Johnston Damsel
Plectroglyphidodon johnstonianus
| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity |
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Full guarantee terms →Ships Monday – Thursday for next-day arrival at your nearest FedEx Hold location — typically ready by 9 AM. We monitor every delivery.
Shipping details →
Monday – Friday 8 AM – 9 PM
Saturday 12 PM – 4 PM
Sunday 12 PM – 9 PM
Healthy, stable animals from vetted suppliers — inspected before packing, shipped overnight. Decades of experience built this model so we can deliver premium livestock at 30%+ less than you'd pay elsewhere.
| Care Level | Easy |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Aggressive |
| Reef Safe | With Caution |
| Functional Benefit | Ornamental Only |
| Diet Type | Omnivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 55 gallons |
| Max Size | 6 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
The Johnston Damsel (Plectroglyphidodon johnstonianus) is a reef-associated damselfish from the Indo-Pacific and is only occasionally seen in the aquarium trade.
It can reach about 14 cm (about 5.5 inches) as an adult, giving it a solid, deep-bodied reef damsel presence in a saltwater aquarium.
What You’ll Observe:
- A consistent home base in the rockwork, with short patrol loops nearby
- Quick, direct feeding responses at the surface and in the water column
- Regular grazing pecks at rock and reef surfaces between meals
- Bold positioning in open water once it has settled into a chosen area
To succeed, provide a well-established reef tank with stable rockwork that creates clear territories and retreat spaces. Offer a varied omnivore diet (meaty frozen foods plus algae-based options) and feed in a way that spreads food across the tank so multiple fish can eat comfortably.
Why is my damsel suddenly digging or moving sand around?
Many damsels will excavate a den under a rock or push sand aside to shape a preferred hangout spot.
How can I catch a damsel without tearing apart the aquascape?
A clear fish trap (or bottle-trap method) works best when it is conditioned to enter for food over a few days.
It started defending one rock much more than usual—is that normal?
This can happen when a damsel is tending a nest site or eggs laid on rockwork or plugs.
Will it pick at corals once it settles in?
Some Plectroglyphidodon-type damsels are reported to sample coral polyps in captivity, so placement and coral selection matter in mixed reefs.
Do mirrors or small rockwork changes actually help fish settle disputes?
Some hobbyists use a mirror and small rockwork changes to reduce same-territory fixation during transitions.
We work with trusted suppliers who keep our specimens healthy and well-fed before shipping.
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