Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
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Pomacentrus

Pomacentrus auriventris

Allen 1991

Goldbelly Damselfish

Likely Reef Tank Suitable

Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Christmas Island east to Bali, Flores and Moluccas, Indonesia, north to Borneo and Palau.

Size: 3 inches (7 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits inner reef slopes having rubble, coral and algae at depths between 6 to about 100 feet (2 – 30 m) and feed mainly on zooplankton, benthic invertebrates and algae.

General Husbandry: Commonaly seen in the trade and quite attractive, this hardy species has a bright blue body with yellow on the belly, caudal peduncle and tail.

Best maintained in aquaria having live rock with growths of various forms of algae.

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 offered once or twice daily.

Taxonomy:

    Order: Perciformes

    Suborder: Labroidei

    Family: Pomacentridae

    Subfamily: Pomacentrinae

    Genus: Pomacentrus

FYI: Can be maintained in small groups of at least five to seven members when juveniles, however, become aggressive to each other and peaceful tankmates as they move into adulthood.

Becomes quite drab if underfed or has poor water quality.

Experience Level: Beginner

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Diet: Zooplanktivore/Omnivore

Coral Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: With caution

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Tankmates: Semi-aggressive

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

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

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5

 Pomacentrus auriventris (Goldbelly Damselfish)
Photo © John Randall
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Polyp Lab