Neoglyphidodon oxyodon
A rarely bred, expensive damselfish from western Pacific coral reefs.
Neoglyphidodon oxyodon, also called the neon velvet damselfish, belongs to the Pomacentridae family. It lives in the Pacific Ocean and appears in the aquarium trade, though it is uncommon there because it has not been bred in captivity.
This fish inhabits coral reefs in the western Pacific, from Indonesia and the Philippines to the Ashmore Reef in the Timor Sea. It stays in very shallow water, from the surface down to about 4 meters (13 feet), and is usually found around *Acropora* coral heads for shelter. Its typical homes are lagoons and reef flats.
Adults reach a maximum length of 15 centimeters (5.9 inches). Juveniles and adults look different: adults are grayish black, while juveniles are dark blue with a light yellow stripe or spot and blue streaks that disappear as they age.
The neon velvet damselfish is omnivorous, eating zooplankton and filamentous algae. Like most damselfish, it is territorial. It is active during the day and hides in corals at night to avoid predators.
In the aquarium, this species is rarely seen, partly because it has not been bred in captivity. Many consider it the most expensive damselfish. It is kept under standard tropical marine conditions but often chases peaceful fish. Because it loves to cruise, it needs a large living space and territory.
For reproduction, a male establishes a territory on a rock or coral surface and cleans it. He then courts a female, who lays eggs that the male fertilizes. The male guards the eggs, aerates them, and removes any that fail to hatch. The spawning process lasts about 20 minutes. A female can lay up to 20,000 eggs, which hatch in three days to a week. Males may spawn with multiple females.
Common names for this species include bluestreak damselfish, blue-streak damselfish, bluevelvet damselfish, Javanese damselfish, Java damselfish, and bluebanded damselfish.
Quick Facts
- Taxon
- Neoglyphidodon oxyodon
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Neoglyphidodon oxyodon is found in coral reefs of the western Pacific Ocean, ranging from Indonesia to the Philippines to the Ashmore Reef in the Timor Sea. It inhabits lagoons and reef flats at depths from 0 to 4 metres, typically sheltering around Acropora heads. Adults reach a maximum size of 15 centimetres and are grayish black, while juveniles are dark blue with a light yellow stripe or spot and blue streaks that fade with age.
This species is omnivorous, feeding on zooplankton and filamentous algae. Like most damselfish, it is territorial and active during daytime, taking shelter in corals at night to avoid predators. Males establish and clean a territory on rock or coral, court a female, then guard and aerate the eggs until they hatch, removing any that fail. Males may spawn with more than one female, and females can lay up to 20,000 eggs per spawning event, which lasts about 20 minutes; eggs hatch in 3 days to a week.
In the aquarium hobby, this species is rarely seen because it has not been bred in captivity. It is considered the most expensive species of damselfish. It requires average tropical marine conditions, a vast living space due to its cruising nature, and often chases other peaceful fishes.
Reader's Guide
Neoglyphidodon oxyodon holds a notable but niche position in the aquarium hobby. The article states it is rarely seen because it has not yet been bred in captivity, which contributes to its reputation as the most expensive species of damselfish. Its significance lies in its striking juvenile coloration—dark blue with yellow and blue markings that fade with age—and its territorial, cruising behavior, which demands a large aquarium. The species is omnivorous, feeding on zooplankton and filamentous algae, and exhibits typical damselfish reproductive behavior: males guard and aerate eggs until hatching, with females laying up to 20,000 eggs per spawning. Its natural habitat is shallow western Pacific coral reefs, particularly lagoons and reef flats around Acropora heads. Despite its high cost and rarity in the trade, it is kept under standard tropical marine conditions, though it may chase other peaceful fish. The article does not provide any conservation status or broader ecological impact, focusing instead on its distribution, description, and aquarium challenges.
Did You Know?
- This species is considered the most expensive damselfish in the aquarium hobby.
- It has not been bred in captivity, making it rarely seen in the hobby.
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