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Blue-scribbled damsel (Pomacentrus nagasakiensis) — Pomacentridae

Blue-scribbled damsel

Pomacentrus nagasakiensis
Family: Pomacentridae

The Blue-scribbled damsel (Pomacentrus nagasakiensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacentridae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
11 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3–35 m
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Australia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Blue-scribbled damsel is a damselfish (Pomacentridae) from the western Pacific. The species grows to about 11 cm. Blue scribbled lines run over head and flank. As a reef-dweller it lives around coral and rocky reefs and eats zooplankton and algae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blue-scribbled damsel?

The Blue-scribbled damsel has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly blue.

Where does the Blue-scribbled damsel live?

The Blue-scribbled damsel lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Australia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan and others

How big does the Blue-scribbled damsel get?

The Blue-scribbled damsel grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Blue-scribbled damsel dangerous to humans?

No, the Blue-scribbled 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.

Is the Blue-scribbled damsel edible?

Yes, the Blue-scribbled damsel is commonly eaten.

More photos

Blue-scribbled damsel (Pomacentrus nagasakiensis) — Pomacentridae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Izuzuki (CC BY 3.0)
Blue-scribbled damsel (Pomacentrus nagasakiensis) — Pomacentridae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Izuzuki (CC BY 3.0)
Blue-scribbled damsel (Pomacentrus nagasakiensis) — Pomacentridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Mark Rosenstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blue-scribbled damsel (Pomacentrus nagasakiensis) — Pomacentridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) juju98, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Blue-scribbled damsel sourced
Scientific name
Pomacentrus nagasakiensis
Family
Pomacentridae
Other names
Blue-scribbled damselfish; Nagasaki damsel; Nagasaki damselfish; Sandy damsel; Speckled-fin damsel verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue sourced
Tail shape
Forked

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
3 verified
Max depth (m)
35 verified
Natural range
Asia: Australia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan 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

Edibility
Commonly eaten
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 Pomacentrus

More from the family Pomacentridae

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