Staghorn Damselfish

The Staghorn Damselfish is a moderately sized damselfish that earns its common name from its close association with staghorn and branching Acropora corals in the wild. Juveniles are an attractive bright yellow color that makes them appealing aquarium candidates, but adults gradually transition to a more subdued golden-brown to olive coloration with a slightly deeper body profile. At a maximum size of approximately 4 inches, it falls in the middle range for commonly kept damselfish species.

In the wild, Amblyglyphidodon curacao is widely distributed throughout the Indo-Pacific and Western Pacific, where it forms small groups among branching coral formations, particularly staghorn Acropora. Unlike many damselfish that aggressively defend territories, the Staghorn Damselfish maintains a relatively mild disposition, making it one of the less aggressive members of the damselfish family. It feeds on a combination of zooplankton, filamentous algae, and small benthic organisms, displaying a typical omnivorous damselfish feeding strategy.

The Staghorn Damselfish is an excellent choice for aquarists seeking a hardy damselfish with a more manageable temperament than the notoriously aggressive species in this family. While it can become somewhat territorial as an adult, its aggression level is considerably less than that of species like the Domino Damsel or Blue Devil Damsel. It is completely reef-safe, hardy, and readily accepts all common aquarium foods. The species is well-suited to community reef aquariums where it adds activity and a touch of golden color to the mid-water zone. Provide branching coral or similar structures for shelter to replicate its natural habitat preference.