- Check the sub-map for the specimen information files -
DAMSELS - POMACENTRIDAE
There are about three hundred and twenty different species of Pomacentridae of which a hundred live in the Indian Ocean. Most are found in tropical or temperate waters and some live in brackish or fresh water. Some species prefer coral or rocky-rich reefs while others live around sand and algae-rich areas. Most damsels are territorial, especially the algae eating ones like the Stegastes family. These damsels defend their territory and are very aggressive towards egg eating wrasse (Labridae), butterflyfish (Chaetodontidae), and others who threaten their place. This will even include divers. Some species feed on plankton and always swim in groups. Others like the Stegastes family live alone and feed mainly on algae. Some have their own "algae" garden. In this area they will take out the algae which they don't like to make more room for the tasty varieties. All the other damsel families feed on most things, but prefer small invertebrates and plankton. Reproduction happens in a very special ritual and is different with every species. When mating time arrives they start swimming after each other before they side spin, side by side in circles. This will go on till the female starts to attach the sometimes thousand eggs against something solid like stones, rocks, shells, coral or even tin cans and bottles. The eggs then will be guarded by the parents. They take care of the egg-mass by feeding it oxygen-rich water by using their fins. As careful parents, they keep an eye on all the eggs and pick out the dead ones. The larvae will come out after two to seven days. They will be picked up by the current and move them to other areas where they will grow up. The only damsel family whose larvae don't go pelagic are the Acanthochromis. They grow up next to their parents and feed on their parents, slime layer around their bodies.
- Check the sub-map for the specimen information files -
