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About Princess Damsel

The Princess Damsel is a beautiful marine fish recognised for its bright blue body, yellow-orange fins and striking colour contrast. Its vibrant appearance makes it an attractive addition to reef aquariums and marine community tanks.

Unlike some of the more aggressive damselfish, Princess Damsels are generally peaceful to moderately territorial. They spend much of their time around live rock and coral structures, where they can establish a small territory and retreat when threatened.

They are active, hardy and adaptable once established. Providing plenty of rockwork, caves and visual barriers helps encourage natural behaviour and reduce territorial disputes.

Princess Damsels are omnivores and readily accept a varied diet of quality marine pellets, flakes, mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp and other appropriately sized frozen foods.

They are generally reef safe and will normally leave corals and larger ornamental invertebrates alone.

Quick Care Guide

Scientific Name: Pomacentrus vaiuli
Common Name: Princess Damsel / Princess Damselfish
Family: Pomacentridae
Type: Marine Fish / Damselfish
Adult Size: Approximately 10 cm
Temperament: Peaceful to Semi-Territorial
Care Level: Easy
Minimum Aquarium: 100 L+
Temperature: 24–28°C
pH: 8.0–8.4
Salinity: 1.023–1.026 SG
Diet: Omnivore
Tank Level: Midwater to Rockwork
Reef Safe: Yes
Suitable For: Marine community aquariums and reef tanks

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Princess Damsels reef safe?

Yes. They are generally considered reef safe and will normally leave corals and ornamental invertebrates alone.

Are Princess Damsels aggressive?

They are generally less aggressive than many damselfish, but can still become territorial around their preferred rockwork or spawning site.

Can Princess Damsels be kept in groups?

They can be kept with compatible individuals in a suitably sized aquarium. Providing plenty of rockwork and territory is important when keeping multiple specimens.

What do Princess Damsels eat?

They readily accept marine pellets and flakes along with frozen foods such as mysis shrimp and enriched brine shrimp.

Do Princess Damsels need live rock?

Yes. Live rock provides shelter, territories, grazing surfaces and areas for natural exploration.

Common Mistakes

Underestimating damselfish behaviour
Even relatively peaceful damsels can become territorial as they mature.

Keeping too many in a small aquarium
Limited territory can increase chasing and aggression.

Not providing enough rockwork
Caves and crevices allow fish to establish territories and retreat when necessary.

Keeping them with extremely timid fish
Territorial behaviour can stress very passive tank mates.

Overfeeding
Feed controlled portions and maintain excellent water quality.