Home · Pomacentridae · Azure damsel
Azure damsel (Pomacentrus pavo) — Pomacentridae

Azure damsel

Pomacentrus pavo
Family: Pomacentridae
LC · Least Concern

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

Length
8.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–18.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The sapphire damsel is a damselfish (Pomacentridae) from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 9 cm and has a brilliant blue body with fine light-blue lines and a dark spot near the gill cover; in certain light it shines metallically, hence the name. Adults inhabit sandy areas of lagoon reefs, around isolated patch reefs, coral heads or rubble, usually in groups. As an omnivore it grazes algae and picks zooplankton from the water. The male guards the eggs laid on the bottom. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Azure damsel?

The Azure damsel has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Azure damsel live?

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

How big does the Azure damsel get?

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

Is the Azure damsel dangerous to humans?

No, the Azure damsel is harmless to humans.

Is the Azure damsel edible?

The Azure damsel is not usually eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Pauw-koraaljuffer sourced
English name
Azure damsel verified
Scientific name
Pomacentrus pavo
Family
Pomacentridae
Other names
Azure damsel; Blue damsel; Blue damselfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.5 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue 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)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
18.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
Yes 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 Pomacentrus

More from the family Pomacentridae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →