New 🐟 Mercury Safety Guide & Omega-3 Rankings Updated for 2026. View Omega-3 Rankings →

🌊 Marine Least Concern 🌡️ Tropical

Richardson's reef-damsel

Pomachromis richardsoni Snyder, 1909
Max Length
6 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3
Depth
5–25 m
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
15.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
reef

📖 Overview

A common species found in coral and rocky reefs areas exposed to ocean swells . Adults form loose groups near the bottom . Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding . Eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate . Males guard and aerate the eggs . Diurnal species.

Scientific Name
Pomachromis richardsoni
Authority
Snyder, 1909
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
6 cm
Depth Range
5–25 m
Trophic Level
3
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
15.00/100
Migration
Non-migratory
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

Genus
Pomachromis
Pomachromis
Species
Richardson's reef-damsel
Pomachromis richardsoni

🐟 Physical Description

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

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Richardson's reef-damsel is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 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 5 - 25 m . Tropical; 15°S - 20°S West Pacific: widespread but known only from a few scattered localities.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🪸 Reef Associated
Migration
Non-migratory
Trophic Level
3±0.1

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01445 × L3 (TL)
Max TL
6cm
Dorsal Spines
14
Dorsal Rays
14
Anal Spines
2
Anal Rays
13

🌡️ 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
15.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3
Predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Snyder, 1909

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
0 Observations logged on Aquareap

No observations yet - be the first to log one!

View all observations for Richardson's reef-damsel ↗
Suggest an Edit

Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.

Link to a scientific paper, FishBase, or other authoritative source
Report an Issue

Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.