Pomacentrus moluccensis

Bleeker, 1853

Lemon Damselfish

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Andaman Sea east to Fiji and Tonga, north to Southern Japan and south to New Caledonia.

Size: 3 inches (7 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits fringing reefs, lagoon patch reefs, and outer reef faces at depths between 3 to about 50 feet (1 – 15 m) and mainly feeds on filamentous algae and somewhat on benthic invertebrates.

General Husbandry: Occasionally seen in the trade and quite attractive having a pale yellowish body, with all fins also a pale yellow.

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

Somewhat shy, and needs hiding places.

As to diet, plant material (its main food in the wild), e.g., flake foods, especially those containing Spirulina and Nori, along with 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., should be offered once or twice daily.

Taxonomy:

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Labroidei

Family: Pomacentridae

Subfamily: Pomacentrinae

Genus: Pomacentrus

FYI: In small aquariums, will annoy peaceful tankmates

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: Peaceful

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

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

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5