Damselfishes Of The World book by Dr Gerald R. Allen. Hardcover, 271 pages. Large size, 8 1/2" x 11".

Damselfishes are an extremely important group of ubiquitous, circumtropical coral reef fishes. Along with the clown-anemone fishes (Amphiprion, Premnas) damselfishes make up the family Pomacentridae, with some 28 genera and @ 321 species.

Damselfishes (Subfamily Chrominae) provide a vital link both as reef forage fishes as well as excellent beginner marine aquarium specimens. Their extensive use is well-warranted considering their diversity, beauty and tolerance of chemical and physical conditions, gregariousness when crowded and general compatibility with fishes and invertebrates. Most damselfish species accept all types of food eagerly and are very disease resistant.

Classification:

The family's taxonomy in currently poorly known, and a wide open field with species "groups" blending/grading between different island groups. On the higher taxonomic plane, Pomacentrids are closely related to cichlids which they resemble in structure, form and behavior. Both families are in the same Sub-Order of the largest Order of fishes, the Perciformes. These two families are notable within the group for being the only two families with only one pair of nostrils (nares) in most species.

Damselfishes are generally small with some species, the California garibaldi (Hypsypops rubicunda) and the giant Cortez damsel (Microspathodon dorsalis) reaching about a foot in length. Many are brilliantly hued in blues, greens, violets, reds and browns; several appear metallic. Quite a few damsels are or become drab brown or olive in later life and there are sometimes striking color and structural differences between the sexes.

Author : Dr.Gerald R.Allen.
Manufacturer : Instant Ocean
Number Of Pages : 271
Publication Date : 1991
Publisher : Aquarium Systems inc.
Studio : BioLogic Aquarium Products