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Dusky damsel-fish (Pomacentrus littoralis) — Pomacentridae

Dusky damsel-fish

Pomacentrus littoralis
Family: Pomacentridae

The Dusky damsel-fish (Pomacentrus littoralis) is a brackish-water fish of the family Pomacentridae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
11 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0.0–5.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The smoky damsel is a damselfish (Pomacentridae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 11 cm and has a stocky, greyish to brownish body. Adults inhabit rock, rubble or coral reefs, usually close inshore, and visit reefs submerged by high tides. They occur in small loose groups or solitarily. As an omnivore it grazes algae and picks small zooplankton and invertebrates. The male guards the eggs laid on the bottom. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dusky damsel-fish?

The Dusky damsel-fish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Dusky damsel-fish live?

The Dusky damsel-fish lives in brackish water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Dusky damsel-fish get?

The Dusky damsel-fish grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Dusky damsel-fish dangerous to humans?

No, the Dusky damsel-fish is harmless to humans.

Is the Dusky damsel-fish edible?

The Dusky damsel-fish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kust-koraaljuffer sourced
English name
Dusky damsel-fish verified
Scientific name
Pomacentrus littoralis
Family
Pomacentridae
Other names
Smoky damsel; Smoky damselfish; Tidal damsel verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey 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
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
5.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

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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