: Somewhat uncommon in the trade, basically having a whitish body with a black band through the eyes, two vertical half-hieght black bands on the body and sometimes seen with a black spot on the caudal peduncle.

Little aquarium husbandry exists for this species, and even thought the only species in this genus it should be similar to others in this family and should easily adapt to general aquarium life in reef or fish-only aquariums. Nevertheless, may well be feisty and therefore, should not be housed with timid tankmates, as is the rule with many others in this family

As to diet, would probably eat most regular aquarium foods, e.g., live fortified brine shrimp and/or finely chopped various frozen or fresh meaty foods such as mysis, squid, fish flesh, shrimp, clam, etc., and plant material, e.g., flake foods, especially those containing Spirulina and should be offered several times daily.

Taxonomy:

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Labroidei

Family: Pomacentridae

Subfamily: Pomacentrinae

Genus: Amblypomacentrus

FYI: Best maintained in small groups, yet not with peaceful tankmates.

Experience Level: Beginner

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Diet: Omnivore

Coral Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: Yes

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Tankmates: Moderately aggressive

Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallons

Temperature Range: 72 - 84°F (22 – 28°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5