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Obscure damsel (Pomacentrus adelus) — Pomacentridae

Obscure damsel

Pomacentrus adelus
Family: Pomacentridae

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

Length
8.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2–8 m
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Australia, Bangladesh, Solomon Is., Brunei Darsm, Myanmar, Indonesia and others

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Description

The Obscure damsel is a damselfish (Pomacentridae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 8 cm. The brown body bears a small eyespot on the dorsal 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 Obscure damsel?

The Obscure damsel has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Obscure damsel live?

The Obscure damsel lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Australia, Bangladesh, Solomon Is., Brunei Darsm, Myanmar, Indonesia and others

How big does the Obscure damsel get?

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

Is the Obscure damsel dangerous to humans?

No, the Obscure 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

Obscure damsel (Pomacentrus adelus) — Pomacentridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) momaz, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Obscure damsel (Pomacentrus adelus) — Pomacentridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) momaz, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Obscure damsel (Pomacentrus adelus) — Pomacentridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) momaz, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Obscure damsel (Pomacentrus adelus) — Pomacentridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) momaz, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Obscure damsel sourced
Scientific name
Pomacentrus adelus
Family
Pomacentridae
Other names
Half-ocellus damsel; Obscure damsel; Obscure damselfish; Dusky damsel verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.5 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2 verified
Max depth (m)
8 verified
Natural range
Asia: Australia, Bangladesh, Solomon Is., Brunei Darsm, Myanmar, Indonesia 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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