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Damselfish (Pomacentrus lepidogenys) — Pomacentridae

Damselfish

Pomacentrus lepidogenys
Family: Pomacentridae
NT · Near Threatened

The Damselfish (Pomacentrus lepidogenys) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacentridae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1–12 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific, in lagoons and on outer reef slopes.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The scaly damsel is a reef fish of the family Pomacentridae from the Indo-West Pacific. The species reaches about 9 cm and has a grey-brown body with a yellowish tinge and translucent fins. Adults inhabit lagoons, reef passages and outer reef slopes, where they hover singly or in small groups just above the bottom in the water column, feeding on zooplankton. The eggs are adhesive and laid on the bottom; the male guards the brood. The IUCN assesses the species as near threatened (NT). It is a common sight on outer reefs.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Damselfish?

The Damselfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Plankton-eating damselfish of outer reef slopes; the male guards the bottom eggs; near threatened (NT).

Where does the Damselfish live?

The Damselfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific, in lagoons and on outer reef slopes.

How big does the Damselfish get?

The Damselfish grows to a maximum of about 9 cm. On average the species is around 6 cm.

Is the Damselfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Damselfish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Damselfish edible?

The Damselfish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Damselfish (Pomacentrus lepidogenys) — Pomacentridae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Rickard Zerpe (CC BY 2.0)
Damselfish (Pomacentrus lepidogenys) — Pomacentridae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Rickard Zerpe (CC BY 2.0)
Damselfish (Pomacentrus lepidogenys) — Pomacentridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Mark Rosenstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Damselfish (Pomacentrus lepidogenys) — Pomacentridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) catta, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Damselfish verified
Scientific name
Pomacentrus lepidogenys
Family
Pomacentridae
Other names
Scaly damsel; Scaly damselfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9 verified
Average length (cm)
6 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown
Pattern
Plain
Tail shape
Forked
Mouth position
Terminal
Lips
Thin
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1 verified
Max depth (m)
12 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific, in lagoons and on outer reef slopes.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Zooplankton sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups
Territorial
Yes
Activity
Diurnal
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Plankton-eating damselfish of outer reef slopes; the male guards the bottom eggs; near threatened (NT). sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

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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