POMACENTRIDAE

Damselfishes and Anemonefishes
By Koichi Shibukawa




Abudefduf bengalensis

Abudefduf notatus

Abudefduf sordidus

Abudefduf vaigiensis

Amblyglyphidodon aureus

Amblyglyphidodon indicus

Amblyglyphidodon leucogaster

Amphiprion akallopisos

Amphiprion clarkii

Amphiprion ephippium

Amphiprion ocellaris

Cheiloprion labiatus

Chromis atripectoralis

Chromis cinerascens

Chromis dimidiatus

Chromis flavipectoralis

Chromis opercularis

Chromis ternatensis

Chromis viridis

Chrysiptera biocellata

Chrysiptera brownriggii

Chrysiptera glauca

Chrysiptera rollandi

Dascyllus aruanus

Dascyllus carneus

Dascyllus trimaculatus

Dischistodus perspicillatus

Lepidozygus tapeinosoma

Neoglyphidodon nigroris

Neopomacentrus cyanomos

Neopomacentrus sororius

Plectroglyphidodon dickii

Plectroglyphidodon lacrymatus

Pomacentrus adelus

Pomacentrus alleni

Pomacentrus amboinensis

Pomacentrus azuremaculatus

Pomacentrus chrysurus

Pomacentrus lepidogenys

Pomacentrus moluccensis

Pomacentrus nagasakiensis

Pomacentrus pavo

Pomacentrus philippinus

Pomacentrus similis

Stegastes obreptus

Stegastes punctatus

Small to medium-sized fishes, usually less than 20 cm. Body compressed, ovate to almost circular, covered with ctenoid scales usually extending onto fins; dorsal fin continuous with VIII-XVII spines and no notch; anal fin with II spines and 10-16 soft rays; caudal fin emarginated to forked or lunate. Lateral line interrupted; anterior part of pored scales more or less parallel with dorsal profile and usually ending below soft portion of dorsal fin; posterior part comprising several pits or obscure pores along mid-lateral caudal peduncle; snout usually short and blunt; mouth small, slightly protractile; teeth conical or compressed, uniserial or in 2 or more rows; no teeth on palatine. Color: highly variable; mainly from pale through yellowish, orange, reddish or bluish to blackish; sometimes with blotches, bands, spots, or other patterns.

Similar families occurring in the area. Pomacanthidae: a long, strong spine at the corner of preopercle. Chaetodontidae: elongate, somewhat tube-like snout.

Remarks. Found in coastal waters such as bays, coral reefs and rocky shores, and often enter brackish estuaries or freshwater streams. Frequently utilized as aquarium fish.