Goldbelly Damsel

Family: PomacentridaePomacentrus auriventrisPhoto © Animal-World courtesy David Brough

   A gorgeous fish, the Goldbelly Damsel is hardy and easily maintained in the marine aquarium.

  Very similar to the Neon Damsel, P. coelestis, except the Goldbelly Damsel is yellow on the lower half of the body.

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Marine Aquarium

Habitat: Natural geographic location:    The Golden Damsel is found in the Western Central Pacific from Mircronesia to Indonesia. Reported from Christmas Island and Caroline Islands. They are usually found in small groups at depths between 6 - 49 feet (2 - 15 meters). They inhabit inner reef slopes with mixed rubble, coral and algae, and other aggregates close to the bottom.

Status:    These fish are not listed on the IUCN Red List.

Maintenance difficulty:    The Goldbelly Damsel is among the easiest of all marine fish to keep. It can be recommended for beginners.

Maintenance:    This fish will readily eat all kinds of live, frozen, and flake foods and algae. Finely chopped meaty foods (like brine shrimp) can be fed regularly. It is best to feed small amounts several times a day.

Foods:    All kinds. See maintenance above.

Social Behaviors:    Like all damselfish, they can be territorial and aggressive, especially as they get older. They can be kept together and with other larger fish, but watch them closely to be sure their aggression doesn't become destructive.

Sex: Sexual differences:    Not Known.

Light: Recommended light levels:    No special requirements.

Breeding/Reproduction:    Some of the damselfish have been bred in captivity. See general breeding techniques under Clownfish on the marine breeding page.

Temperature:    No special requirements.

Length/Diameter of fish:    Goldbelly damsel adults can grow to 5.5 cm ( 2 inches).

Minimum Tank Length/Size:    A minimum 20 gallon aquarium is recommended.

Water Movement: Weak, Moderate, Strong    No special requirements.

Photo © Animal-World

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom    Swims at all levels of the aquarium.

Availability:    This fish is sometimes available and is moderately expensive for a damsel.
Average price - $7.50

Lastest Animal Stories on Goldbelly Damsel View all 2 Animal Stories on Goldbelly Damsel Add Your Animal Story

Bill and Alyssa - 2006-03-31 We had a Yellowbelly Damselfish as part of our starter fish, and it did well up till about five days ago. We got a Undalated Triggerfish FREE from a friend that works at Petco, and for a week and a half all was good. All of our Damselfish had let the Triggerfish know it was there tank, but the Yellowbelly took things to the extreme, so now it's at the Petco looking for a new home. It really tore up the Blue Damselfish, and the Triggerfish. We don't suggest keeping one unless you have it in a species only nano tank all on it's own. So much for so far so good as we had writen in our Undalated Triggerfish comment. Now we have an 80 gallon medic tank caused by one PHSYCO little Damselfish w/ a bad additude, and everyone thinks the Undalated Triggerfish is mean. It was like Pee-Wee Herman beatin' up Mike Tyson in our tank. Reply

Danny - 2006-01-18 I just bought 3 of these last week. Found that they work well with other damsels but not with their own kind so well. I had to seperate all 3 because they locked mouths fighting but ignored other breeds so far. Too soon to tell. Not as hardy as most damsels. But definitely very pretty. I would recomend just one per 25 gallons. Reply

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