Fusilier damselfish (Lepidozygus tapeinosoma)

Classification (WoRMS)

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

Accepted name: Lepidozygus tapeinosoma · Authority: (Bleeker, 1856) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 212793.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Chromanthias exilis Whitley, 1935; Lepidozygous tapeinosoma (Bleeker, 1856); Lepidozygus anthioides Smith, 1956; Lepidozygus tapienosoma (Bleeker, 1856); Pomacentrus tapeinosoma Bleeker, 1856.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=212793 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

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

Maximum length: 10.5 cm · Depth range: 1–30 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: fusiform / normal · Vulnerability index: 10 of 100 · Fishery importance: of no interest · Aquarium trade: commercial.

FishBase notes: Adults are found in current-swept seaward reefs; occasionally found around lagoon patch reefs. Form aggregations that feed on zooplankton (Ref. 9710). Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205). Eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate (Ref. 205).

Males guard and aerate the eggs (Ref. 205). Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 9710. Diurnal species (Ref. 54980; 113699).

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 5683) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Lepidozygus-tapeinosoma.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

1,948 georeferenced occurrence records for Lepidozygus tapeinosoma are published through GBIF from 36 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 154 distinct locations from a sample of 1,948 records, omitting 7 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: United States Minor Outlying Islands (1,121); French Polynesia (212); American Samoa (120); Northern Mariana Islands (119); Australia (80).

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

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2398762) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2398762&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=212793 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Conservation status (IUCN Red List)

The IUCN Red List assesses Lepidozygus tapeinosoma (Bleeker, 1856) as Least Concern (code LC). No trend, population estimate or threat analysis is given here, because none is available from this source without the Red List API; follow the source link for the full assessment, including its date.

Source: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (taxon 188627) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/188627/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2398762) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2398762/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

They are found in the Indo-Pacific. Populations in the Indian Ocean are found in eastern Africa, the Gulf of Aden, Oman, India, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, the Similan Islands in the Andaman Sea, Indonesia, and Australia. In the Pacific Ocean, they are found in Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, Vietnam, Taiwan, various Pacific islands throughout to Hawaii, the Gulf of California south to northern Peru.

It is found at depths of 1 to 30 m. This fish is found in coral reefs and lagoons. They live in tropical waters.

Adults can grow up to 10.5 cm at maximum length. They have 12 dorsal spines, 14 to 15 dorsal soft rays, 2 anal spines, and 15 to 16 anal soft rays on their fins. Coloration of this fish can change a lot.

It depends on its behavior. When it feeds, it turns silvery green. It darkens when resting. In the Maldives, adults guarding their eggs have a banded pattern.

This fish feeds on zooplankton.

This fish changes its color depending on what it is doing. They form aggregations.

This fish is occasionally found in the aquarium trade. They can be kept in groups, and they are very peaceful. Behavior is similar to Anthias, but they are not as delicate. The Fusilier damselfish will flash red and green colors when feeding.

Unlike many other shoaling fish, the fusilier damsels will not single out and focus aggression on the weakest individual. The Fusilier damselfish is a social animal and does best when kept with others of the same species. A fast swimming fish that will readily eat most any foods offered.

Source: Wikipedia: Fusilier damselfish — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusilier_damselfish (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.