All fish / Pomacentridae

Sapphire Damselfish

Pomacentrus pavo

Also known as sapphire damsel, blue damsel, peacock damsel, azure damsel, blue damselfish, sapphire devil, ルリホシスズメダイ, betok biru, 孔雀雀鲷, 蓝雀鲷

A small, bright greenish-blue damselfish with a dark spot behind the gill cover and a pale yellowish tail. It is hardy, cheap and colourful, so it is often kept in community reef and fish-only tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

8 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 or more in a larger tank

Diet

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

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 10 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Indo-West Pacific: East Africa and Red Sea to Tuamotus, north to Ryukyus, south to Great Barrier Reef

Breeding

Pairs lay sticky eggs on a cleaned hard surface, and the male guards them until they hatch. Spawning happens in aquariums, but rearing the tiny pelagic larvae is difficult.

Good to know

Less aggressive than many damsels but can become territorial as it ages, so add it after more timid fish. The trade label "Yes[49]: 215" is a data error, not a real name.