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Batavia damsel (Pomacentrus simsiang) — Pomacentridae

Batavia damsel

Pomacentrus simsiang
Family: Pomacentridae
LC · Least Concern

The Batavia damsel (Pomacentrus simsiang) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacentridae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
7 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–10.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The Batavia damsel is a small damselfish from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 7 cm and has a grey-blue body with fine light-blue lines on the head and a yellow tinge on the belly. As a territorial reef-dweller it lives over rubble and reef bottoms in shallow water and feeds on algae, small zooplankton and benthic invertebrates. Males guard the eggs laid on stone. The fish is harmless to humans. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Batavia damsel?

The Batavia damsel has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Batavia damsel live?

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

How big does the Batavia damsel get?

The Batavia damsel grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Batavia damsel dangerous to humans?

No, the Batavia damsel is harmless to humans.

Is the Batavia damsel edible?

The Batavia damsel is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Batavia-juffertje verified
English name
Batavia damsel verified
Scientific name
Pomacentrus simsiang
Family
Pomacentridae
Other names
Blueback damsel; Molucca damsel; Moluccan damselfish; Pink-spotted damsel verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
10.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

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

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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