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Green puller (Pristotis obtusirostris) — Pomacentridae

Green puller

Pristotis obtusirostris
Family: Pomacentridae

The Green puller (Pristotis obtusirostris) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacentridae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
14 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–80.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific, on sandy bottoms around reefs.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The gulf damselfish is a reef fish of the family Pomacentridae from the Indo-West Pacific. The species reaches about 14 cm and has a streamlined, greenish-grey body. Unlike most damselfishes it lives mainly along continental margins on flat sand and rubble bottoms around patch reefs of lagoons and on trawling grounds. Adults often swim in small groups out in the open above the sand and rely on speed to escape predators rather than diving into shelter. The diet consists of zooplankton. The eggs are laid on the bottom and guarded by the male.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Green puller?

The Green puller has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly green and shows a plain pattern. Lives out in the open above sandy bottoms and relies on speed to escape, unlike other damselfishes.

Where does the Green puller live?

The Green puller lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific, on sandy bottoms around reefs.

How big does the Green puller get?

The Green puller grows to a maximum of about 14 cm. On average the species is around 10 cm.

Is the Green puller dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Green puller edible?

Yes, the Green puller is commonly eaten.

More photos

Green puller (Pristotis obtusirostris) — Pomacentridae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Sahat Ratmuangkhwang (CC BY 3.0)
Green puller (Pristotis obtusirostris) — Pomacentridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) John Sear, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Green puller (Pristotis obtusirostris) — Pomacentridae — 4
Erik Schlögl (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Green puller (Pristotis obtusirostris) — Pomacentridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Erik Schlögl, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Green puller verified
Scientific name
Pristotis obtusirostris
Family
Pomacentridae
Other names
Green puller; Gulf damsel; Gulf damselfish; Roaming damsel; Jerdon's damsel-fish; Jerdon's demoiselle verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14.0 verified
Average length (cm)
10.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Green 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)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
80.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific, on sandy bottoms around reefs. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Zooplankton 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
Lives out in the open above sandy bottoms and relies on speed to escape, unlike other damselfishes. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
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 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 Pristotis

More from the family Pomacentridae

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