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Small, active and often brilliantly colored, the damsel fish is found mostly in the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific and Atlantic oceans, although a few species can be found in the more temperate areas and some even in fresh waters. Often referred to as the Demoiselle fish, the damsel fish is known to make its home along coral reef areas where they can be observed swimming in schools or pairs. Amazingly there are some species of the damsel fish that are even known to live within the sea anemones reaching tentacles. This species is known as the anemone fishes and because of its association with the anemones, it is one of the better known species. One of the more interesting fact about the anemone fishes is that each species appears to have a specific species of anemone they choose to live among. All anemone fishes, which are often called clown fish, are so closely related in body shape, color and markings that it is very difficult to distinguish the different species. In most cases they are yellow-orange in color with three brilliant white stripes but some species range from rose to deep red with the placement of the white bands located in other areas of the body.
Oddly enough, even though the anemone is known to be deadly to many other species of fish the anemone fishes appear to remain immune as long as they are healthy. Anemone fishes spend most of their lives within the stinging branches of the anemone swimming, sleeping, eating, hiding from danger and even laying their eggs at the base where they remain protected from most predators. The only time this fish becomes susceptible to the anemone poison cells or is eaten by the anemone is when it has become diseased. The anemone fish has even been observed taking food from the anemone's mouth without any threat of danger. The clown fish has become a popular aquarium specimen and has even been successfully bred in captivity. Even so, once these fish are placed in an aquarium they tend to loose their sense of choosing a special species of anemone to live within, tending to associate with those they may not encounter in their natural habitats.
The damsel fish are not aggressive fish that will defend its chosen territory at all cost. Closely related to the cichlids, these fish from the suborder of perch displays a variety of coloring from blues, reds, oranges to yellow. Nasal openings is found on each side of the short head and in most of the species the tail is forked. In most species their food sources are found in the vast fields of seaweed although some species feed on zooplankton and copepods. This fish is well known for defending its home and food source from other herbivores that attempt to intrude on their territory. It is even believed that the damsel fish might possibly cultivate its algae fields by removing species of the plant that are undesirable. Some of the more interesting species of damsel fishes that are kept in aquariums might include the sergeant majors which are known for the the amazing contrast of their blue bodies and yellow-brown fins. The beau gregory and yellowtail damsel fish are also known to make a colorful addition to an aquarium. The fresh water species of the damsel fish, Pomacentrus, can usually be found in areas where they have migrated into rivers from the Indo-Pacific areas. Like other species of damsel fishes they feed mostly on plant matter and in some species small animals trapped on the waters surface.
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