New Species Of Damselfish:
A small team of ichthyologists recently discovered a new species of damselfish living off the shores of the Maldives.
- Damselfish are commonly found in warm, tropical regions, but they can also be seen in subtropical zones.
- They are mostly marine, found in the Atlantic, India and Pacific oceans, but can be found in brackish or freshwater habitats.
- There are about 250 species of damselfish in the family Pomacentridae, a group which also includes clownfish.
- They come in a range of colors and patterns, from the aptly named four striped damselfish to the vibrant blue damselfish.
- Across all species, there are a few things they have in common: their bodies are deeper than they are wide, and they have forked tails. Plus, they don’t get too big—the largest damselfish, the Garibaldi, grows only to about a foot long.
- They are lively and quick, and are usually strongly territorial and aggressive.
- Some feed mainly on plant matter or small animals suspended in the water; others are omnivorous.
- Most damselfishes live along reefs, but certain species, the anemone fishes, are noted for living among the stinging tentacles of sea anemones.
- Some species of damselfish are “algae farmers,” meaning they actually nibble away at the habitat to cultivate algae growth. They bite unwanted algae to remove it, allowing other, more desirable algae species to grow. This is part of a balanced coral reef ecosystem
- However, some damselfish can eat live coral tissue in their quest to create an algae garden. Too many damselfish can stress out an already stre
