Pomacentrus amboinensis Click to enlarge image
Pomacentrus amboinensis, one of the fish species being studied for it’s ultra violet radiation avoidance behaviour at the Lizard Island Research Station. Image: Nicola Fraser
© Australian Museum

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Pomacentrus
    Species
    amboinensis
    Family
    Pomacentridae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The Ambon Damsel grows to 11 cm in length.

Introduction

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

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.


Ambon Damselfish, Pomacentrus amboinensis
Ambon Damselfish, Pomacentrus amboinensis The species occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-Pacific. Image: Andy Lewis
© Andy Lewis

Habitat

It occurs mostly on coral reefs.

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 data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia

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.