Animal Species:Ambon Damsel, Pomacentrus amboinensis (Bleeker, 1868)

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.

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.

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Ambon Damsel specimens in the Australian Museum.

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

1. Allen, G.R. 1991. Damselfishes of the World. Mergus. Pp. 271.
2. Myers, R.F. 1999. Micronesian Reef Fishes. Coral Graphics. Pp. 330.
3. 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 December 2012

Tags fish, ichthyology, Ambon Damsel, Pomacentrus amboinensis, Pomacentridae, yellow, green, mauve, blue, black, 'normal fish', 10 cm - 30 cm, eye like spot, coral reef, marine, adult,