Animal Species:Immaculate Damsel, Mecaenichthys immaculatus (Ogilby, 1885)
The Immaculate Damsel has a pointed head and large eyes. The species is only known from Australian waters.
An Immaculate Damsel at Bass Point
Sascha Schulz
© Sascha Schulz
Alternative Name/s
Green Puller
Identification
The Immaculate Damsel has a pointed head and large eyes. The soft-rayed part of the dorsal fin is taller, with a shorter base than the preceding spinous portion. It is silvery-grey above. The median fins have blue margins. Juveniles look very different to adults. They are orange and blue, resembling juveniles of the genus Parma.
Size range
The species grows to 15 cm in length.
Distribution
The Immaculate Damsel is endemic to Australia. It is known from marine waters of southern Queensland to southern 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 Immaculate Damsel specimens in the Australian Museum.
Classification
- Species:
- immaculatus
- Genus:
- Mecaenichthys
- Family:
- Pomacentridae
- Order:
- Perciformes
- Class:
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
References
- Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
Mark McGrouther
, Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:
Tags fishes, ichthyology, Immaculate Damsel, Mecaenichthys immaculatus, Pomacentridae, silver, green, blue, pink, orange, 'normal fish', 10 cm - 30 cm, countershaded, marine, adult, big eyes,
