Ocellate damselfish
Pomacentrus vaiuli
A colorful and highly robust marine damselfish, ideal for reef aquariums. Displays a brilliant coloration but can exhibit typical territorial behavior as it matures.
Temperatura da água
23 - 28 °C
Valor de pH
8.1 - 8.4
Tipo de água
Marinho
Nível do tanque
Parte inferior e intermediária
Tamanho adulto
9 cm
Volume mínimo do tanque
>= 100 L
Grupo mínimo
>= 1
Descrição da espécie
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Widely distributed in the Western Pacific, from the Ryukyu Islands down to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Inhabits lagoon reefs and outer reef slopes rich in branching corals at depths from 1 to 15 meters.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Belongs to the family Pomacentridae. Body is oval and laterally compressed, reaching a maximum length of about 8-10 cm. Features a small terminal mouth adapted for picking small organisms and algae off rocks.
Social Behavior: Highly territorial and aggressive toward conspecifics and similarly shaped or colored species. Associated closely with specific coral formations which it defends vigorously from intruders, especially as it reaches adulthood.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Features a brilliant blue-purple coloration on the upper half of the body and orange-yellow on the lower half. A key identifying feature is a distinct blue-rimmed black eyespot (ocellus) on the rear dorsal fin. No obvious external sexual dimorphism.
Cuidado, criação e companheiros de tanque
Aquarium Setup: Requires an aquarium of at least 150 liters (40 gallons) for a single specimen or established pair. The tank should feature a live rock barrier with plenty of crevices, caves, and overhangs to allow the fish to claim a secure territory.
Diet and Feeding: Omnivorous and opportunistic in the aquarium. Easily accepts high-quality dry flake or pellet foods enriched with vitamins. Supplement regularly with frozen foods such as brine shrimp, mysis, copepods, and finely chopped shrimp.
Water Quality: Demands standard stable marine reef conditions: temperature 24-27°C, pH 8.1-8.4, specific gravity 1.022-1.025. Efficient filtration and regular partial water changes are highly recommended to keep nitrates low.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Suitable for community aquariums with tankmates of similar size or larger that possess robust temperaments (e.g., tangs, wrasses). Avoid slow or timid species. Completely reef-safe, posing no threat to corals or sessile invertebrates.
Aquarium Breeding: Can spawn in captivity. The pair deposits adhesive eggs on clean surfaces inside a cave or under a rock overhang. The male guards and actively fans the nest until hatching. Rearing the fry requires rotifers.
Risks and Diseases: Exceptionally hardy species. Can still contract Marine Ich or Marine Velvet under severe stress conditions. Preventative care consists of maintaining stable water quality and avoiding sudden temperature drops.
Origem e distribuição geográfica
Widely distributed in the Western Pacific, from the Ryukyu Islands down to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Inhabits lagoon reefs and outer reef slopes rich in branching corals at depths from 1 to 15 meters.
Origem
Oceanos tropicais e recifesSul e Sudeste AsiáticoLeste AsiáticoAustrália, Nova Guiné e Oceania
Perfil de peixe
- Temperamento
- Aggressive
- This fish is best described as spunky, bold, and highly territorial. Once the Pomacentrus vaiuli claims a specific cave or rock, it will vigorously defend it against fish much larger than itself. Despite its small size, its attitude commands respect from other tank inhabitants. Careful planning of tank mate introduction is required to manage its assertive personality.
- Dieta
- Omnivore
- This species is a highly adaptable omnivore that will aggressively consume almost any food offered. Its diet should consist of a varied mix of high-quality marine flakes, pellets, frozen mysis, and brine shrimp. It also benefits from the inclusion of algae-based foods or spirulina to round out its nutritional needs. In a mature reef, it will supplement its diet by picking at microfauna and algae on the rocks.
- Expectativa de vida
- 5-7 years
- Tamanho adulto
- 9 cm
- Proporção sexual
- Solitary
- Due to its territorial nature, it is strongly advised to keep only a single specimen per tank. Housing multiple individuals of the Pomacentrus vaiuli usually results in relentless fighting until only one remains. If a male-female pair naturally forms, they may tolerate each other, but this is difficult to guarantee. Only very large aquariums with massive amounts of rockwork can safely support more than one.
- Frequência de alimentação
- Twice daily
- Feeding the Pomacentrus vaiuli once or twice a day is perfectly sufficient for maintaining its health and vigor. It is an opportunistic feeder that will quickly rush to the surface at feeding time. Care should be taken to ensure that shyer tank mates receive their share, as this fish is very fast and competitive. Overfeeding is rarely necessary due to its rugged metabolism.
- Carga biológica
- Medium
- The Pomacentrus vaiuli has a relatively low to moderate bioload, making it suitable for a wide range of aquarium sizes. It is incredibly hardy and its waste output is easily managed by standard biological filtration. Even in smaller tanks, it rarely causes significant spikes in nitrates or phosphates. This resilience makes it a popular choice for both new setups and established reef systems.
- Fluxo
- Strong
- Pomacentrus vaiuli needs brisk, oxygen-rich circulation, with the strongest return flow spread through open water rather than aimed continuously at one refuge. Requires an aquarium of at least 150 liters (40 gallons) for a single specimen or established pair. The tank should feature a live rock barrier with plenty of crevices, caves, and overhangs to allow the fish to claim a secure territory. Keep solid cover available so the fish can leave the fastest water whenever it chooses.
- Risco de salto
- No
- Reprodução
- Oviparous
- In its natural habitat, the Pomacentrus vaiuli is a demersal spawner, laying adhesive eggs on hard substrates. The male takes on the responsibility of fiercely guarding the nest, becoming highly aggressive toward any approaching animals. Spawning in the home aquarium is somewhat common, though raising the microscopic fry is rarely successful without dedicated rearing tanks. The male's enhanced aggression during this period can cause temporary unrest in the aquarium.
- Compatibilidade e companheiros de tanque
- Semi-aggressive
- While generally considered reef-safe, the Pomacentrus vaiuli can exhibit semi-aggressive behavior towards its tank mates. It will not harm corals or mobile invertebrates, but it fiercely protects its chosen territory from other fish. It is best housed with fish of similar or slightly larger size and temperament. Avoid keeping it with overly timid species that could be easily stressed by its territorial displays.
- Nível do tanque
- Middle/Bottom
- The Pomacentrus vaiuli generally hovers in the lower to middle levels of the water column, staying relatively close to its claimed territory. It uses the rockwork as a central base of operations, darting out to feed or chase away intruders. It rarely swims extensively in the open upper water, preferring the security of nearby crevices. Its strong association with the substrate defines its daily behavior.
Modelos e parâmetros científicos
FishBase
Acesso aos dados científicos oficiais da espécie
FishBase v25.04Dados sincronizados em: 15/06/2026
- Nível trófico
- 3,1 ± 0,33 se
- Resiliência
- Alta (menos de 15 meses)
- Unicidade filogenética (PD50)
- 0.5
- Relação bayesiana comprimento-peso
- a = 0.0263, b = 2.9
- VulnerabilidadeVulnerabilidade baixa (10 / 100)
Espécies relacionadas
Recomendações agrupadas por parentes próximos, escolhas de acompanhantes e cuidados semelhantes.
