ORA Pink Smith Damsel

Quick Stats

• Care Level: Easy
• Diet: Omnivore
• Temperament: Semi-Aggressive
• Reef-Safe: Yes
• Source: Captive Bred
• Approximate Purchase Size: 1-1.5"
• Approximate Max Size: 2.5"
• Recommended Tank Size: 20 Gallons or Larger

Overview

This fish is shipped directly to you with exceptional care and high-grade packaging specifically made for live animals from our partner, ORA. This animal is certified by the Mr. Chili Sustainability Alliance, meaning it is sustainably bred, was raised with exceptional husbandry practices, and 2% of net proceeds will be donated to support Ocean Conservation.

The Pink Smith Damsel (Pomacentrus smithi) is a peach colored damselfish that will develop a blue/purple hue around its eyes and face as it matures. Known for its hardiness, the Pink Smith Damsel is an excellent choice for aquarists of all experience levels, adapting well to various tank environments. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced hobbyist, this lively fish adds both beauty and a bit of personality to your saltwater aquarium.

While the Pink Smith Damsel may exhibit territorial behavior as it matures, it will thrive in setups with plenty of hiding spaces. Given its reef-safe nature, this species is compatible with a wide range of tank mates, including peaceful/semi-aggressive fish, invertebrates, and coral. Easy to care for and full of energy, this fish makes a colorful, low-maintenance addition to your reef tank.

Note: Image is a representation of what to expect. The fish you receive may vary slightly in appearance.

Aquarium Requirements

Aquarium Size

More space is always beneficial, but a minimum tank size of 20 gallons is recommended for the Pink Smith Damsel. If you plan to keep this fish in a small group, an aquarium 30 gallons or larger is a better option.

Habitat Recommendations

Pink Smith Damsels are quite adaptable but thrive best in an environment that mimics their natural habitat. Here’s how to set up their ideal home:

• Aquascaping: Incorporate plenty of live rock formations to create hiding spots. More live rock is especially helpful if keeping a group of these fish in the same tank. This not only provides security, but also promotes beneficial biological filtration.
• Substrate: This fish has no specific substrate requirements and can be kept in aquariums using sand of various grain sizes, crushed coral, or no substrate at all.

Water Parameters

Maintaining proper water parameters is crucial for the health and well-being of your fish. While Pink Smith Damsels are considered hardy, providing a stable environment will allow them to thrive and stay healthy.

• Temperature: Keep the water temperature between 75-78°F. Stability is key, so use a reliable heater that can limit any temperature swings to about +/- 1°F or less.
• pH Level: This fish will do well in a wide pH range from about 7.7 to 8.5.
• Salinity: The specific gravity should be between 1.020-1.026 (27-35ppt). Use a refractometer to monitor salinity levels accurately.
• Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate: Ammonia and nitrite levels should be undetectable, while nitrate levels should be kept below 20 ppm. Regular water changes and proper filtration will help to achieve this.
• Water Flow: Moderate water movement is ideal. This is most often achieved by using powerheads in the aquarium to move water around. Adequate water flow helps push uneaten food and fish waste into your filtration and also keeps the water oxygenated.

Diet

Pink Smith Damsels are Omnivores, meaning they eat both meaty and plant-based foods. Offering both will give your new fish the nutrition it needs to not only thrive, but maintain their bright yellow coloration. They're typically not picky eaters and will accept food in a variety of forms.

Primary Diet

• Frozen Food: Mysis Shrimp or other marine-specific frozen foods can provide a quality diet, but with less risk of overfeeding vs pellet or flake foods. 
• Pellet Food: High-Quality pellets are a great option, especially for damselfish that prefer to feed in the water column, rather than at the water surface. Pellet foods are typically very nutrient dense, so care should be taken to avoid overfeeding the aquarium, which can contribute to poor water quality. Many aquarists will feed herbivore specific pellets like Hikari Seaweed Extreme in conjunction with a meaty frozen food for a complete diet.
• Flake Food: Flake food isn't as popular of a choice among saltwater aquarists, but if you opt for a flake food, be sure to choose a marine-specific option that's formulated to meet the needs of saltwater fish.

Feeding Frequency

Feed your Pink Smith Damsel at least once a day. For optimal health, try to offer small, frequent meals throughout the day-- 2-3 times is ideal if you can manage it. Your fish will probably always look hungry, so it can be hard to stop yourself from adding more food to the tank.

Compatibility

When it comes to tank mates, the Pink Smith Damsel can be semi-aggressive, especially as they mature. However, understanding their compatibility with other fish and invertebrates is crucial to maintaining a balanced and stress-free aquarium environment.

Common Tank Mates

Here are some ideal tank mates:

• Fish: Clownfish, Cardinalfish, most Wrasse, Tangs, Dwarf Angelfish, and other peaceful fish.
• Invertebrates: Damselfish won't bother most invertebrates, so Cleaner Shrimp, Hermit Crabs, Snails, Urchins, and more are all safe to keep.
• Coral: The Pink Smith Damsel is considered Reef Safe and can be kept with Soft, LPS, or SPS coral.

Behavioral Notes

• Territoriality: The Pink Smith Damsel may show aggression towards its own species in smaller aquariums. With a larger tank and enough live rock, they can be kept in pairs or small groups.

Acclimation Process

Acclimation instructions are included in each box, but if you misplaced yours or want to know what to expect ahead of time, you can always find an extra copy here: Fish Acclimation Instructions