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Damselfish (Amblyglyphidodon aureus) — Pomacentridae

Damselfish

Amblyglyphidodon aureus
Family: Pomacentridae
LC · Least Concern

The Damselfish (Amblyglyphidodon aureus) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacentridae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
13 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–60.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Pacific; steep outer reef slopes.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The golden damselfish is a damselfish (Pomacentridae) from the western Pacific. The species has a deep, laterally compressed, bright-yellow body. Adults live on steep outer reef slopes, sometimes in deep lagoons and along channel walls, usually in areas with current. There it catches zooplankton from the water current and shelters among coral and gorgonians. Adults are uniformly golden-yellow, juveniles somewhat paler. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Damselfish?

The Damselfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a plain pattern. Bright yellow, deep body; plankton-catching reef damselfish of steep reef slopes with current.

Where does the Damselfish live?

The Damselfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Pacific; steep outer reef slopes.

How big does the Damselfish get?

The Damselfish grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Damselfish dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Damselfish edible?

The Damselfish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Damselfish (Amblyglyphidodon aureus) — Pomacentridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Pauline Fey, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Damselfish (Amblyglyphidodon aureus) — Pomacentridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) uwkwaj, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Damselfish (Amblyglyphidodon aureus) — Pomacentridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Pierre Pericard, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Damselfish (Amblyglyphidodon aureus) — Pomacentridae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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All data

Identification

English name
Damselfish verified
Scientific name
Amblyglyphidodon aureus
Family
Pomacentridae
Other names
Golden damsel; Golden damselfish; Golden sergeant; Golden devil verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
13.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold 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)
60.0 verified
Natural range
Western Pacific; steep outer reef slopes. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Zooplankton from the water flow sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups 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
Bright yellow, deep body; plankton-catching reef damselfish of steep reef slopes with current. 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 Amblyglyphidodon

More from the family Pomacentridae

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