Australian Damsel

Pomacentrus australis

The Australian Damsel is a small reef fish found primarily in the southern half of the Great Barrier Reef and along the coast of New South Wales, reaching as far south as Sydney, Australia. It inhabits lagoon and outer reef environments, often seen in open sandy or rubble areas with occasional coral outcrops. Divers might encounter this species either solitarily or in small groups. The Australian Damsel can be identified by its fusiform, compressed body shape, with a maximum length of up to 8 cm. It features 14 dorsal spines and 13 to 14 dorsal soft rays, along with 2 anal spines and 14 to 15 anal soft rays. This species is primarily herbivorous, feeding mainly on algae. It exhibits interesting reproductive behavior, being oviparous with distinct pairing during the breeding season. The eggs are demersal, meaning they adhere to the substrate, and the males take on the role of guarding and aerating them until they hatch. Divers exploring depths between 5 to 35 meters might spot the Australian Damsel, which is considered harmless to humans. The species is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.