Paletail Damsel

Appearance

Dark brown to black, black spot on the caudal peduncle, white to yellow tail, small blue spots on the snout, blue-edged dorsal, pectoral and anal fins. Juveniles have a blue body with blue dots on the front of the body and a blue-edged black ocellus on the posterior part of the dorsal fin. Resembles Pomacentrus albicaudatus.
Max. size: 11 cm.

Distribution

Indian Ocean from the Red Sea to South Africa, from the Persian Gulf to the Maldives.

Behavior

Adults can be territorial.

Habitat

Rocky coastal or coral reefs.

Reproduction

Oviparous, reproduction occurs in pairs, the pairing is distinct. The eggs are deposited and adhere to the substrate, then the males protect and aerate them.

Food

Omnivores, they feed on algae, small invertebrates, eggs and zooplankton.