Ambon Damsel, Pomacentrus amboinensis (Bleeker, 1868)
The species has also been called the Amboina Damselfish, Amboina Demoiselle and Pallid Damsel-fish.
Click to enlarge image
© Australian Museum
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Pomacentrus
- Species
- amboinensis
- Family
- Pomacentridae
- Order
- Perciformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum
- Vertebrata
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- The Ambon Damsel grows to 11 cm in length.
Introduction
The Ambon Damsel occurs mostly on coral reefs. It can be recognised by its colouration.
Identification
The Ambon Damsel is yellow to pale mauve with dark scale margins. There is a spot at the top of the operculum and another on the upper pectoral fin base. The head has pink to blue blotches. Juveniles have an ocellus on the soft dorsal fin. The ocellus fades as the fish grows.
© Andy Lewis
Habitat
It occurs mostly on coral reefs.
Distribution
The species occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-Pacific.
In Australia it is known from off north-western Western Australia, around the north of the country and south to the northern coast of New South Wales. Juveniles have been recorded as far south as the central coast of New South Wales.
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.
- Myers, R.F. 1999. Micronesian Reef Fishes. Coral Graphics. Pp. 330.
- Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.
