Charcoal Damsel (Pomacentrus brachialis) Care Guide
Pomacentrus brachialis is a western Pacific reef damselfish reaching about 10 cm, feeding on zooplankton and benthic algae.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Pomacentrus brachialis, the charcoal damsel, is a marine damselfish of the family Pomacentridae. FishBase records a maximum size of 10.3 cm standard length. It is a reef-associated species of the tropical western Pacific.
Taxonomy
- Family: Pomacentridae
- Genus: Pomacentrus
- Scientific name: Pomacentrus brachialis
Habitat
FishBase reports the species across the western Pacific from Indonesia to Fiji, north to the Ryukyu Islands and south to New Caledonia, with recent records from Tonga. It inhabits reef-associated zones at depths of 6–40 m, typically in passages, on outer reef slopes and current-prone clear-water reef flats.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 150 L (about 40 gal)
- Temperature: 24–26 °C (75–79 °F)
- pH: 8.1–8.4
- GH: 8–12 °dGH
- Lifespan: 5–10 years
Diet
According to FishBase the charcoal damsel feeds on zooplankton and benthic algae. In aquaria it accepts prepared, frozen and small live foods together with algae-based feeds.
Compatibility
FishBase notes that adults occur singly or in small groups. As a semi-aggressive, mid-water Pomacentrus it can defend territory in smaller tanks. Robust tankmates such as tangs, wrasses and (with caution) triggers are generally suitable; slow, shy fish and additional damsels in small tanks are best avoided.
Breeding
Reproduction is oviparous with distinct pairing. FishBase reports that the eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate and that males guard and aerate them. Captive breeding is regarded as an expert-level undertaking.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 18 August 2023, per FishBase).
Charcoal Damsel (Pomacentrus brachialis) Breeding Guide
Overview
Pomacentrus brachialis, the charcoal damsel, is a small Western Pacific damselfish ranging from Indonesia to Fiji, north to the Ryukyu Islands and south to New Caledonia, reaching about 10.3 cm standard length. FishBase lists it as oviparous with distinct pairing during breeding, conforming to the family's demersal-spawning pattern. IUCN assessed it as Least Concern in 2023.
Sexing
No reliable external sexing character is documented for P. brachialis in the consulted sources. As in other Pomacentrus, the male is recognised behaviourally as the nest-tending, more aggressive individual during reproduction; the species is otherwise broadly monomorphic.
Conditioning
A species-specific conditioning protocol is not documented. P. brachialis feeds on zooplankton and benthic algae (trophic level about 2.6) and lives in current-prone, clear-water passages and outer slopes; a varied marine diet supports condition. Keep stable reef parameters within the recorded ranges (temperature about 24–26 °C, pH 8.1–8.4).
Breeding Setup
Provide open rock or rubble in clear, moving water resembling the species' natural passages and outer-reef slopes, giving a male a defensible nest patch. Following the family pattern, the male clears an area of algae and invertebrates before spawning. Space and broken sightlines moderate territorial aggression.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Specific spawning triggers for P. brachialis are not documented. In Pomacentridae, ritualised courtship precedes spawning; the female lays a string of sticky eggs attached to the substrate and the male fertilises them externally. FishBase confirms the eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate and that males guard and aerate them.
Egg & Fry Care
The male guards and aerates the clutch through incubation. At family level, eggs hatch over about two to seven days into transparent larvae roughly 2–4 mm long that disperse into a pelagic phase. This planktonic stage is the principal barrier to captive reproduction.