All fish / Pomacentridae

Black and Gold Chromis

Neoglyphidodon nigroris

Also known as behn's damsel, black and gold damsel, black-and-gold damselfish, yellow-tail black damsel, neoglyphidodon black and gold, behn's damselfish, ミナミイソスズメダイ, betok hitam kuning, 黑金雀鲷, 黑褐新箭齿雀鲷

Juveniles are bright yellow with two bold black horizontal stripes, while adults darken to a dusky brown or black body with yellow on the tail and rear fins. It is kept for its striking juvenile colouring and its toughness in marine and reef aquariums.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

11 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

Keep singly in most community reef tanks

Diet

Omnivore: mysis, brine shrimp, marine flakes and pellets, plus algae-based foods

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 10 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Eastern Indian Ocean and Western Pacific: Andaman Sea and Indonesia to the Philippines, Vanuatu and northern Australia

Breeding

It spawns on hard surfaces, laying sticky eggs that the male guards until they hatch. Captive breeding is rarely achieved because the tiny pelagic larvae are difficult to rear.

Good to know

The pretty yellow juvenile colours fade as it matures, and adults become territorial and aggressive towards smaller or similar fish. It is reef safe with corals but needs plenty of rockwork and robust tankmates.