Home · Pomacentridae · Smith's damsel
Smith's damsel (Pomacentrus smithi) — Pomacentridae

Smith's damsel

Pomacentrus smithi
Family: Pomacentridae

The Smith's damsel (Pomacentrus smithi) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacentridae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
7 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–14.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Smith's damsel is a damselfish (Pomacentridae) from shallow reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a stocky, yellow-brown with blue lines body. As a territorial, day-active fish it fiercely defends a patch of coral or rock and snaps at algae, zooplankton and small invertebrates. It lays its eggs on the bottom, where the male guards them. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Smith's damsel?

The Smith's damsel has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly yellow-gold.

Where does the Smith's damsel live?

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

How big does the Smith's damsel get?

The Smith's damsel grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Smith's damsel dangerous to humans?

No, the Smith's damsel is harmless to humans.

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
Smiths rifbaarsje sourced
English name
Smith's damsel sourced
Scientific name
Pomacentrus smithi
Family
Pomacentridae
Other names
Smith's damsel; Smith's damselfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
14.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

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 →