Yellowfin damsel (Amblyglyphidodon flavilatus)
Source-cited species reference: taxonomy from WoRMS, biology from FishBase, occurrence map from GBIF, conservation from IUCN Red List, description from Wikipedia.
Amblyglyphidodon flavilatus, known as yellow damselfish, yellowfin damselfish, yellow flank damselfish, yellow side damselfish, and yellow-sided Damselfish, is part Pomacentridae, which is a family of ray-finned fish including damselfish and clownfish. This family represents the greatest diversity and abundance of fish species inhabiting coral reefs. They were first described in 1980 by Allen and Randall.
- Scientific name
- Amblyglyphidodon flavilatus
- Authority
- Allen & Randall, 1981
- Family
- Pomacentridae
- Order
- Ovalentaria incertae sedis
- Maximum length
- 10 cm
- Depth range
- 12–20 m
- Habitat zone
- reef-associated
- Iucn red list
- Least Concern
- Gbif occurrence records
- 216
Taxonomic Placement and Genus Identity
The Yellowfin damsel, known by its scientific name Amblyglyphidodon flavilatus, occupies a clearly defined position in the classification of marine fish. It belongs to the genus Amblyglyphidodon, which is nested within the family Pomacentridae, the damselfish family. This taxonomic placement situates the species among a broader community of related fish that share common evolutionary and biological characteristics. The genus Amblyglyphidodon is not a single-species group; rather, it currently encompasses eleven recognized species, each representing a distinct member of the same lineage. As one of these eleven, the Yellowfin damsel shares fundamental traits with its genus-mates while maintaining its own specific identity. The family-level placement in Pomacentridae further connects it to a wider assemblage of damselfish, underscoring the depth of relatedness that extends beyond the genus boundary. For anyone studying or appreciating this species, understanding its layered taxonomic identity — species within genus within family — provides the essential framework for interpreting its biology and ecological role.
Social Structure and Movement Patterns
One of the most distinctive behavioral characteristics of the Yellowfin damsel and its close relatives in the genus Amblyglyphidodon is their flexible social structure. Rather than committing to a single mode of movement, these damselfish exhibit a range of grouping behaviors. They may be observed swimming entirely on their own, moving as solitary individuals through their environment. Alternatively, they travel in pairs, suggesting a degree of social bonding or coordinated movement between two individuals. In other circumstances, they form small groups, indicating a looser social unit that is larger than a pair but still modest in size. This spectrum of social arrangements — from solitary to paired to small-group — highlights a notable behavioral flexibility within the genus. The fact that these fish maintain relatively intimate group sizes rather than assembling into large, dense aggregations suggests a social ecology shaped by their specific habitat and resource needs. For observers in the field, this variability means that encountering a Yellowfin damsel might reveal any one of these three social configurations, each representing a valid expression of the species' behavioral repertoire.
Coral Habitat and Ecological Setting
The habitat in which the Yellowfin damsel is most commonly encountered is intimately tied to coral structures. Members of the genus Amblyglyphidodon are frequently found among corals, indicating a strong and defining association with this type of reef architecture. This coral-dwelling tendency is a central feature of their ecological setting and likely shapes many aspects of their daily existence. Being often found among corals suggests that while the association is strong and typical, it is not necessarily absolute — the fish may occasionally be observed in nearby reef areas beyond the immediate coral structure. For the Yellowfin damsel specifically, this coral-centric habitat places it within the broader damselfish community of the Pomacentridae family, where coral association represents a widespread and ecologically meaningful trait shared across the family. Understanding this habitat preference is essential for interpreting where one might encounter this species in its natural setting. It also highlights the interdependent relationship between these fish and the living coral structures that form their primary environment, a connection that extends across all eleven recognized species of the genus.
Genus Diversity and Species Recognition
The genus Amblyglyphidodon, to which the Yellowfin damsel belongs, is a moderately diverse group within the damselfish family Pomacentridae. As of current taxonomic recognition, the genus contains eleven distinct species, each formally acknowledged as a separate member of the lineage. This number represents a meaningful level of biodiversity within a single genus, suggesting that the Amblyglyphidodon lineage has diversified into multiple distinct species over time. The Yellowfin damsel, Amblyglyphidodon flavilatus, is one of these eleven, and its specific epithet identifies it as a particular member of the group. The fact that the genus is recognized with exactly eleven species implies ongoing taxonomic evaluation, as species boundaries in damselfish can be complex and subject to periodic revision. For researchers and enthusiasts alike, the eleven-species count provides a useful framework for understanding the breadth of variation possible within this genus. Each of the eleven species, including the Yellowfin damsel, contributes to the overall picture of damselfish diversity in the Pomacentridae family, and together they represent the full scope of known variation within a single genus of coral-associated fish.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Yellowfin damsel (Amblyglyphidodon flavilatus)?
It is a small coral-reef fish in the damselfish and clownfish family (Pomacentridae), commonly called the yellowfin damselfish, yellow flank damselfish, or yellow side damselfish. It was formally described by Allen and Randall in 1981.
How big does a Yellowfin damsel (Amblyglyphidodon flavilatus) get?
Adults reach a maximum total length of about 10 cm (roughly 4 inches), making it a modest-sized reef fish.
At what depth can you find the Yellowfin damsel (Amblyglyphidodon flavilatus)?
This species is typically encountered between 12 and 20 metres (approximately 40–65 feet) below the surface on coral reef habitats.
What family and order does the Yellowfin damsel (Amblyglyphidodon flavilatus) belong to?
It is placed in the family Pomacentridae, the same group that contains clownfish and most other damselfish, and assigned to the order Ovalentaria incertae sedis. Pomacentridae is the most species-rich and abundant fish family on tropical coral reefs.
Who first described the Yellowfin damsel (Amblyglyphidodon flavilatus) and when?
The species was named and described by ichthyologists Allen and Randall in 1981, adding a new entry to the diverse genus Amblyglyphidodon.
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced