Dark Damsel

Description: Variable body color, pale gray and various shades of brown from tan to nearly blackish (geographic varieties); each scale with blackish streak near margin appearing as narrow transverse bands. Usually bright yellow iris (except the Indonesian Pacific form); a bluish band across preorbital bone from lower front corner of eye to mouth; pale gray to whitish lips. Spinous part of dorsal fin with translucent submarginal band; median and pelvic fins gray to brown, except the Indian Ocean variety; pectoral fins nearly translucent to dusky brown, black spot at base of uppermost ray. Juveniles usually have blue-bordered dorsal and anal fins (Ref. 1602). Body depth 1.6-2.1 in SL (Ref. 90102).

Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205). Monogamous mating is observed as both facultative and social (Ref. 52884). Eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate (Ref. 205). Males guard and aerate the eggs (Ref. 205).

Dorsal spines (total): 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15 - 17; Analspines: 2; Analsoft rays: 12 - 14

Occurs inshore (Ref. 75154). Diurnal species (Ref. 113699). Adults inhabit rocky and coral reefs exposed to mild to moderate surge (Ref. 9710). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). They occur solitary among boulders (Ref. 48636). Territorial in areas where filamentous algae cover rocks and dead coral (Ref. 9710). Monogamous (Ref. 52884).

Adults inhabit rocky and coral reefs exposed to mild to moderate surge (Ref. 9710). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). They occur solitary among boulders (Ref. 48636). Territorial in areas where filamentous algae cover rocks and dead coral (Ref. 9710). Monogamous (Ref. 52884). Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205). Eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate (Ref. 205). Males guard and aerate the eggs (Ref. 205).

fisheries: minor commercial; price category: unknown; price reliability: