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Brackish damsel (Pomacentrus taeniometopon) — Pomacentridae

Brackish damsel

Pomacentrus taeniometopon
Family: Pomacentridae
LC · Least Concern

The Brackish damsel (Pomacentrus taeniometopon) is a brackish-water fish of the family Pomacentridae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0.0–8.0 m
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Pacific
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The brackish damsel is a small reef fish from the western Pacific, ranging from the Indo-Malayan Archipelago to Taiwan and the Ryukyu Islands. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a deep, laterally compressed, greyish body. Unlike most damselfishes it tolerates strongly brackish water and even penetrates far into fresh water; it lives in lagoons, harbours, mangrove creeks and shallow reefs influenced by freshwater runoff. It feeds on benthic algae. The eggs are laid on the substrate and guarded by the male. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Brackish damsel?

The Brackish damsel has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Tolerates strongly brackish and even fresh water; the male guards the eggs

Where does the Brackish damsel live?

The Brackish damsel lives in brackish water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Pacific

How big does the Brackish damsel get?

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

Is the Brackish damsel dangerous to humans?

No, the Brackish 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.

Is the Brackish damsel edible?

The Brackish damsel is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Brackish damsel verified
Scientific name
Pomacentrus taeniometopon
Family
Pomacentridae
Other names
Brackish damsel; Brackish damselfish; Damselfish; River damsel verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain sourced
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
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
8.0 verified
Natural range
Western Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Benthic algae sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Resident fish of mangroves and brackish reefs; the male guards the clutch. sourced
Special features
Tolerates strongly brackish and even fresh water; the male guards the eggs 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 Pomacentrus

More from the family Pomacentridae

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