Neoglyphidodon bonang

Lore & Background

This species of damselfish is native to the Indo-Pacific. In the Indian Ocean, they are found from Sri Lanka, Indonesia around Sumatra and Java, and Australia. In the Pacific Ocean, its range extends from Sulawesi in Indonesia to the Solomon Islands. They inhabit coral reefs at depths from 1 to 20 metres.

Adults can grow up to a maximum length of 13.5 centimetres. They have 13 dorsal spines, 15 to 16 dorsal soft rays, 2 anal spines, and 13 to 15 anal soft rays. Like most species of the genus Neoglyphidodon, juveniles and adults have different colouration. Adults are black. Juveniles are orange or yellow with a black spot around their dorsal fin, surrounded by a blue circle, and usually a blue pattern of lines extending from the eye toward the black spot.

This fish is omnivorous. Females lay their eggs on the bottom of the seafloor, and males guard and aerate the eggs until they hatch.

Reader's Guide

Neoglyphidodon bonang is a damselfish species found in the aquarium trade, valued for its striking color change from orange or yellow juveniles with blue markings to solid black adults. Its omnivorous diet and relatively small maximum size of 13.5 cm make it suitable for captive reef systems. The species inhabits coral reefs across a broad Indo-Pacific range, from Sri Lanka and Indonesia to the Solomon Islands, at depths up to 20 metres. Its reproductive behavior involves females laying eggs on the seafloor, with males providing parental care by guarding and aerating the eggs until hatching. The fish's presence in the aquarium trade highlights its appeal to hobbyists, though the article provides no further details on captive care or conservation status.

Did You Know?

• Adults are black, while juveniles are orange or yellow with a blue-ringed black spot on the dorsal fin.
• This species can grow up to 13.5 cm in length.
• It is found in the aquarium trade.