Dr. Rick Stuart-Smith, Reef Life Survey, Australien
Info
Gerry Allen described this damselfish on the basis of two specimens collected in Churchill Reef off the north-west coast of Australia.
In the meantime, Pomacentrus limosus has been recorded from the Kimberley coast in the north via Churchill Reef to the Dampier Archipelago on the north-west coast of Australia.
Churchill Reef is an area with heavy silting, very limited underwater visibility and strong tidal fluctuations of about 6 - 8 meters, in such habitats the small blue damselfish seems to feel comfortable and safe.
Pomacentrus limosus is pale gray overall, almost whitish with scattered blue spots on the head and a narrow black border distally on the dorsal fin.
Juveniles have a pale black spot, about the size of the pupil, at the base of the soft dorsal rays 8 - 11, directly at the base of the dorsal fin.
This eye spot is only visible in juvenile animals and disappears in the adult phase.
Etymology:
The species name is "limosus" (Latin) meaning "muddy", referring to muddy habitat where this fish is found.
Similar species: Pomacentrus amboinensis Bleeker, 1868
We would like to express our special thanks to Prof. Dr. Rick Stuart-Smith, University of Tasmania, Institute for Marine & Antarctic Studies, and President of Reef Life Survey,
for the first two photos of this beautiful species.
https://reeflifesurvey.com/
In the meantime, Pomacentrus limosus has been recorded from the Kimberley coast in the north via Churchill Reef to the Dampier Archipelago on the north-west coast of Australia.
Churchill Reef is an area with heavy silting, very limited underwater visibility and strong tidal fluctuations of about 6 - 8 meters, in such habitats the small blue damselfish seems to feel comfortable and safe.
Pomacentrus limosus is pale gray overall, almost whitish with scattered blue spots on the head and a narrow black border distally on the dorsal fin.
Juveniles have a pale black spot, about the size of the pupil, at the base of the soft dorsal rays 8 - 11, directly at the base of the dorsal fin.
This eye spot is only visible in juvenile animals and disappears in the adult phase.
Etymology:
The species name is "limosus" (Latin) meaning "muddy", referring to muddy habitat where this fish is found.
Similar species: Pomacentrus amboinensis Bleeker, 1868
We would like to express our special thanks to Prof. Dr. Rick Stuart-Smith, University of Tasmania, Institute for Marine & Antarctic Studies, and President of Reef Life Survey,
for the first two photos of this beautiful species.
https://reeflifesurvey.com/
