Alexander's Damsel, Pomacentrus alexanderae (Evermann & Searle, 1907)
Click to enlarge image
© Erik Schlögl
Fast Facts
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Classification
- Genus
- Pomacentrus
- Species
- alexanderae
- Family
- Pomacentridae
- Order
- Perciformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum
- Vertebrata
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- The species grows to 11 cm in length.
-
- Habitats
- coral reef
-
View Bio Regions
- Bio Regions
- Northwest Shelf Province
Introduction
Alexander's Damsel is small, light grey fish that lives in lagoons and on both inshore and offshore coral reefs.
Identification
Alexander's Damsel is light grey with a black pectoral fin base. It looks similar to a number of other damselfish species but can be distinguished by a combination of characteristics that include body dimensions, counts of fin rays, scales and gill rakers.
Habitat
It is usually seen at depths between 5 m and 30 m in lagoons and on both inshore and offshore coral reefs.
Distribution
Alexander's Damsel occurs in tropical marine waters of the Eastern Indian Ocean and Western Pacific. In Australia it is known from north-western Western Australia.
The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.
References
- Allen, G.R. 1991. Damselfishes of the World. Mergus. Pp. 271.
- Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
- Allen, G.R. & R. Swainston. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 201.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1992. Tropical Reef-Fishes of the Western Pacific. Indonesia and adjacent Waters. Penerbit PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama. Pp. 314.
