Pomacentrus moluccensis Bleeker, 1853
Lemon damsel
Pomacentrus moluccensis
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Pomacentridae (Damselfishes), subfamily: Pomacentrinae
Max. size:  9 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 60 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Andaman Sea and Rowley Shoals in the eastern Indian Ocean to Fiji, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to Lord Howe Island. Recently recorded from Tonga (Ref. 53797).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 13-13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-15; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 14-15. Description: Body color is uniformly yellow (Ref. 48636). Pectoral fin base with spot small orange (but not in Philippine fish). Body depth 1.9-2.0 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Adults inhabit clear lagoon and seaward reefs among branching corals. They occur in small aggregations. Feed mainly on algae and planktonic crustaceans (Ref. 7247). 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). Diurnal species (Ref. 54980; 113699). Maximum depth reported taken from Ref. 128797.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 23 September 2021 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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