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Bar-cheek damsel (Neoglyphidodon thoracotaeniatus) — Pomacentridae

Bar-cheek damsel

Neoglyphidodon thoracotaeniatus
Family: Pomacentridae

The Bar-cheek damsel (Neoglyphidodon thoracotaeniatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacentridae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
13.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10–45 m
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Solomon Is., China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Palau, Papua New Guinea and others

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Description

The bar-cheek damsel is a reef fish (Pomacentridae) from the western Pacific. The species grows to about 14 cm; juveniles are bright orange-yellow with blue lines, adults darker grey-brown with a stripe across the cheek. As a reef-dweller it lives on coral-rich slopes and eats algae, zooplankton and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bar-cheek damsel?

The Bar-cheek damsel has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Bar-cheek damsel live?

The Bar-cheek damsel lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Solomon Is., China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Palau, Papua New Guinea and others

How big does the Bar-cheek damsel get?

The Bar-cheek damsel grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.

Is the Bar-cheek damsel dangerous to humans?

No, the Bar-cheek damsel is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Bar-cheek damsel (Neoglyphidodon thoracotaeniatus) — Pomacentridae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Rickard Zerpe (CC BY 2.0)
Bar-cheek damsel (Neoglyphidodon thoracotaeniatus) — Pomacentridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Mark Rosenstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bar-cheek damsel (Neoglyphidodon thoracotaeniatus) — Pomacentridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) SLouisy, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bar-cheek damsel (Neoglyphidodon thoracotaeniatus) — Pomacentridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Piotr Lukasik, some rights reserved (CC BY))

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All data

Identification

English name
Bar-cheek damsel sourced
Scientific name
Neoglyphidodon thoracotaeniatus
Family
Pomacentridae
Other names
Barhead damsel; Bar-head damsel; Western barhead damselfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
13.5 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
10 verified
Max depth (m)
45 verified
Natural range
Asia: Solomon Is., China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Palau, Papua New Guinea and others sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus
Territorial
Yes
Activity
Diurnal
Reproduction
Separate sexes
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Neoglyphidodon

More from the family Pomacentridae

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