Canary damsel (Similiparma lurida)

Classification (WoRMS)

Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Chordata · Class: Teleostei · Order: Ovalentaria incertae sedis · Family: Pomacentridae · Genus: Similiparma.

Accepted name: Similiparma lurida · Authority: (Cuvier, 1830) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 889885.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Abudefduf luridus (Cuvier, 1830); Chaetodon luridi Gmelin, 1789; Chaetodon luridus Cuvier, 1830; Chaetodonton luridi Gmelin, 1789; Glyphisodon luridus Cuvier, 1830.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=889885 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

Measured values published by FishBase for Similiparma lurida. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.

Maximum length: 15 cm · Depth range: 0–25 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: fusiform / normal · Vulnerability index: 10 of 100.

FishBase notes: Adults inhabit rocky inshore areas, often near sand; juveniles found in tide pools. Food comprised mainly of algae with associated minute invertebrates (Ref. 6760). Males protect the eggs deposited in nests (Ref. 6760).

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 11820) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Similiparma-lurida.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

1,219 georeferenced occurrence records for Similiparma lurida are published through GBIF from 4 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 40 distinct locations from a sample of 1,219 records, omitting 2 inland records that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.

Most records by country or area: Spain (969); Portugal (243); Cabo Verde (4); Morocco (3).

The full country table, WoRMS marine regions and the sampling notes are on this species' Distribution page.

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 8873604) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=8873604&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=889885 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

Canary damsels are commonly associated with rocky inshore areas of the eastern Atlantic Ocean; specifically, they are found in the waters of Macaronesia (Madeira, Azores, Savage Islands, Canary Islands, Cape Verde) and Senegal at depths to about 25 m. Juveniles may be found in tide pools.

Canary damsels have large eyes, and is primarily black to brownish black, with lighter colors on the ventral part of the body and blue fin margins. Juveniles may have lateral stripes on their bodies as well. During their mating season, adults exhibit sexual dimorphism. Individuals may grow to 15 cm in length.

Canary damsels feed primarily on algae and small invertebrates.

The eggs of Canary damsels are demersal and attach to substrates. They are laid in a nest, and protected by the male.

The Canary damsel is sometimes harvested for use in saltwater aquaria, but this is done on a very small scale. This, along with a non-fragmented range, no evidence of population decline and the fact that the Canary damsel is found in many marine protected regions, has led the IUCN to classify it as "Least Concern".

Source: Wikipedia: Canary damsel — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canary_damsel (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.