Neopomacentrus filamentosus

(Macleay, 1882)

Brown Demoiselle

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands to Western Australia and New Caledonia.

Size: 4 inches (11 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits soft bottom lagoons, and inshore reefs at depths between 15 to about 50 feet (5 – 15 m) where it feeds mainly on zooplankton (copepods, mysis, and shrimp larvae), fish eggs, and algae.

General Husbandry: Rarely available in the trade, having a greyish/silvery body, sometimes with blue edging on the dorsal, anal, and tail fins.

As with all species in this genus, quite hardy, peaceful, and better maintained in small groups of at least five to seven members. Should be given wide-open swimming areas, as they are open water swimmers almost always in the upper aquarium areas, and non-aggressive tankmates. Should also have hiding places, as they are shy and can be picked on by slightly aggressive tankmates.

As to diet, will eat most regular aquarium foods, e.g., live fortified brine shrimp and/or finely chopped various frozen or fresh meaty foods such as mysis, squid, fish flesh, shrimp, clam, etc., and plant material, e.g., flake foods, especially those containing Spirulina and should be offered several times daily.

Taxonomy:

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Labroidei

Family: Pomacentridae

Subfamily: Pomacentrinae

Genus: Neopomacentrus

FYI: Even though quite passive and will ignore other fish in the aquarium, larger aquariums, e.g., 50 gallons and above for this species provide far more openness for small shoals to ‘peacefully’ coexist.

Experience Level: Beginner

Temperament: Peaceful

Diet: Zooplanktivore/Omnivore

Coral Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: Yes

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Tankmates: Peaceful

Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons

Temperature Range: 72 - 84°F (22 – 28°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5