Lemon Ternate Damselfish - Medium

Lemon Ternet Damselfish

The Lemon Ternate is silvery white with a metallic pale yellow or greenish sheen on its upper body and head. Its fins are translucent with yellow shading. It is sometimes confused with the Yellow Damsel (Amblyglyphidodon aureus). This Yellow Damsel differs in body and fin shape and doesn't have the metallic sheen that the Lemon Ternate has.

Lemon Ternets are group spawners, who form pairs. They are oviparous and use dead coral branches as a nest which the male guards. It has been possible to breed them in captivity.

This species is native to the Western Pacific region. Locations include Indonesia, Micronesia, Ryukyu Islands, and the Solomon Islands. They inhabit coastal reefs with an abundance of coral and are found to a depth of 15 meters.

Tank Recommendations for your Lemon Ternet Damselfish

Lemon Ternets should be housed in a tank that is at least 30 gallons (113.5 litres) capacity.

This species is suitable for a reef, or fish-only aquarium. There should be plenty of live rock, with a variety of hiding places. They are capable of jumping out of a tank, so ensure you have a secure lid on your aquarium.

Lemon Ternets can become territorial as they mature. Arranging rockwork to separate areas can help diffuse any potential aggression.

Suitable Tank Buddies

This species is semi-aggressive. They generally ignore other tank mates but shouldn't cohabit with fish that are too timid. They can show aggression to conspecifics and similar species. If a fish of any size comes near its territory, the Lemon Ternet may harass it.

Usually Compatible

Lemon Ternets won't harm invertebrates. Suitable tank buddies include Blennies, reef-safe Wrasse, Clownfish, Dragonets, Gobies, and Pseudochromis.

Sometime Compatible

Care should be taken with conspecifics, Batfish, Grunts/Sweetlips, and Squirrelfish. They can be kept as a school, but once they mature a dominant pair may kill the others.

Rarely Compatible

Anglerfish, Frogfish, Eels, Groupers, Lionfish, Scorpionfish, Sharks, and Rays should all be avoided as they will eat them. Seahorses and Pipefish will get bullied and outcompeted for food by the Lemon Ternet.

Feeding your Lemon Ternet Damselfish

Lemon Ternets are omnivores, feeding by catching passing food in the water column. They will eat a variety of frozen, freeze-dried, and live foods. A suitable diet should have meaty foods like vitamin-enriched brine and mysis shrimp. Spirulina-based preparations, food flakes, and pellets can make up its herbivorous requirements. This species generally don't eat Nori Seaweed.