Lemon damsel (Pomacentrus moluccensis)

Classification (WoRMS)

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

Accepted name: Pomacentrus moluccensis · Authority: Bleeker, 1853 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 277159.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Pomacentrus molluccensis Bleeker, 1853; Pomacentrus popei Evermann & Seale, 1907; Pomacentrus sufflavus Whitley, 1927.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=277159 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

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

Maximum length: 9 cm · Depth range: 1–60 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: short and / or deep · Vulnerability index: 10 of 100 · Fishery importance: commercial · Aquarium trade: commercial.

FishBase notes: Adults inhabit clear lagoon and seaward reefs among branching corals. They occur in small aggregations. Feed mainly on algae and planktonic crustaceans (Ref. 7247). 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. 54980; 113699). Maximum depth reported taken from Ref. 128797.

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 5724) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Pomacentrus-moluccensis.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

9,807 georeferenced occurrence records for Pomacentrus moluccensis are published through GBIF from 29 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 238 distinct locations from a sample of 3,000 records, omitting 28 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: Australia (7,741); New Caledonia (527); Indonesia (461); Philippines (277); Thailand (158).

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

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2398282) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2398282&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=277159 (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 Pomacentrus moluccensis Bleeker, 1853 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 188608) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/188608/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2398282) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2398282/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

Pomacentrus moluccensis is a deep-bodied, laterally-compressed fish, growing to a length of about 9 cm. The head is slightly longer than it is high, with a large eye and oblique mouth. The teeth are in two series and have rounded tips. The dorsal fin has 13 spines and 13 to 14 soft rays.

The anal fin has 2 spines and 14 soft rays; the first anal spine is half the size of the second. The first ray of the pelvic fins is much elongated, and is longer than the head. The pectoral fins are rather shorter, and the caudal fin is shallowly forked with rounded lobes. The colour of this fish is a uniform yellow, and there is a small orange spot at the base of the pectoral fin (except for fish in the Philippines).

Distribution and habitat

Pomacentrus moluccensis is native to the tropical western Pacific Ocean. Its range extends from about 32°N to 32°S, and 92°E to 173°W. It is found down to about 14 m in clear-water lagoons and in reefs with branching corals to provide hiding places.

Ecology

Pomacentrus moluccensis lives in and around coral reefs and is found in small groups. The diet consists mostly of algae, but planktonic invertebrates are also eaten. This fish forms pairs during the breeding season, the female laying her eggs on the substrate and the male guarding them and fanning them to keep them well-aerated. This fish is preyed on by such predatory fish as Cephalopholis boenak and Pseudochromis fuscus, and is better able to evade them and survive in high shelter environments such as provided by Pocillopora damicornis than low shelter ones provided by Acropora nobilis.

Pomacentrus moluccensis is a coral-associated species that has been shown to decline dramatically following coral bleaching.

In aquarium

If the environment is crowded, it may continue to pursue the peaceful fishes. When faced to more aggressive fish and it is the only one Pomacentrus moluccensis in the tank, it usually turns around and swims away immediately.

Source: Wikipedia: Pomacentrus moluccensis — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomacentrus_moluccensis (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.