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Banded damsel (Dischistodus fasciatus) — Pomacentridae

Banded damsel

Dischistodus fasciatus
Family: Pomacentridae

The Banded damsel (Dischistodus fasciatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacentridae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
11.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–8.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Pacific; turbid lagoon and coastal reefs.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The banded damsel is a damselfish (Pomacentridae) from the western Pacific. The species has a deep, laterally compressed body with broad dark crossbars over a lighter background, to which the name refers. Adults inhabit silty lagoon and coastal reefs around coral outcrops and seagrass beds, often near clear mangroves. It is territorial and defends an algal patch. It grazes on algae and picks small invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Banded damsel?

The Banded damsel has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a vertical stripes pattern. Broad dark vertical bars; territorial and defends a small algal garden.

Where does the Banded damsel live?

The Banded damsel lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Pacific; turbid lagoon and coastal reefs.

How big does the Banded damsel get?

The Banded damsel grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Banded damsel dangerous to humans?

No, the Banded damsel is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Banded damsel edible?

The Banded damsel is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Banded damsel verified
Scientific name
Dischistodus fasciatus
Family
Pomacentridae
Other names
Banded damsel; Banded damselfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars 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)
8.0 verified
Natural range
Western Pacific; turbid lagoon and coastal reefs. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae and small invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Broad dark vertical bars; territorial and defends a small algal garden. 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
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Dischistodus

More from the family Pomacentridae

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