Sapphire Damselfish (Pomacentrus pavo) is a bright blue damselfish of shallow lagoons, reef flats, and coral-rich coastal habitat.
See Sapphire Damselfish clearly
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Responsible care profile
Provide several separated reef refuges and add this territorial damselfish after peaceful fishes; do not plan compatibility from juvenile colour or size.
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
- 3.3 in (8.5 cm) · standard length, excluding tail
- 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 bright blue damselfish of shallow lagoons, reef flats, and coral-rich coastal habitat. Its documented range includes Indo-Pacific, Western Pacific, Oceania.
Feeding and Ecological Role
Feeds on plankton, filamentous algae, and small benthic organisms.
Conservation and Responsible Sourcing
Protect shallow coral habitat and verify lawful 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 pavo ↗Scientific fish database
- World Register of Marine Species — Pomacentrus pavo ↗Taxonomic authority