Neon Damsel - Pomacentrus coelestis

Neon Damsel (Pomacentrus coelestis)

The Neon Damsel is a bright, hardy and active marine damselfish with an electric neon-blue body, yellowish tail and blue to yellow tones through the lower fins depending on locality, age and lighting. Also known as the Neon Damselfish, Blue Damsel or Yellow-Bellied Damsel, this species is a colourful reef-associated fish that can work well in suitable marine aquariums. Like most damsels, it can become territorial as it matures, so it is best kept in a mature system with live rock, hiding places and carefully chosen tank mates.

Common Name:
Neon Damsel. Also commonly referred to as the Neon Damselfish, Blue Damsel, Yellow-Bellied Damsel or Yellow Belly Damsel.

Scientific Name (Latin):
Pomacentrus coelestis

Maximum Size:
Around 8–9 cm, making it a small to medium-sized damselfish.

Water Type:
Marine.

Origin / Natural Habitat:
Widespread across the Eastern Indian Ocean and Western to Central Pacific, including Sri Lanka, Indonesia, the Philippines, southern Japan, Australia, Fiji, Tonga and surrounding reef regions. In the wild, adults are found around lagoon reefs, seaward reefs and rubble beds, while juveniles are often seen schooling around soft corals.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–27°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Salinity: 1.020–1.025 SG

Temperament:
Semi-aggressive. Juveniles are often manageable, but adults may become territorial, especially towards other damsels, similar-sized fish or newly introduced tank mates. Best kept in an aquarium with enough rockwork and territory breaks.

Diet:
Omnivorous plankton feeder. In the wild it feeds mainly on zooplankton, with some benthic algae. In the aquarium it should be offered a varied diet including quality marine flakes, small pellets, frozen mysis, brineshrimp, cyclops, copepods, finely chopped marine foods and spirulina or algae-based foods.

Minimum Tank Size:
A practical recommendation is at least 120 litres for a single specimen, with larger aquariums preferred if keeping multiple damsels or a busy mixed reef community.

Behaviour & Activity:
This is an active reef fish that spends much of the day swimming around rockwork, rubble areas and open water close to shelter. Juveniles may school, while adults are more often seen in small groups or loose aggregations over suitable reef areas. In the aquarium it may choose a preferred section of rockwork and defend it, especially once fully settled.

Reef Safe:
Reef Safe
This species is generally considered safe with corals and most common reef invertebrates. The main consideration is territorial behaviour towards other fish rather than coral damage. As with many damsels, very small benthic invertebrates may be picked at opportunistically, so delicate invert-heavy setups should still be monitored.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept in a mature marine aquarium with stable water quality, good oxygenation, live rock, caves and open swimming space. It is hardy once settled, but should still be introduced to a properly cycled aquarium. Avoid adding it early to a small peaceful reef if you plan to introduce very timid fish later, as established damsels can become difficult to remove and may defend their territory strongly.

Suitable for:
Beginner to intermediate marine fishkeepers

Availability:
Occasional in trade

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.