Why is my lemon damselfish got a lot of silver on it

[tanglover13]

Hello I have had a lemon damsels for about 2 years why is it on the internet they look fully yellow and mine is just yellow on the fins do they change or is it a different species

 

[Tired]

Got any photos?

 

[Mr_Knightley]

There are two types, lemon damsels and lemon chromis. Lemon chromis are mostly silver with a yellow head and back.

 

[Katrina71]

Ours is a different type, at 9.5 has never lost his juvenile colors.

 

[tanglover13]

He looks like that

 

[tanglover13]

Which type is fully yellow

 

[Katrina71]

Yours looks like a staghorn damsel to me

 

[tanglover13]

I bought it as a lemon damsel I live in England maybe they call it different

 

[tanglover13]

I have never ever seen a full yellow damsel in England

 

[Katrina71]

I have never ever seen a full yellow damsel in England

Yours is beautiful!

 

[tanglover13]

I know I am just looking to buy a fully yellow one

 

[tanglover13]

Anyone know what a full yellow damselfish is called

 

[Tired]

They're called lemon damselfish. This is the problem with common names- people apply them to the wrong animal. Buying by Latin name, or by picture, is safest.

 

[Mr_Knightley]

He looks like that

Yes this is a lemon chromis / staghorn chromis, which is a type of damsel.

 

[tanglover13]

My lfs said that there is different variations within lemon damselfish

 

[i cant think]

He looks like that

As a juvenile, this species is often more silver. They gain more yellow as they age.
The species you’re after is Pomacentrus moluccensis.

Ours is a different type, at 9.5 has never lost his juvenile colors.

This is the maturing phase for Neoglyphidodon oxyodon - Juveniles of this species have a solid yellow bar. The adults then go to this;

This colour is generally attained once at 4-5 inches. Then maxing out at 6 inches and a nasty fish as well - Lovely for a species only but nasty in a community tank.

 

[i cant think]

OP, do you have a photo of your exact fish? That way we can ID if you have the right species.

 

[Katrina71]

As a juvenile, this species is often more silver. They gain more yellow as they age.
The species you’re after is Pomacentrus moluccensis.

This is the maturing phase for Neoglyphidodon oxyodon - Juveniles of this species have a solid yellow bar. The adults then go to this;

This colour is generally attained once at 4-5 inches. Then maxing out at 6 inches and a nasty fish as well - Lovely for a species only but nasty in a community tank.

I'm aware of the cautions. He was kept in a 5 gallon tank for a year and a half at the lfs. That's actually why my son wanted him. He is at least 9.5 years old and still has his juvenile coloring. He is definitely territorial with his rock, and can move anything in the tank, but has always had tank mates. We are mindful of his behavior when we scape. In 8 years that we have had him, he has been only mildly threatening. No bites. (Yet)

 

[saltnut]

This is my Golden (yellow) Damsel from Petco $14.99 purchased 08/27/22

 

[tanglover13]

Nice thanks for all your help guys I think I have a staghorn damsel