Yellow-Side Damselfish

Amblyglyphidodon flavilatus

The Yellow-side Damselfish is a small, reef-associated fish known for its distinctive coloration. It features a pearly white body with a grayish anterior half and a yellowish posterior half, which gives it its common name. The species has thirteen dorsal spines and eleven to thirteen dorsal soft rays, along with two anal spines and eleven to thirteen anal soft rays. This damselfish is typically found in the western Indian Ocean, particularly in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, inhabiting coastal fringing reefs and reef slopes at depths ranging from 12 to 20 meters. It thrives in warmer waters with temperatures between 22 and 26 °C. The Yellow-side Damselfish is non-migratory and exhibits territorial behavior, often defending areas known as "algal gardens." These gardens are patches of algae that the fish cultivate and maintain. The species is oviparous, with distinct pairing during breeding. The eggs are demersal, adhering to the substrate, and are guarded and aerated by the males. Their diet primarily consists of zooplankton, which they actively feed on in their reef habitats. Divers encountering the Yellow-side Damselfish can expect to see them actively swimming around their territories, often near the substrate where they guard their eggs. The species is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.