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Azure damselfish (Chrysiptera hemicyanea) — Pomacentridae

Azure damselfish

Chrysiptera hemicyanea
Family: Pomacentridae
VU · Vulnerable

The Azure damselfish (Chrysiptera hemicyanea) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacentridae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
7 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–38.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The azure demoiselle is a small reef fish from the Indo-West Pacific, from the eastern Indian Ocean and Indonesia. It grows to about 7 cm and has a bright azure-blue body with yellow on the belly and tail. It lives on lagoon and coastal reefs between 1 and 38 metres depth, often in small groups among branching Acropora corals. The fish is a planktivore that forages just above the bottom. The eggs are laid on the substrate and guarded and aerated by the male. Because of its limited range the species is listed as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Azure damselfish?

The Azure damselfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a plain pattern. Bright azure blue with a yellow belly and tail; lives among Acropora corals

Where does the Azure damselfish live?

The Azure damselfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific

How big does the Azure damselfish get?

The Azure damselfish grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Azure damselfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Azure damselfish 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.

Is the Azure damselfish edible?

The Azure damselfish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Azure damselfish (Chrysiptera hemicyanea) — Pomacentridae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Haplochromis (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Azure damselfish (Chrysiptera hemicyanea) — Pomacentridae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — User:Haplochromis (Public domain)
Azure damselfish (Chrysiptera hemicyanea) — Pomacentridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Bryan J, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Azure damselfish (Chrysiptera hemicyanea) — Pomacentridae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Haplochromis (CC BY-SA 3.0)
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All data

Identification

English name
Azure damselfish verified
Scientific name
Chrysiptera hemicyanea
Family
Pomacentridae
Other names
Azure demoiselle; Damselfish; Half blue demoiselle; Yellow-dipped damsel; Yellow-tailed blue devil verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue sourced
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
38.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Zooplankton and algae inferred
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Resident fish among branching corals; the male guards the eggs. sourced
Special features
Bright azure blue with a yellow belly and tail; lives among Acropora corals sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
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 Chrysiptera

More from the family Pomacentridae

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