Pomacentrus caeruleus

Quoy & Gaimard, 1825

Caerulean Damselfish

Range: Western Indian Ocean: East Africa to the Maldive Islands.

Size: 3 inches (8 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits lagoons and outer reef slopes at depths between 3 to about 80 feet (1 – 20 m) and feeds on zooplankton, benthic invertebrates and somewhat on algae.

General Husbandry: Quite attractive and rarely seen in the trade with a bright blue body having a little yellow on the bottom most belly, and the caudal peduncle, pelvic, dorsal, anal and tail fins

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 peaceful tankmates as they move into adulthood.

Very territorial towards other species damsels in the system.

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