Pomacentrus coelestis
Neon Damsel
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Actinopterygii
Order
Perciformes
Family
Pomacentridae
Genus
Pomacentrus
Species
Pomacentrus coelestis
Colours
Distinguishing features
Distinguishing features still need to be specified.
Size
- Up to 10 cm (TL) - applies to Commonly around 8.5cm TL.
Depth range
- From 1 m to 20 m
Synonyms
Similar taxa
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Animalia:
South Seas Devil (species: Chrysiptera taupou)
There are a few things to look for to separate these. Given a side view of a relaxed fish, Pomacentrus coelestis have a longer, more oval body shape than Chrysiptera taupou, which have a shorter body and a pointier snout. Most Chrysiptera, including Chrysiptera taupou, show a dark line from the tip of the snout through the eye, and some speckling of other colors on the body. Pomacentrus coelestis has a smoother, less marked blue. The pale belly and yellowish tails in this photo could be either species. Chrysiptera taupou males have yellow bellies, but females often have pale white bellies instead. There are two field marks specific to Chrysiptera taupou to look for: a small black spot at the rear end of the dorsal fin, and a pale saddle on the tail base. (Thanks to Mark Rosenstein) -
Animalia:
Sapphire Damsel (species: Pomacentrus pavo)
Pomacentrus pavo has a vertical black streak on each scale and lacks a thin blue margin on the tail in contrast to the more common Pomacentrus coelestis.
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution
Distribution and habitat preferences
Found in zones of rubble and open substrate on coral reef margins often darting in and out of coral. When they’re young, they stay around fire coral for protection. As they get older, their schools grow in size and they explore parts of the reef. In more temperate waters they are found on rocky reefs (FishBase).
