Description
Blue Streak Damsel (Paraglyphidodon oxyodon)
Overview
The Blue Velvet Damselfish (Paraglyphidodon oxyodon), also frequently referred to as the Neon Velvet Damsel, Japanese Damselfish, or Blue-Streak Devil, is a strikingly colored marine fish known for its dramatic appearance changes as it matures.
- Scientific Note: You may also see this fish referred to as Neoglyphidodon oxyodon; Paraglyphidodon is an older or alternate taxonomic classification often used in the trade.
- Appearance: Juveniles are jet-black with vibrant, “neon” blue stripes and a distinct white vertical band. As they mature, this vivid coloration fades, and the fish typically turns a solid dark brown or grayish-black.
- Max Size: Up to 15 cm.
Care Requirements
- Minimum Tank Size: 120 litres for a single specimen, though 200+ litres is highly recommended for community setups to help manage territory and aggression.
- Water Parameters:
- Temperature: 22°C – 26°C.
- pH: 8.1 – 8.4.
- Salinity: 1.020 – 1.025.
- dKH: 8 – 12.
- Environment: They require plenty of live rock arranged with caves, crevices, and overhangs. This allows them to establish a territory, which is essential for reducing stress and aggressive behavior.
Maintenance
- Disease: They are susceptible to common marine parasites like Ich, especially in newly established tanks or when water parameters fluctuate. Maintain pristine, stable water quality through consistent maintenance and filtration.
- Territory: Because they can be territorial, ensure your tank layout includes sufficient swimming space and hiding spots to prevent them from becoming overly dominant over the entire aquarium.
Diet
- Type: Aggressive omnivores.
- Feeding: They are hardy eaters and will readily accept a wide variety of foods.
- Recommended Diet: Provide a mix of frozen mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, spirulina, and high-quality flake or pellet foods. Feeding them several small amounts throughout the day is better than one large meal.
Behavior and Compatibility
- Temperament: Aggressive. They are well-known for their “devilish” personality. They will often bully peaceful fish and should be kept with other boisterous tank mates that can hold their own (e.g., larger Tangs, Triggerfish, or large Angelfish).
- Reef Safety: While they generally do not harm corals or sessile invertebrates, they are often discouraged in reef tanks because they tend to harass smaller, peaceful reef fish.
- Suitability: Best suited for Fish Only with Live Rock (FOWLR) or aggressive community setups.
Reproduction
Like many damselfish, they are egg-layers. The male will prepare a nesting site and vigorously guard the eggs after spawning. Breeding in a home aquarium is rare and difficult due to the specialized requirements for raising the larvae.
Tips
Because they can be incredibly territorial, it is often best to add the Blue Velvet Damselfish last to your tank. Adding them early often results in them claiming the entire aquarium as their territory, making it very difficult to add new fish later.
Picture for illustrative purposes only. Either come in store to view available stock or request pictures to be sent to you.
Please Note: Due to variations within species resulting from age, region, sex, etc., the actual livestock may not look identical to the image. Approximate size range may also vary between individual specimens.
