Damselfishes

Indian dascyllus (Dascyllus abudafur)

The Indian dascyllus (Dascyllus abudafur) belongs to the family Pomacentridae (damselfishes) and is endemic to the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. It is an omnivore and usually seen in pairs or alone. It reaches about 8 cm and is found at 1–50 m depth. IUCN conservation status: Not Evaluated. It is not dangerous to divers.

Indian dascyllus (Dascyllus abudafur), a Red Sea fish of the damselfishes family
Photo: iNaturalist / Wikimedia Commons

Quick facts

Scientific nameDascyllus abudafur
FamilyDamselfishes (Pomacentridae)
Common name (IT)Damigella coda a forchetta
Common name (EN)Indian dascyllus
Maximum size8 cm
Depth1–50 m
DistributionEndemic to the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden
IUCN statusNE — Not Evaluated

Description

Endemic to the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden; it does not occur elsewhere in the Indo-Pacific.

Where it lives

Endemic to the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden; it does not occur elsewhere in the Indo-Pacific.

  • Red Sea
  • Gulf of Aden

Frequently asked questions

What family does the Indian dascyllus belong to?
The Indian dascyllus (Dascyllus abudafur) belongs to the family Pomacentridae (damselfishes).
Is the Indian dascyllus dangerous?
It is not dangerous to divers. As with any reef animal, do not touch or handle it.
Is the Indian dascyllus endemic to the Red Sea?
Yes — it lives only in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
How big does the Indian dascyllus get?
It reaches a maximum length of about 8 cm.

Explore the Indian dascyllus in 3D in the interactive atlas →