Pomacentrus tripunctatus Cuvier, 1830
Threespot damsel
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Pomacentridae (Damselfishes), subfamily: Pomacentrinae
Max. size:  7.5 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 3 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Sri Lanka, Andaman Sea (Phuket), and Indo-Australian Archipelago eastward to New Britain, Solomon Islands, Santa Cruz Islands, and Vanuatu.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 13-13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-15; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 14-15. Description: A dull greenish black species with a small black saddle-spot on the caudal peduncle, edged with blue. Juveniles with a blue-edged ocelli near the end of the dorsal fin (Ref. 48636). Body depth 1.8-2.0 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  A shallow water species, solitary, in holes of small rocks on sandy bottom with coral rubbles. Adults inhabit shallow bays, silty coastal reefs and harbors with sparse coral and algal growth. Feed mainly on benthic algae (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: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 October 2021 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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