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Damsel fish (Chromis chromis) — Pomacentridae

Damsel fish

Chromis chromis
Family: Pomacentridae
LC · Least Concern

The Damsel fish (Chromis chromis) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacentridae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–40.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The Mediterranean damselfish is a small reef fish of the family Pomacentridae reaching about 25 cm but usually around 13 cm. Adults are dark brown to black, while juveniles stand out with a brilliant cobalt-blue colour. The species forms loose shoals in midwater above rocky reefs and seagrass meadows in the Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic, usually between 2 and 40 m. It feeds on small plankton and benthic animals. In summer it spawns; the males build a nest on rock or sand and guard the eggs, which are attached by adhesive filaments, until they hatch.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Damsel fish?

The Damsel fish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Damsel fish live?

The Damsel fish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Damsel fish get?

The Damsel fish grows to a maximum of about 25 cm. On average the species is around 13 cm.

Is the Damsel fish dangerous to humans?

No, the Damsel fish is harmless to humans.

Is the Damsel fish edible?

The Damsel fish is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Spaanse juffervis verified
English name
Damsel fish verified
Scientific name
Chromis chromis
Family
Pomacentridae
Other names
Damselfish; Mediterranean chromis verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.0 verified
Average length (cm)
13.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked sourced
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
40.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Social behaviour
Schooling verified
Territorial
Yes verified
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
No verified

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten verified
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Chromis

More from the family Pomacentridae

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