Pomacentrus coelestis Jordan & Starks, 1901
Neon damselfish
Pomacentrus coelestis
photo by Greenfield, J.

Family:  Pomacentridae (Damselfishes), subfamily: Pomacentrinae
Max. size:  9 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 20 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Eastern Indian Ocean and Western Central Pacific: Sri Lanka to the Line and Tuamoto islands, north to southern Japan, south to Rowley Shoals and Lord Howe Island.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 13-13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-15; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 14-15. Description: Yellow-orange tail and posterior parts of dorsal and anal fins (Ref. 48636). Body depth 2.5-2.6 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Adults inhabit lagoon and seaward reefs, close to the bottom among rubble beds. Feed on zooplankton and to a lesser extent on benthic algae. Juveniles often school among soft corals. Adults in small groups or congregate in large numbers over favorable sections of reef (Ref. 48636). 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).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 23 September 2021 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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