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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🌡️ Tropical

Neon damselfish

Pomacentrus coelestis Jordan & Starks, 1901
Max Length
9 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.2
Depth
1–20 m
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
20.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
reef

📖 Overview

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 . Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding . Eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate . Males guard and aerate the eggs .

Scientific Name
Pomacentrus coelestis
Authority
Jordan & Starks, 1901
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
9 cm
Depth Range
1–20 m
Latitude
32°S – 36°N
Trophic Level
3.2
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
20.00/100
Migration
Non-migratory
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 15; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 14 - 15. : fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Neon damselfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Neon damselfish is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous
Spawn Location
Demersal

Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding . Eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate . Males guard and aerate the eggs .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 1 - 20 m . Tropical; 36°N - 32°S, 79°E - 133°W Central Pacific: Sri Lanka to the Line and Tuamoto islands, north to southern Japan, south to Rowley Shoals and Lord Howe Island.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🪸 Reef Associated
Migration
Non-migratory
Trophic Level
3.2±0.28
🐠 Schooling
Food Items

zooplankton and to a lesser extent on benthic algae

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01413 × L2.95 (TL)
Max TL
9cm
Dorsal Spines
13
Dorsal Rays
14
Anal Spines
2
Anal Rays
15

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2021

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
20.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.2
Predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Tropical
Latitude Range
36°N – 32°S
Described By
Jordan & Starks, 1901

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Neon damselfish is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
  • Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
  • Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
  • Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
  • Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

Nutrition

Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central

Nutrient Amount
Protein 18.6 g
Omega-3 (total) 153 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Neon damselfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Language Common Names
🇬🇧English Blue Damsel · blue damselfish · Common Blue Damsel · Neon Damsel · Neon Damselfish
🏳️Catalan Damisel·la blau del Pacífic
🌍CES sapín žlutoocasý
🇩🇪German Neon-Demoiselle
🇫🇷French Demoiselle céleste · Demoiselle néon
🇮🇹Italian Castagnola azzurra · Castagnola neon · Damigella · Damigella azzurra · Damigella neon
🇯🇵Japanese Sorasuzumedai · ソラスズメダイ
🇰🇷Korean 파랑돔
🌍MSA Gombing
🇵🇹Portuguese Donzela-azul-neon
🇷🇺Russian Неоновая рыба-ласточка · Помацентрус неоновый
🌍SMO Tu'u'u-segasega
🇪🇸Spanish Damita Neón
🌍TAH 'atoti
🌍THA ปลาสลิดหินนีออนฟ้าหางเหลือง
🇨🇳Chinese 厚殼仔 · 藍雀鯛 · 變色雀鯛 · 霓虹雀鯛 · 霓虹雀鲷 · 青紺仔 · 青魚仔

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Pomacentrus coelistis Jordan & Starks 1901 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 6 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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