Ambon Damsel, Pomacentrus amboinensis (Bleeker, 1868)

ANIMAL SPECIES:Ambon Damsel, Pomacentrus amboinensis (Bleeker, 1868)

The Ambon Damsel occurs mostly on coral reefs. It can be recognised by its colouration.

Alternative Name/s

The species has also been called the Amboina Damselfish, Amboina Demoiselle and Pallid Damsel-fish.

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.

Size range

The Ambon Damsel grows to 11 cm in length.

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.

Distribution by collection data

Biomaps map of Ambon Damsel specimens in the Australian Museum collection.

What does this mean?

Habitat

It occurs mostly on coral reefs.

Classification

Species:: amboinensis
Genus:: Pomacentrus
Family:: Pomacentridae
Order:: Perciformes
Class:: Actinopterygii
Subphylum:: Vertebrata
Phylum:: Chordata
Kingdom:: Animalia

What does this mean?

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.

Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated: 14 April 2010

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