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ALEXANDRE MEINESZ

Mediterranean Damselfish

Distribution : Mediterranean · Atlantic Ocean

Above rocks, the Mediterranean damselfish often brings the scene to life with its dense shoals. The electric-blue young immediately catch the eye, while dark adults feed on plankton in open water and guard their nests during the breeding season.

Habitat of Mediterranean Damselfish Habitat
Wreck, Seagrass meadow, Rocky habitat, Coralligenous habitat
Depth range of Mediterranean Damselfish Depth
5-50 m
Biological group of Mediterranean Damselfish Group
Ecological role of Mediterranean Damselfish Role
Predator

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

The Mediterranean damselfish is a small fish with an oval, compressed body ending in a deeply forked tail.Young fish are easily recognised by their bright blue colour, while adults become dark, ranging from dark grey to black.It has a small mouth and large eyes adapted to catching small prey in open water. It rarely exceeds around fifteen centimetres in length.

WHERE DOES IT LIVE?

The Mediterranean damselfish lives in groups above rocky seabeds, drop-offs and coralligenous areas.It occurs from the surface down to about 50 metres, sometimes deeper in winter when shoals descend into deeper water.It is very common in the Mediterranean and also found in the eastern Atlantic.

WHAT DOES IT EAT?

The Mediterranean damselfish feeds mainly on zooplankton caught in open water.It can also consume larvae and very small organisms drifting with the currents.

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Mediterranean Damselfish

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Other species — Demersal fish

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Same habitat and depth

Wreck species Seagrass meadow species Rocky seabed species Coralligenous habitat species

Same ecological role and depth

Predatory species

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