Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
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Amblyglyphidodon

Amblyglyphidodon curacao

(Bloch, 1787)

Staghorn Damselfish

Likely Reef Tank Suitable

Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Malaysia to Samoa, north to Southern Japan and south to the Great Barrier Reef.

Size: 5 inches (12 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits lagoons and protected bays at depths between 3 to about 50 feet (1 – 15 m) and feeds on filamentous algae, copepods, worms, hydroids, crabs, shrimp, sponges, and small fishes.

General Husbandry: Rarely seen in the trade and somewhat drab. Has a yellowish body with several vertical darkish bands.

Hardy, and easily adapts to general aquarium life in reef or fish-only aquariums, preferably those with a good growth of algae. However, its a feisty species and should not be housed with timid tankmates.

As to diet, will 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: Amblyglyphidodon

FYI: May be maintained in small groups.

Captive bred species - yet ‘rarely’ available.

Experience Level: Beginner

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Diet: Omnivore

Coral Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: With caution

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Tankmates: Moderately aggressive

Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallons

Temperature Range: 74 - 84°F (23 – 28°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5

 Amblyglyphidodon curacao (Staghorn Damselfish)
Photo © David Cook
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