Amblyglyphidodon flavilatus
A reef-dwelling damselfish with yellow sides, native to the western Indian Ocean.
Amblyglyphidodon flavilatus goes by several common names, including yellow damselfish, yellowfin damselfish, yellow flank damselfish, yellow side damselfish, and yellow-sided damselfish. It belongs to the family Pomacentridae, the group that contains damselfish and clownfish, which is the most diverse and abundant fish family on coral reefs. Allen and Randall first described this species in 1980.
This fish lives on reefs, especially coastal fringing reefs and reef slopes, and stays within a depth range of 12 to 20 meters (39 to 66 feet). It does not migrate. It prefers warm water, with temperatures between 22 and 26 °C (72–78 °F). Its native range is the western Indian Ocean, from the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, specifically in Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
The fish has thirteen dorsal spines and eleven to thirteen dorsal soft rays—these are flexible, often branched, segmented fin rays made of two closely joined lateral elements. It also has two anal spines and eleven to thirteen anal soft rays. Its body is pearly white, with a grayish front half, a pearly white chest, and a yellowish rear half. The Latin species name *flavilatus* means "with yellow sides." Many pomacentrids are fiercely territorial and compete for space, defending patches of algae called "algal gardens" that they cultivate. In some damselfish, reproduction is linked to seasonal rainfall and wind changes, and some researchers think the lunar cycle helps synchronize their breeding.
Amblyglyphidodon flavilatus is oviparous, meaning it lays eggs that hatch after being deposited, with little embryonic development inside the parent. During breeding, fish form distinct pairs. The eggs are demersal—they sit close to the seafloor—and stick to the substrate. Males guard and aerate the eggs. This species mainly eats zooplankton. Its population is stable, and it is listed as "least concern."
Quick Facts
- Taxon
- Amblyglyphidodon flavilatus
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Amblyglyphidodon flavilatus is a reef-dwelling fish most often found at coastal fringing reefs and reef slopes, between depths of 12 to 20 m. It is non-migratory and prefers warmer water temperatures from 72–78 °F. This species is native to the western Indian Ocean, from the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, specifically in Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
The fish has thirteen dorsal spines, eleven to thirteen dorsal soft rays, two anal spines, and eleven to thirteen anal soft rays. Its overall color is pearly white with the anterior half grayish, the chest pearly white, and the posterior half yellowish, which gives it the species name flavilatus, meaning 'with yellow sides.' Many pomacentrid species are intensely territorial and compete for space, defending 'algal gardens.' Some authors suggest that the reproductive activities of damselfishes are influenced by the lunar cycle.
Amblyglyphidodon flavilatus is oviparous, reproducing by eggs that hatch after being laid. It shows distinct pairing during breeding. Eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate, and males guard and aerate the eggs. The fish mainly feeds on zooplankton. It is currently registered as 'least concern' with a stable population.
Reader's Guide
Amblyglyphidodon flavilatus is notable as a member of Pomacentridae, the family that represents the greatest diversity and abundance of fish species on coral reefs. Its description in 1980 by Allen and Randall added to the known diversity of damselfish in the western Indian Ocean. The species' specific habitat preferences—coastal fringing reefs and reef slopes at depths of 12 to 20 m—and its non-migratory nature make it a localized component of reef ecosystems. Its territorial behavior, including the defense of algal gardens, is typical of many pomacentrids and contributes to the structuring of reef communities. The reproductive patterns, potentially linked to lunar cycles, and the male's role in guarding and aerating demersal eggs, are key aspects of its life history. As a zooplankton feeder, it occupies a trophic role in the reef food web. Its conservation status of 'least concern' with a stable population suggests it is not currently under significant threat, though its restricted depth range and geographic distribution in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden region make it dependent on the health of those specific reef habitats.
Did You Know?
- Amblyglyphidodon flavilatus was first described in 1980 by Allen and Randall.
- Males guard and aerate the eggs after they are laid on the substrate.
- It is non-migratory and found only between depths of 12 to 20 m.
More in Clownfish and Damselfish, Part 2 1-24
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