Bleeker's Damselfish

Chrysiptera bleekeri

Bleeker's Damselfish is a small reef-associated fish found in the tropical waters of the Western Central Pacific, specifically around Timor, Flores in Indonesia, and the Philippines. It can be identified by its 13 dorsal spines and 13 to 14 dorsal soft rays, along with 2 anal spines and 13 anal soft rays. This species inhabits sheltered inshore reefs and deep coastal reef slopes, usually at depths of 20 meters or more, although it can be found between 3 and 35 meters. Bleeker's Damselfish is typically encountered either singly or in pairs, staying close to the substrate near their burrow. They are diurnal and exhibit distinct pairing during breeding, with males taking on the role of guarding and aerating the demersal eggs that adhere to the substrate. Divers encountering Bleeker's Damselfish might find them near their burrows, often displaying territorial behavior. Despite their small size, they are an interesting species to observe due to their reproductive behaviors. The IUCN Red List categorizes this species as Least Concern.