Speckled Damsel - Pomacentrus bankanensis

Speckled Damsel (Pomacentrus bankanensis)

The Speckled Damsel is a hardy and active marine damselfish from the Western Pacific, known for its attractive juvenile colouration and confident reef behaviour. Young fish can show burnt orange to brown tones with fine blue striping and a dark eyespot near the rear of the dorsal fin, while adults usually become darker and more subdued with age. This is a tough, adaptable aquarium fish, but like many damsels it can become territorial as it matures, so it is best suited to a well-structured marine aquarium with plenty of live rock and carefully chosen tank mates.

Common Name:
Speckled Damsel. Also commonly referred to as the Speckled Damselfish or Fire Damsel.

Scientific Name (Latin):
Pomacentrus bankanensis

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

Water Type:
Marine.

Origin / Natural Habitat:
Found across the Western Pacific, from Christmas Island in the eastern Indian Ocean through to Fiji, southern Japan, New Caledonia, parts of Australia and nearby reef regions. In the wild it occurs singly or in small groups around lagoons, reef flats, reef passages and outer reef slopes, usually close to coarse rubble, rock and coral reef structure.

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

Temperament:
Semi-aggressive to aggressive. Juveniles are usually manageable, but adults can become territorial, especially towards similar-sized fish, other damsels or newly introduced tank mates. Best added with care to a suitably sized aquarium with rockwork and territory breaks.

Diet:
Omnivorous. In the wild it feeds mainly on small planktonic foods such as copepods, isopods and pelagic tunicates, with some algae taken opportunistically. 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 it with other territorial marine fish. Some trade references suggest 200 litres or more for more stable long-term community care.

Behaviour & Activity:
This is an active reef-associated fish that spends much of the day swimming around rockwork, rubble and open areas close to shelter. It may establish a territory and defend it from approaching fish. In larger aquariums, juveniles may be kept in groups, but adults can become more aggressive with age, so long-term stocking should be planned carefully.

Reef Safe:
Reef Safe
This species is generally considered safe with corals and most common reef invertebrates. The main consideration in a reef aquarium is territorial behaviour towards other fish rather than coral damage. Some trade guidance notes that Pomacentrus damsels may pick at small benthic invertebrates, so very delicate invertebrate 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 plenty of hiding places. It is a hardy species once settled, but should still be introduced to a properly cycled aquarium. Because it can become difficult to remove after establishing territory, avoid adding it early to a small peaceful reef if you plan to keep very timid fish later.

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.