Damselfishes
Overview
Damselfishes, demoiselle or anemonefishes are members of the Pomacentridae family. They are found in all tropical seas, mainly the Indo-Pacific oceans. They are one of the most numerous groups occurring on tropical reefs, in terms of both number of species and number of individuals. They are extremely variable in colour with many species exhibiting shades of brown, black, blue, green, red, and yellow; a dark spot or ocellus often present on dorsal fin, particularly in juvenile stages. They are recognized by having a single dorsal fin with 7 to 17 stout spines and 9 to 21 soft rays. Their anal fin has 2 spines and 9 to 16 soft rays. Most species do not exceed a length of about 15 cm.Damselfishes inhabit coral and rocky reefs, but also common in other shallow-water habitats. They are lively and quick, and are usually strongly territorial and aggressive. Their feeding habits are variable. The larger species tend to feed mainly on algae, many others are omnivorous, consuming algae and small invertebrates, while others rely on planktonic items. They are rarely caught for food. The primary fishery value of damselfishes is through the ornamental marine aquarium trade.
There are 29 genera and about 385 species of pomacentrids worldwide.
Common Damselfishes Species List
English Name: Bengal Sergeant
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Gombing, Bombin, Kepal Batu, Gombing Benggala
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาตะกรับเจ็ดแถบ (Plā takrạb cĕd t̄hæb)
Main Identification Features: Recognized by the rounded tail and 7 narrow bands.
Size: Maximum total length about 17 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Coral reefs, 1 to 50 m depth; most common at 1 to 5 m. Occurs solitary or in small groups; pairing during breeding. Feeds on algae, gastropods, and small crabs.
English Name: Indo-Pacific Sergeant, Sergeant Major
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Gombing, Bombin, Gombing Jalur Lima
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาตะกรับห้าแถบ (Plā takrạb h̄̂ā t̄hæb)
Main Identification Features: Recognized by the 5 dark bands.
Size: Maximum total length about 20 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Coral and rocky reefs, 1 to 15 m depth. Often occurs in aggregations; pairing during breeding. Feeds on zooplankton, benthic algae, and small invertebrates.
English Name: Clown Anemonefish, False Clown Anemonefish, Western Clownfish
Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 眼斑海葵鱼 (Yǎn bān hǎi kuí yú)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Inggu Pipi Badut
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาการ์ตูนส้มขาว (Plā kār̒tūn s̄̂m k̄hāw)
Main Identification Features: Similar to A. percula in pattern. 10 to 11 dorsal spines.
Size: Maximum total length about 11 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Coral reefs, 1 to 15 m depth, commonly at 3 to 15 m. Often found among the venomous tentacles of large sea anemones. Pairing during breeding. Feeds on crustaceans, algae, worms and leftovers of anemone.
English Name: Green Puller, Green Chromis
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Gombing, Gombing Puyu Hijau
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาสลิดหินสีน้ำตาล (Plā s̄lid h̄in s̄ī n̂ảtāl)
Main Identification Features: Body and fin silvery grey with small black spot on axilla.
Size: Maximum total length about 13 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Coral reefs, 3 to 15 m depth. Pairing during breeding. Feeds during day time mainly on zooplankton.
English Name: Chinese Demoiselle, Half-moon Damsel, Orangetailed Damselfish
Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 斑刻新雀鲷 (Bān kè xīn què diāo), 斑刻豆娘鱼 (Bān kè dòu niáng yú)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Kepal Batu, Gombing, Bombin, Kepal-batu Ekor Oren
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาสลิดหินเทาหางเหลือง (Plā s̄lid h̄in theā h̄āng lueng)
Main Identification Features: Black spot on upper pectoral fin base. Caudal fin, caudal peduncle and rear part of the dorsal fin and rear part of anal fin yellow. Caudal fin lunate with filamentous tips. Without dark or blue scale edges over body.
Size: Maximum total length about 8 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Inhabits inner coastal reefs around coral or rock outcrops on soft bottoms, 1 to 12 m depth. Uses coral and rock structures as a refuge from predatory fish. Diurnal species. Feeds mainly on zooplankton, fish eggs, and algae. Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding. Eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate. Males guard and aerate the eggs.
English Name: Spinecheek Anemonefish, Maroon Clownfish, Tomato Clownfish, Gold Stripe Clown
Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 棘颊雀鲷 (Jí jiá què diāo)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Inggu Pipi Duri, Giro Balong Strip Kuning (Indonesia)
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาการ์ตูนทอง (Plā kār̒tūn thxng)
Main Identification Features: Suborbital armed with a pair of elongate spines.
Size: Maximum total length about 17 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Coral reefs and lagoon, 1 to 16 m depth. Often found in pairs among anemone Entacmaea quadricolor. Feeds during day time mainly on zooplankton and benthic algae.
