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Jewel damsel (Plectroglyphidodon lacrymatus) — Pomacentridae

Jewel damsel

Plectroglyphidodon lacrymatus
Family: Pomacentridae

The Jewel damsel (Plectroglyphidodon lacrymatus) is a fish of the family Pomacentridae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-Pacific; coral-rich reef flats and slopes.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The jewel damsel is a damselfish (Pomacentridae) from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a dark-brown body studded with shiny, jewel-like blue spots, to which the name refers. It inhabits coral-rich reef flats and slopes, where it territorially defends a patch of filamentous algae that it tends as a 'garden' and grazes. Besides algae it eats small invertebrates. The male guards the eggs laid on the bottom. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Jewel damsel?

The Jewel damsel is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Glossy blue jewel spots; territorially maintains and defends an algal garden.

Where does the Jewel damsel live?

The Jewel damsel is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-Pacific; coral-rich reef flats and slopes.

How big does the Jewel damsel get?

The Jewel damsel grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Jewel damsel dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Jewel damsel edible?

The Jewel damsel is not usually eaten.

More photos

Jewel damsel (Plectroglyphidodon lacrymatus) — Pomacentridae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — DRVIP93 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Jewel damsel (Plectroglyphidodon lacrymatus) — Pomacentridae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — DRVIP93 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Jewel damsel (Plectroglyphidodon lacrymatus) — Pomacentridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Debra Baker, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Jewel damsel (Plectroglyphidodon lacrymatus) — Pomacentridae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — This photo has been taken by Matthieu Sontag (User:Mirgolth) and released under the licenses stated below. You are free to use it for any purpose as long as you credit me as author, Wikimedia Commons as site and follow the terms of the licenses. Could you be kind enough to leave me a message on this page to inform me about your use of this picture. (CC BY-SA 3.0)
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All data

Identification

English name
Jewel damsel sourced
Scientific name
Plectroglyphidodon lacrymatus
Family
Pomacentridae
Other names
Whitespotted devil; Jewel damselfish; Jeweldamsel; Yellowtail

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.0 sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
Indo-Pacific; coral-rich reef flats and slopes. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Filamentous algae and small invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary 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
Glossy blue jewel spots; territorially maintains and defends an algal garden. 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 Plectroglyphidodon

More from the family Pomacentridae

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