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Burrough's damsel (Pomacentrus burroughi) — Pomacentridae

Burrough's damsel

Pomacentrus burroughi
Family: Pomacentridae

The Burrough's damsel (Pomacentrus burroughi) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacentridae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
8.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2–16 m
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Solomon Is., Indonesia, New Caledonia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines and others

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Description

The Burrough's damsel is a damselfish (Pomacentridae) from shallow reef water of the western Pacific. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a stocky, brown-grey with blue lines body. As a territorial, day-active fish it fiercely defends a patch of coral or rock and snaps at algae, zooplankton and small invertebrates. It lays its eggs on the bottom, where the male guards them. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Burrough's damsel?

The Burrough's damsel has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly blue.

Where does the Burrough's damsel live?

The Burrough's damsel lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Solomon Is., Indonesia, New Caledonia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines and others

How big does the Burrough's damsel get?

The Burrough's damsel grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Burrough's damsel dangerous to humans?

No, the Burrough's 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

Burrough's damsel (Pomacentrus burroughi) — Pomacentridae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Burrough's damsel (Pomacentrus burroughi) — Pomacentridae — 3
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Burrough's damsel (Pomacentrus burroughi) — Pomacentridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Nico K. Michiels, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Burrough's damsel (Pomacentrus burroughi) — Pomacentridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) craigjhowe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Burrough's damsel sourced
Scientific name
Pomacentrus burroughi
Family
Pomacentridae
Other names
Burrough's damsel; Burrough's damselfish; Drab damsel verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.5 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)
2 verified
Max depth (m)
16 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Solomon Is., Indonesia, New Caledonia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines and others sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus
Territorial
Yes
Activity
Diurnal sourced
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 Pomacentrus

More from the family Pomacentridae

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