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Goldback damsel (Pomacentrus nigromanus) — Pomacentridae

Goldback damsel

Pomacentrus nigromanus
Family: Pomacentridae

The Goldback damsel (Pomacentrus nigromanus) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacentridae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
6–60 m
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, Solomon Is., Indonesia, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Micronesia and others

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Description

The Goldback damsel is a damselfish (Pomacentridae) from the western Pacific. The species grows to about 9 cm. The blue body bears a yellow back and a black spot near the pectoral fin. 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 Goldback damsel?

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

Where does the Goldback damsel live?

The Goldback damsel lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Australia, Solomon Is., Indonesia, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Micronesia and others

How big does the Goldback damsel get?

The Goldback damsel grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Goldback damsel dangerous to humans?

No, the Goldback 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

Goldback damsel (Pomacentrus nigromanus) — Pomacentridae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Rickard Zerpe (CC BY 2.0)
Goldback damsel (Pomacentrus nigromanus) — Pomacentridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Sue Churchill, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Goldback damsel (Pomacentrus nigromanus) — Pomacentridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) terence zahner, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Goldback damsel (Pomacentrus nigromanus) — Pomacentridae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Rickard Zerpe (CC BY 2.0)

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All data

Identification

English name
Goldback damsel sourced
Scientific name
Pomacentrus nigromanus
Family
Pomacentridae
Other names
Black-axil damsel; Black-fin damsel; Damsel; Goldback damsel; Goldback damselfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9 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)
6 verified
Max depth (m)
60 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, Solomon Is., Indonesia, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Micronesia 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 Pomacentrus

More from the family Pomacentridae

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