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Blue damselfish (Chrysiptera cyanea) — Pomacentridae

Blue damselfish

Chrysiptera cyanea
Family: Pomacentridae
LC · Least Concern

The Blue damselfish (Chrysiptera cyanea) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacentridae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
8.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–10.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific; rubble and coral of clear lagoons and reef flats.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The sapphire devil is a small, brightly coloured damselfish of the family Pomacentridae from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 8.5 cm; males and females differ in colour, with males having a brilliant cobalt-blue body and often an orange tail and head. It lives among rubble and coral of clear, sheltered lagoons and subtidal reef flats. As an omnivore it feeds on algae, small zooplankton and small invertebrates. In spawning the male fiercely guards the eggs laid on the bottom. The sapphire devil is popular in the marine aquarium and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blue damselfish?

The Blue damselfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a plain pattern. Males brilliant cobalt blue with an often orange tail; fiercely territorial reef damselfish.

Where does the Blue damselfish live?

The Blue damselfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific; rubble and coral of clear lagoons and reef flats.

How big does the Blue damselfish get?

The Blue damselfish grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Blue damselfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Blue damselfish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Blue damselfish edible?

The Blue damselfish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Blue damselfish (Chrysiptera cyanea) — Pomacentridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) donnymidas, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blue damselfish (Chrysiptera cyanea) — Pomacentridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Oscar Dove, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Blue damselfish (Chrysiptera cyanea) — Pomacentridae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Glmory (Public domain)
Blue damselfish (Chrysiptera cyanea) — Pomacentridae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Bjoertvedt. (CC BY-SA 3.0)
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All data

Identification

English name
Blue damselfish verified
Scientific name
Chrysiptera cyanea
Family
Pomacentridae
Other names
Blue demoiselle; Blue devil; Cornflower sergeantmajor; Cornflower sergeant-major; Electric blue devil; Hedley's damsel-fish; Red tail Australian damsel; Sapphire devil; Sky-blue blue damsel; Sky-blue damsel verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue inferred
Pattern
Plain 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)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
10.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific; rubble and coral of clear lagoons and reef flats. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae, small zooplankton and small invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Males brilliant cobalt blue with an often orange tail; fiercely territorial reef damselfish. 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 Chrysiptera

More from the family Pomacentridae

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