Barhead damsel (Neoglyphidodon thoracotaeniatus)

Classification (WoRMS)

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

Accepted name: Neoglyphidodon thoracotaeniatus · Authority: (Fowler & Bean, 1928) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 278816.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Abudefduf thoracotaeniatus Fowler & Bean, 1928; Paraglyphidodon thoracotaeniatus (Fowler & Bean, 1928).

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=278816 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

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

Maximum length: 13.5 cm · Depth range: 10–45 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: short and / or deep · Vulnerability index: 10 of 100.

FishBase notes: Adults inhabit coral-rich areas of outer reef slopes (Ref. 9710). They occur in small groups. Juveniles stay close to substrate but adults may swim high above to feed on zooplankton (Ref. 48636). 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). Diurnal species (Ref. 113699).

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 6922) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Neoglyphidodon-thoracotaeniatus.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

112 georeferenced occurrence records for Neoglyphidodon thoracotaeniatus are published through GBIF from 7 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 28 distinct locations from a sample of 112 records, omitting 4 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: Indonesia (71); Philippines (27); Timor-Leste (9); Australia (2); Malaysia (1); Papua New Guinea (1); Solomon Islands (1).

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2398576) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2398576&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=278816 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Conservation status (IUCN Red List)

The IUCN Red List assesses Neoglyphidodon thoracotaeniatus (Fowler & Bean, 1928) 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 188432) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/188432/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2398576) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2398576/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-23.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

This fish is found in the Indo-Pacific mainly in the Pacific Ocean. Populations in the Indian Ocean only occur around Java in Indonesia. The rest of the populations occur in the Pacific Ocean around Indonesia, Australia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. Usually, they are found in coral reefs. It lives around a depth range of 10 to 45 m.

Adults can grow up to 13.5 cm. Its fins have 13 dorsal spines, 12 to 14 dorsal soft rays, 2 anal spines, and 13 to 14 anal soft rays. Like most species of damselfish in the genus Neoglyphidodon, adults and juveniles have different colouration. Adults are black. They have a white area extending from its eye to the pectoral fin in the bottom. They have 3 vertical dark bands in their front. Juveniles have the same pattern but they are yellow. Around their dorsal fin, juveniles have a dark spot. There are turquoise lines around their dark spot and extends to its eyes.

This fish feeds on plankton.

Juveniles stay near the substrate while adults stay more above to feed on drifting plankton.

This fish is found in the aquarium trade.

Females lay their eggs then males protect them.

Source: Wikipedia: Neoglyphidodon thoracotaeniatus — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoglyphidodon_thoracotaeniatus (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.