Blue Velvet Damsel

Paraglyphidodon oxyodon is known under many different names in English, including Blue Velvet Damsel Fish, Blue Velvet Damselfish, Neon Velvet Damsel Fish, Bluevelvet Damselfish, Neon Velvet Damselfish, Javanese Damsel Fish, Javanese Damselfish, Blue-Streak Damsel Fish, Blue-Streak Damselfish, Blue-Streak Devil, Blue-banded Damselfish, Blue-banded Damsel fish, Bluebanded Damselfish, and Bluebanded Damsel Fish. 

Paraglyphidodon oxyodon has not been evaluated for the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Geographical range, habitat and habits

Blue Velvet Damsel Fish is found in the Western Central Pacific. It lives in the Indo-Australian archipelago, including Indonesia, the Philippines and the Ashmore Reef.

Blue Velvet Damsel Fish inhabits protected reef flats of lagoons and inshore reefs. It prefers current swept reef flats a few meters down. The depth range for this species is 0-4 meters / 0-13 feet.

The Blue Velvet Damsel Fish forms loose groups of varying size.

Size and appearance

The largest scientifically measured Blue Velvet Damsel Fish was 15.0 cm / 5.9 in.

The juvenile fish is decorated with one prominent white vertical stripe and small brilliant blue streaks. As it becomes an adult, it will typically loose most of its brilliant striping and fade to black and brown.

Blue Velvet Damsel Fish care             

It is not advisable to house Blue Velvet Damsel Fish in aquariums smaller than 30 gallons / 115 liters. The fish should have access to suitable hiding spots as well as plenty of open water for swimming. It is considered reef safe.

The Blue Velvet Damsel Fish is a hardy species, but you should keep in mind that it is also territorial and quite aggressive. It is not recommended for peaceful community aquariums. Older specimens can be really aggressive and it is safest to keep such individuals alone or in compatible pairs.

Keep the water temperature in the 72-78° F / 22-25.5° C range, the pH-value at 8.1-8.4, and the specific gravity between 1.020 and 1.025.  

Feeding Blue Velvet Damsel Fish

The Blue Velvet Damselfish is and omnivore species that must be given both meaty food and green food in the aquarium. It is not a finicky eater and will typically accept live, fresh, frozen, and dry food. You can for instance combine brine shrimp and similar meaty foods with vegetables and flake food.  

Breeding Blue Velvet Damsel Fish

This is an egg-laying species.

The male fish will establish a territory and start cleaning a rocky ledge or coral surface. The male fish will court the female and encourage her to swim to the cleaned spot. During the actual spawning, the female will deposit her eggs and they will be promptly fertilized by the male. Courtship and spawning will typically take less than 20 minutes. Each female can deposit up to 20,000 tiny eggs per spawning.  Some males may breed with several females. 

After spawning, the male will guard the spawning site and tend to the eggs. He will use his fins to fan fresh water over the eggs and he will also remove any egg that fails to develop. During the breeding period, the male will tirelessly defend the eggs, even against fishes that are much larger than him. The eggs will typically hatch after 3-7 days and the tiny fry will feed on plankton.

Damsel Species Articles

Green Chromis
Blue Green Chromis
Blue Devil
Yellowtail Damsel
Fiji Blue Devil
Striped Damsel
Blacktail Damsel
Domino Damsel

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