Ambon Damselfish (Pomacentrus amboinensis) is a shallow lagoon and reef-flat damselfish associated with branching corals, rubble, and sandy reef margins.
See Ambon Damselfish clearly
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Responsible care profile
Plan around its defended coral-associated territory and adult social behaviour; a compatible pair is not created by simply adding two juveniles.
The structured record includes multiple references and at least one dedicated aquarium-care source.
3 referenced sources- Care level
- Intermediate
- Minimum volume
- 50.2 US gal (190 L)
- Preferred volume
- 75.3 US gal (285 L)
- Adult size
- 3.5 in (9 cm) · total length
- Reef compatibility
- Reef-Safe with Caution
- Temperament
- Territorial damselfish
- Social plan
- single specimen or deliberately planned pair
- Minimum footprint
- 190 L reef with multiple territories
Water
- Temperature
- 75.2–82.4 °F (24–28 °C)
- Salinity / specific gravity
- 1.023–1.026 SG
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
Habitat
multiple visual barriers; several separate retreat sites; open feeding and swimming space.
A defended cave or coral-adjacent refuge that does not monopolize the whole aquarium.
Light: Match the verified source habitat and any living-coral association.
Flow: Moderate to strong oxygenated flow with sheltered territory.
Secure lid required.
Feeding
omnivore, planktivore, and benthic grazer in species-specific proportions · Two or three varied marine feedings daily. · Food options: small marine omnivore pellets, algae-rich marine food, mysis, copepods, marine plankton · Maintain dietary variety and do not assume territorial algae farming replaces feeding.
Compatibility
Plan around the adult defended territory, not juvenile body size.
Avoid or assess carefully: very timid fish, crowded small reefs, unplanned groups of similar damselfishes.
What the evidence establishes
Field-level source review. Aquarium recommendations remain husbandry guidance, not experimentally validated limits.
- Reported maximum body size with measurement type
Acclimation and quarantine
Use a covered acclimation box and add only after weaker tankmates have secure territories.
Stocking safeguards
Aquarium setting: Home aquarium. Starvation risk: low.
After peaceful tankmates have established refuge; add the damselfish late.
- No cramped single-territory aquarium
- No timid unprotected tankmates
- No unplanned conspecific group
- No uncovered aquarium
Special risks
- Escalating territorial aggression
- Bullying of timid fish
- Coral association or grazing impact
- Jumping during conflict
Husbandry Findings and Limits
These findings explain what the cited evidence supports. Facility precautions are identified separately from tested captive outcomes.
Documented aquarium husbandry — Documented keeping guidance; not a controlled trial
Feeding: omnivore, planktivore, and benthic grazer in species-specific proportions. Two or three varied marine feedings daily. Food options: small marine omnivore pellets, algae-rich marine food, mysis, copepods, marine plankton. A defended cave or coral-adjacent refuge that does not monopolize the whole aquarium. Water movement: Moderate to strong oxygenated flow with sheltered territory. Lighting: Match the verified source habitat and any living-coral association. Plan around the adult defended territory, not juvenile body size. Use a covered acclimation box and add only after weaker tankmates have secure territories.
Scope and remaining limit: Species-matched author guidance is available; it is not a controlled lifetime trial.
Sources: TFH — Damselfish aggression, social and aquarium careHabitat and Distribution
A shallow lagoon and reef-flat damselfish associated with branching corals, rubble, and sandy reef margins. Its documented range includes Indo-West Pacific, Southeast Asia, Great Barrier Reef.
Feeding and Ecological Role
Feeds on zooplankton, algae, and small bottom-associated invertebrates.
Conservation and Responsible Sourcing
Protect shallow nursery habitat and document collection origin. Verify legal origin, collection method, and current trade requirements before acquisition.
A living record
Source-governed foundation profile. Accepted taxonomy and ecological context are reconciled to FishBase and WoRMS. Media identity follows the authoritative Wikimedia Commons record; ambiguous images remain at genus or family level rather than being assigned from appearance. Public content last reviewed September 19, 2026.
- FishBase — Pomacentrus amboinensis ↗Scientific fish database
- World Register of Marine Species — Pomacentrus amboinensis ↗Taxonomic authority