All fish / Pomacentridae

Ambon Damselfish

Pomacentrus amboinensis

Also known as ambon damsel, ambon damselfish, yellow ambon damsel, lemon damsel, ambon yellow damsel, アンボンスズメダイ, betok laut, 安汶雀鲷

A hardy damselfish that is usually lemon yellow, often with a faint lilac or blue sheen on the head and a dark eye spot at the rear of the dorsal fin. It is kept for its bright colour, toughness and low price, and it suits reef tanks because it leaves corals alone.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

9 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

120 litres

Keep as

Singly, or one per tank unless the tank is large

Diet

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

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 10 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Pacific: Indonesia to Philippines, New Guinea, northern Australia, Vanuatu and New Caledonia

Breeding

Pairs lay sticky eggs on a cleaned hard surface, which the male guards until they hatch after a few days. Spawning happens in aquariums, but rearing the tiny planktonic larvae requires live rotifers and is difficult.

Good to know

Becomes territorial as it matures and can bully smaller or more peaceful fish, so add it last. The seller's label looks like a broken citation code, so check the species before buying because it can be confused with other yellow damsels.