Pomacentrus lepidogenys Fowler & Bean, 1928
Scaly damsel
photo by Malaer, P.

Family:  Pomacentridae (Damselfishes), subfamily: Pomacentrinae
Max. size:  9 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 12 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: including Andaman Sea (Phuket), Indo-Malayan Archipelago, the GBR, and islands of Melanesia and Tonga; occurs northward to the Ryukyu Islands. in Japan.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 13-13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-15; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 14-15. Description: Two forms: northern, with all yellow dorsal fin, and southern, with little yellow (Ref. 48636). Body depth 2.0-2.4 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Adults inhabit lagoons, passages, and outer reef slopes. Feed on zooplankton in the water column, a short distance from the bottom. They occur singly or in small groups (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. 113699).
IUCN Red List Status: Near Threatened (NT); Date assessed: 23 September 2021 (A2c) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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