Golden Damselfish (Amblyglyphidodon aureus)
| Golden Damselfish Amblyglyphidodon aureus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Golden Damselfish |
| Name Lat. | Amblyglyphidodon aureus |
| Synonym | Abudefduf aureus |
| Family | Damselfishes |
| Family lat. | Pomacentridae |
| Order | Ovalentarias |
| Order lat. | Ovalentaria inc. sed. |
| Origin | Indo-West Pacific |
| Habitat | Seaward reefs |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| pH | 8.1-8.4 |
| Hardness | 8-10 °KH |
| Behavior | Semi-aggressive |
| Keeping | Individual, group |
| Reef Compatible | Yes |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Life Span | N/A |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 13 cm |
| Temperature | 24-28 °C |
| Salinity | 33-36 ‰ |
| Aquarium | ~ 300 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 5" |
| Temperature | 75-82 °F |
| Salinity | 1.020-1.025 sg |
| Aquarium | ~ 80 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The distribution area of Amblyglyphidodon aureus is the eastern Indian and western Pacific Oceans, from the Andaman Sea and the Christmas Islands to Fiji and the Ryukyu Islands (Japan) to New Caledonia. They live there mostly on steep outer reef slopes and in deep lagoons with rich coral growth (gorgonians).
Maintenance
They require a well-structured aquarium with a reef structure that allows for territoriality and at the same time provides hiding, resting and cover opportunities, with live stones that act as a biological filter and sufficient swimming space. Only lime-rich, heavy metal-free sands, gravels, stones or sea sand of various grain sizes may be used as substrate
Filters, skimmers and heaters are necessary to ensure water quality, as well as pumps to simulate tides, swells and bottom currents. Lighting must correspond to the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals
| Salinity: 33-36 ‰ | pH value: 8.1-8.4 |
| Carbonate hardness: 8-10 °KH | Nitrate content: 2-8 mg/l |
| phosphate content: 0.01-0.1 mg/l | nitrite content: 0.0-0.05 mg/l |
For salinity, an average value should be aimed for, which may only vary slightly by +/- 0.5 ‰. Ammonia and ammonium must not be measurable. Special attention must be paid to constantly good water quality.
Diet
They feed mainly on zooplankton, but also need plant food. The feed change usually succeeds without problems. The food supply should consist of a combination of small mysis, krill and artemia as well as commercially available, frozen special food mixtures for plankton eaters and algae (e.g. spirulina, kelp). High-quality dry food in flake or granule form with a high vegetable content is also well accepted. It is recommended to feed small portions several times a day (3-5 times)
Regular and varied feeding promotes health and increases resistance.
Behaviour and compatibility
Juveniles can be kept well in a group, but it is better to keep them singly or in pairs. To avoid territorial fights, they should be placed in the aquarium at the same time. Adults often behave territorially, therefore keeping several animals is only recommended in a larger and richly structured tank. Towards other smaller fish they usually behave aggressively and consistently defend their territory.
Sex dimorphism
There are no known external distinguishing characteristics.
Reproduction and breeding
There are no known reports of successful breeding in the aquarium.
Important
With age, they lose color
It is recommended to keep these reef inhabitants together with corals and not to keep them in a pure fish aquarium.
If different species are kept together, make sure that the fish match each other in terms of water quality and temperature requirements as well as their social behavior, and that the setup meets the needs of all species kept together.
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: Werner Winter; Image: Franz Lowak
Source: KUITER & DEBELIUS (2007): Atlas der Meeresfische: Die Fische an den Küsten der Weltmeere, Kosmos Verlag; BAENSCH & PATZNER (1998): Meerwasser Atlas Bd. 7, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF