{"product_id":"blue-velvet-damsel-neoglyphidodon-oxyodon-saltwater","title":"Blue Velvet Damsel (Neoglyphidodon oxyodon)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E0F7FA;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eBlue Velvet Damsel\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eNeoglyphidodon oxyodon\u003c\/em\u003e) is one of the most striking small fish in the hobby as a juvenile: a deep blue-black body with a velvety sheen, electric blue streaks scribbled across the face and flanks, and a bold white bar just behind the head. It is hardy, eats anything, and tolerates a wide range of conditions, which makes it tempting as an early addition to a marine tank. Two things are worth knowing before you buy, and both are covered below. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-water\"\u003esaltwater livestock and supplies\u003c\/a\u003e to build the reef around it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRead This First\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe colors fade with age.\u003c\/strong\u003e That electric blue scribbling and the white bar are juvenile traits. As this fish matures it darkens toward a plain charcoal or brown-black, and most of the pattern disappears. Buy it because you like the fish, not only the photo, because the adult looks quite different.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIt gets bolder as it grows.\u003c\/strong\u003e Juveniles are unassuming. Adults are territorial and will defend a chosen patch of rock, harassing smaller or more timid tank mates. Plan the stocking around that rather than hoping it stays mellow.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 55 gallons or larger. It reaches about 6 inches and needs room to hold a territory without pressuring everything else in the tank.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e 72 to 78°F, pH 8.1 to 8.4, salinity 1.020 to 1.025, dKH 8 to 12. Genuinely forgiving, which is a large part of the appeal.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAquascape:\u003c\/strong\u003e plenty of rockwork with caves and line-of-sight breaks. Broken sight lines are the single most effective way to keep a territorial damsel civil.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e omnivore with a real appetite for greens. Rotate a quality marine pellet with frozen foods such as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/piscine-energetics-pe-mysis\"\u003ePE Mysis\u003c\/a\u003e and dried seaweed on a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/two-little-fishies-veggiemag-magnetic-seaweed-clip\"\u003eVeggieMag clip\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStocking order:\u003c\/strong\u003e add it last. Introducing a damsel to an established tank means it has no claimed ground when everyone else is already settled, which takes most of the heat out of the aggression.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReef safe:\u003c\/strong\u003e yes. It will not pick at corals, clams, or ornamental shrimp. The caution with this species is about fish, not invertebrates.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:640px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eNeoglyphidodon oxyodon\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBlue Velvet Damsel, Javanese Damsel, Neon Velvet Damsel\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIntermediate, hardy but needs aggression planning\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eSemi-aggressive, increasing with age\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef safe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMax size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAbout 6 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e55 gallons\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e72 to 78°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSalinity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e1.020 to 1.025\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eOmnivore, enjoys algae and seaweed\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eWestern Pacific, Java Sea and Indonesia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store pickup at Squeaky's Aquatics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBest kept with fish that can hold their own: tangs, larger wrasses, hawkfish, and other robust community fish in a tank with plenty of rock. The \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bicolor-dottyback-pictichromis-paccagnellae-saltwater\"\u003eBicolor Dottyback\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/three-stripe-damselfish-dascyllus-aruanus-saltwater\"\u003eThree Stripe Damselfish\u003c\/a\u003e occupy the same feisty niche, so give them separate territories or skip the combination in a smaller tank. Avoid pairing it with shy, slow feeders such as firefish, small gobies, or mandarins, which tend to lose out at feeding time. Keep one per tank unless the system is large, since they do not tolerate their own kind. If you want the look without the attitude, the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/blue-green-chromis-chromis-viridis-saltwater\"\u003eBlue Green Chromis\u003c\/a\u003e is the peaceful shoaling alternative from the same family. All corals and ornamental invertebrates are safe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/piscine-energetics-pe-mysis\"\u003ePiscine Energetics PE Mysis\u003c\/a\u003e frozen food\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/xtreme-marine-peewee-1-5mm-slow-sinking-pellet\"\u003eXtreme Marine PeeWee Pellets\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/vitalis-marine-grazing-pellets-saltwater-fish-food\"\u003eVitalis Marine Grazing Pellets\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/ocean-nutrition-green-marine-algae\"\u003eOcean Nutrition Green Marine Algae\u003c\/a\u003e dried seaweed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/two-little-fishies-veggiemag-magnetic-seaweed-clip\"\u003eTwo Little Fishies VeggieMag\u003c\/a\u003e seaweed clip\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it really lose the blue?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. The electric blue markings and the white bar are juvenile colors, and they fade as the fish matures into a much darker, plainer adult. Some individuals keep a hint of blue in the right light, but do not buy one expecting the juvenile look to last.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it reef safe?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCompletely, where corals and invertebrates are concerned. It will not nip corals, clams, or shrimp. The only compatibility question with this species is how it treats other fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I keep more than one?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNot in a normal-sized tank. They are intolerant of their own kind and will fight until one gives up. One per system is the safe rule.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow aggressive is it really?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eManageable with planning, difficult without it. In a 55 gallon or larger tank with good rockwork, robust tank mates, and the damsel added last, it is usually a bold but tolerable resident. In a small tank of peaceful fish it will run the show.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48862822367451,"sku":"1150177","price":21.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/e12d7e8e-b640-411b-b99e-f3cb375782cd.png?v=1787302220","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/blue-velvet-damsel-neoglyphidodon-oxyodon-saltwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}