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Dark damsel (Pomacentrus aquilus) — Pomacentridae

Dark damsel

Pomacentrus aquilus
Family: Pomacentridae

The Dark damsel (Pomacentrus aquilus) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacentridae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–15.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Bahrain, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Madagascar and others

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Description

The dark damsel is a small reef fish (Pomacentridae) from the western Indian Ocean. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a dark grey-blue body with fine blue lines on the head and a faint spot near the pectoral-fin base. As a territorial reef-dweller it lives above shallow coral and rocky reefs and eats algae, zooplankton and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dark damsel?

The Dark damsel has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly blue.

Where does the Dark damsel live?

The Dark damsel lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Bahrain, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Madagascar and others

How big does the Dark damsel get?

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

Is the Dark damsel dangerous to humans?

No, the Dark 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.

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All data

Identification

English name
Dark damsel sourced
Scientific name
Pomacentrus aquilus
Family
Pomacentridae
Other names
Dark damsel verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
15.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Bahrain, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Madagascar and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Territorial
Yes sourced
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 Pomacentrus

More from the family Pomacentridae

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