Home · Pomacentridae · Crescent damsel
Crescent damsel (Neopomacentrus cyanomos) — Pomacentridae

Crescent damsel

Neopomacentrus cyanomos
Family: Pomacentridae
LC · Least Concern

The Crescent damsel (Neopomacentrus cyanomos) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacentridae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5.0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The crescent damsel is a small reef fish of the family Pomacentridae, native to the Indo-West Pacific. The species reaches about 10 cm, has a dark brown-grey body with blue and yellow accents and a crescent-notched tail. It inhabits inshore and outer reefs, harbours and current-prone sites, where large schools feed on zooplankton just above the bottom. The species is diurnal and reproduces via adhesive demersal eggs guarded by the male. Notably it has recently established in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean, where it is regarded as invasive.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Crescent damsel?

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

Where does the Crescent damsel live?

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

How big does the Crescent damsel get?

The Crescent damsel grows to a maximum of about 10 cm. On average the species is around 7 cm.

Is the Crescent damsel dangerous to humans?

No, the Crescent damsel is harmless to humans.

Is the Crescent damsel edible?

The Crescent damsel is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Halvemaan-juffertje sourced
English name
Crescent damsel verified
Scientific name
Neopomacentrus cyanomos
Family
Pomacentridae
Other names
Damsel fish; Regal damsel; Regal demoiselle verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. 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 Neopomacentrus

More from the family Pomacentridae

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