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Bar-cheek damsel (Neoglyphidodon thoracotaeniatus) — Pomacentridae

Bar-cheek damsel

Neoglyphidodon thoracotaeniatus
Family: Pomacentridae

The Bar-cheek damsel (Neoglyphidodon thoracotaeniatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacentridae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
13.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10.0–45.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Solomon Is., China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Palau, Papua New Guinea and others

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Description

The bar-cheek damsel is a reef fish (Pomacentridae) from the western Pacific. The species grows to about 14 cm; juveniles are bright orange-yellow with blue lines, adults darker grey-brown with a stripe across the cheek. As a reef-dweller it lives on coral-rich slopes and eats algae, zooplankton and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bar-cheek damsel?

The Bar-cheek damsel has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Bar-cheek damsel live?

The Bar-cheek damsel lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Solomon Is., China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Palau, Papua New Guinea and others

How big does the Bar-cheek damsel get?

The Bar-cheek damsel grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.

Is the Bar-cheek damsel dangerous to humans?

No, the Bar-cheek damsel 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.

More photos

Bar-cheek damsel (Neoglyphidodon thoracotaeniatus) — Pomacentridae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Rickard Zerpe (CC BY 2.0)
Bar-cheek damsel (Neoglyphidodon thoracotaeniatus) — Pomacentridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Mark Rosenstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bar-cheek damsel (Neoglyphidodon thoracotaeniatus) — Pomacentridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) SLouisy, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bar-cheek damsel (Neoglyphidodon thoracotaeniatus) — Pomacentridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Piotr Lukasik, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Bar-cheek damsel sourced
Scientific name
Neoglyphidodon thoracotaeniatus
Family
Pomacentridae
Other names
Barhead damsel; Bar-head damsel; Western barhead damselfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
13.5 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
45.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Solomon Is., China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Palau, Papua New Guinea and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
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 Neoglyphidodon

More from the family Pomacentridae

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