All fish / Pomacentridae

Allen's Damselfish

Pomacentrus alleni

Also known as allen's damsel, andaman damsel, neon damsel, allen damsel, blue allen's damsel, alleni damsel, ปลาสลิดหินอัลเลน, アレンズ・ダムゼル, betok laut biru, 艾伦氏雀鲷, 安达曼雀鲷

A small, bright electric blue damselfish with a black edge to the fins and a yellow or pale lower tail fin. It is hardy, colourful and reef safe, which makes it a popular choice for beginners and community reef tanks. It is considered one of the less aggressive members of its genus.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

6 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

110 litres

Keep as

Singly, or as a group of 3 to 5 in a larger tank

Diet

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

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 10 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Eastern Indian Ocean: Andaman Sea, Thailand, Myanmar, western Indonesia

Breeding

Pairs lay sticky eggs on a cleaned hard surface, and the male guards them until they hatch after a few days. Spawning happens in captivity, but rearing the tiny pelagic larvae needs rotifers and copepods and is difficult.

Good to know

Like most damsels it can become territorial with age, so add it after more timid fish. Do not confuse it with the very similar but more aggressive Pomacentrus coelestis or Chrysiptera species.