Pomacentrus chrysurus
Whitetail Damsel
©Andy: Juvenile Whitetail Damsel (Pomacentrus chrysurus). Adults lose the yellow colouration and do not have the ocellated spot on rear dorsal fin.
©David Witherall and Tammy Garner: Whitetail Damsel (Pomacentrus chrysurus), Ocean Free, Green Island
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Actinopterygii
Order
Perciformes
Family
Pomacentridae
Genus
Pomacentrus
Species
Pomacentrus chrysurus
Colours
Distinguishing features
Grey/brown with white tail, yellowish pectoral fins. Juveniles have a black spot outlined in blue at the rear of the dorsal fin.
Size
- Up to 9 cm (Total Length)
Depth range
- From 0 m to 3 m
Synonyms
Similar taxa
Comments
These fish are algae grazers and choose territories behind corals and in lagoons that are protected from strong currents. They are like organic gardeners that find a peaceful spot out of the hustle bustle of the city and spend their days looking after their vegie patch.
by David Witherall
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution
Distribution and habitat preferences
Adults inhabit sandy areas of lagoons and inshore reefs around rock or coral outcrops (FishBase).
Web resources
References
- Almany, G.R., LF. Peacock, C. Syms, M.I. McCormick and G.P. Jones (2007). Predators target rare prey in coral reef fish assemblages, Oecologia, 152: 751-761. LIRS catalog number 1053.
- Burger, M.A.A. and R.D. Adlard (2010). Four new species of Kudoa Meglitsch, 1947 (Myxosporea: Multivalvulida) from Australia with recommendations for species descriptions in the Kudoidae, Parasitology, 137: 793-814. LIRS catalog number 1318.
- Caley, M.J. (1991). Mechanisms of coexistence in communities of coral-reef fishes, Ph.D. thesis, University of Sydney. LIRS catalog number 307.
- View all references