WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Red Sea Dascyllus

Dascyllus marginatus

Also known as: Arabian Damselfish, Black-bordered Damselfish, Border Damselfish, Half Moon Damselfish, Humbug, Marginate Damselfish, Marginate Dascyllus, Marginated Damselfish, Margined Dascyllus

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2022
Adult
@Jorge · Liveaboard, Egypt · September 20121 / 5
01

Overview

Found in schools amongst the branches of Acropora and Porites corals over lagoons and fringing coral reefs.
Western Indian Ocean - Gulf of Oman, Red Sea

Damselfish are egg layers.
First they clear a site ready for a nest, then engage in a mating dance with rapid swimming and fin movements, during this time the males will often turn a shade or two darker and may display white blotches. Spawning occurs at dawn.

02

How to identify

Pattern
black spot
Behaviour
schooling

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Western Indian Ocean
  • Country only · 5
LIVES IN

Found in schools amongst the branches of Acropora and Porites corals over lagoons and fringing coral reefs.

04

Adult photos 5

05

Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumChordata
    3. classTeleostei
    4. orderOvalentaria incertae sedis
    5. familyPomacentridae
    6. genusDascyllus
    7. speciesDascyllus marginatus (Rüppell, 1829)

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Damselfishes (Pomacentridae)