| Family: |
Pomacentridae (Damselfishes), subfamily: Pomacentrinae |
| Max. size: |
7.5 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 2 - 35 m, non-migratory |
| Distribution: |
Eastern Indian Ocean and Western Pacific: Andaman Sea to the Loyalty Islands, north to the Philippines, south to the Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia. Recently recorded from Tonga (Ref. 53797). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 13-13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 12-13. Description: Dorsal part of the head and anterior portion of the back dark brown with blue streaks, creamy white below (Ref. 7247). |
| Biology: |
Adults occur singly or in small groups in lagoons, harbors, and outer reef slopes. Found among corals and coral rubble (Ref. 9710). Feed mainly on zooplankton. Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205). Eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate (Ref. 205). Males guard and aerate the eggs (Ref. 205). DNA analysis suggests that this species could be divided to three species at least, i.e. fish from (1) Andaman Sea, (2) Indo-Australian archipelago, and (3) New Caledonia and southern Coral Sea are distinct species. Diurnal species (Ref. 54980; 113699). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 23 September 2021 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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