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Spot-tail damsel (Pomacentrus opisthostigma) — Pomacentridae

Spot-tail damsel

Pomacentrus opisthostigma
Family: Pomacentridae

The Spot-tail damsel (Pomacentrus opisthostigma) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacentridae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
6.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
6.0–16.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Spot-tail damsel is a damselfish (Pomacentridae) from shallow reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a stocky, blue with a dark tail spot body. As a territorial, day-active fish it fiercely defends a patch of coral or rock and snaps at algae, zooplankton and small invertebrates. It lays its eggs on the bottom, where the male guards them. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spot-tail damsel?

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

Where does the Spot-tail damsel live?

The Spot-tail damsel lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Spot-tail damsel get?

The Spot-tail damsel grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Spot-tail damsel dangerous to humans?

No, the Spot-tail damsel is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Stippvlek-rifbaarsje sourced
English name
Spot-tail damsel sourced
Scientific name
Pomacentrus opisthostigma
Family
Pomacentridae
Other names
Brown damsel; Brown damselfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.5 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)
6.0 verified
Max depth (m)
16.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless 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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