A golden damselfish (Amblyglyphidodon aureus) on a steep outer reef slope, facing into the stiff longshore current. (Barracuda Point, Madang)
Golden damselfish are zooplanktivores and spend most of their time riding in the face of currents on exposed reefs, gobbling up tiny zooplankton. (Milinat Pass, Madang)
Another golden damselfish, on the soft-coral-covered slope of an oceanic reef. (May Reef, Kimbe Bay)
The aptly-named neon damsel (Pomacentrus coelestis) actually appears to glow an electric blue. Fish expert Gerry Allen notes that this neon shade can be switched on and off and that the fish can also occur in a lighlty less dazzling version of its blue color. (Restorf Island, Kimbe Bay)
A lemon damsel (P. moluccensis). Damselfishes are a diverse group of tropical, subtropical, and temperate reef fishes that include some belligerent territorial species that defend algal 'farms' against much larger intruders. (Susan's Reef, Kimbe Bay)
A blackbar chromis (Chromis retrofasciata). These damselfish occur both in quieter lagoonal waters and the like and on outer reefs. This one was resting toward twilight on an inshore patch reef. (Mandarinfish Reef, Kimbe Bay)
Reticulated dascyllus (Dascyllus reticulatus) above a green tree coral, near the curve in a reef front that catches the full force of a tidal current. (Ann Sophie's, Kimbe Bay)
Anemonefishes are a group of Indo-Pacific damselfishes that are specialized as symbionts with various anemone species...