Black Damsel

Neoglyphidodon melas

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Pomacentridae
Genus: Neoglyphidodon
Species: Neoglyphidodon melas

The black damsel (Neoglyphidodon melas) is a dark adult damselfish whose juveniles look completely different: white with bright yellow and blue fins. As they grow, they slowly darken to a uniform black.

Adults reach around 15-18 cm and live on coral reefs, often near soft corals and giant clams, which form a large part of their diet. They are solitary and territorial.

The black damsel is found across the Indo-West Pacific, including the Philippines, where both the colourful juveniles and dark adults are seen on coral reefs.

Photo: Ben Costamagna, CC BY 4.0, via iNaturalist