Greyback Damselfish

Chrysiptera caesifrons

The Greyback Damselfish is a small reef fish found in the tropical waters of the Southwest Pacific, including Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Australia. It typically inhabits rocky substrates near the shore, often in gullies just below the surge zone, at depths ranging from 1 to 8 meters. Divers are likely to encounter this species either alone or in small, loose groups. This damselfish can be identified by its distinctive coloration: a pale yellow to whitish body contrasted by a dark bluish to grey region covering the snout, upper head, and the anterodorsal part of the body, including the spinous dorsal fin. It reaches a maximum length of 4.9 cm and has a compressed body shape. The dorsal fin is characterized by 8 spines and 12 to 14 soft rays, while the anal fin has 2 spines and 12 to 14 soft rays. However, it is considered harmless to humans and is a typical inhabitant of its marine environment.