Common names for the Lemon Chromis (Amblyglyphidodon ternatensis) include; Ternate Damsel, Lemon Damsel, & Schooling Lemon Chromis. The Lemon Chromis should not be confused with the Yellow Damsel.

The Lemon Chromis has a metallic streak running through it’s body, where as the Yellow Damsel doesn’t. They also have a slightly different body and fin shape.

These busy and playful fish like to occupy the mid to upper portions of a tank, they can be kept in schools, but you may find as they mature one dominant pair will kill the rest off.

Dominant pairs like to spawn on dead coral skeletons, if there is not a suitable habitat available for spawning, they have been known to strip corals to the skeleton to give themselves a suitable spawning place. If only one fish is kept, or two males or two females, this shouldn’t happen and they can be considered as reef safe. Alternatively, try to ensure there is a coral skeleton, preferably an Acropora skeleton, for them to spawn on.

They are hardy and easy to care for, and unlike many Damsels are not overly aggressive.

Tank Requirements & Facts

Lemon Damsel
Lemon Damsel
  • Family: Damsel
  • Minimum tank size: 30 Gallon (136 Litres)
  • Prone to disease: No
  • Beginner Compatible: Yes
  • Adult Size: 3 inches (7.6cm)
  • Reef Compatible: Yes
  • Predator Tank Compatible: No
  • Care Level: Easy
  • pH: 8.1 to 8.4
  • Temperature: 22°C to 27°C
  • Preferred Tank Level: Mid to upper region, but they appreciate additional hiding spaces
  • Number to a tank: Can be kept in shoals or singularly

Feeding

  • These are omnivores
  • They catch their food in the water column as it passes them
  • They don’t graze on Nori
  • Flaked food, pellets, frozen food & live foods are readily accepted

Acclimatisation

When acclimating your Chromis it is best to do so in a deep bucket that the fish is unable to jump out of.

Place your fish in the bucket and then drip acclimate for about 45 minutes at a rate of 3 drips per second. This should bring the fishes water parameters in line with your tanks parameters.

Once your fish has been drip acclimated, catch the fish with a net and place it gently into your tank. Do not put any of the water the fish originally came in, into your tank.

Care should be taken after adding the fish to ensure there is a tightly fitting lid on the aquarium at all times. These fish are known to be jumpers and they are more likely to jump when first introduced to an aquarium.

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