Fish Active during the day

Jewel Damsel

Stegastes lacrymatus

iNaturalist Wikipedia

A glittering gem of the reef, the Jewel Damsel is a tiny but feisty farmer that guards its underwater garden with shimmering intensity.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Up to 10 cm (3.9 inches) in length

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Colors

Deep chocolate brown to charcoal body; peppered with numerous small, iridescent neon-blue or white spots that resemble stars or jewels.

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Key Features

Dark brown base color with iridescent blue spotting
Distinctive rounded tail and dorsal fins
Aggressive, territorial posturing
Small, terminal mouth used for grazing

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours 8 AM - 5 PM

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Season Year-round

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Diet Primarily herbivorous, feeding on filamentous algae; they also consume small benthic invertebrates and organic detritus.

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Habitat Shallow coral reefs, rocky outcrops, and sheltered lagoons with plenty of hiding spots.

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Where Does the Jewel Damsel Live?

The Jewel Damsel is a signature resident of the vast Indo-Pacific region, flourishing in warm tropical waters. Its native range stretches from the shores of East Africa and the Red Sea across to the Line Islands and the Tuamotu Archipelago. Within this massive expanse, they are commonly found along the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the coastal waters of Indonesia and the Philippines, and as far north as southern Japan. While they are strictly an Indo-Pacific species, they are a common sight for snorkelers and reef-watchers throughout the central and western Pacific islands.

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9 Countries

52M km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

AU Australia ID Indonesia PH Philippines JP Japan Egypt ZA South Africa TH Thailand Vietnam Fiji

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

The Jewel Damsel is a fascinating 'farmer' of the reef. Unlike many wandering fish, this species is highly sedentary and fiercely territorial, claiming a small patch of coral or rock as its own 'algae garden.' They actively weed out unpalatable algae to encourage the growth of their preferred food sources, defending these plots against much larger intruders, including human divers, with surprising bravado.

Socially, they are often solitary as adults due to their territorial nature. Their lives revolve around the maintenance of their territory, which serves as both a larder and a nesting site. During the breeding season, males become even more protective, performing courtship displays to attract females to lay eggs within their guarded domain, which the male then aerates and protects until they hatch.

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Camera Tips

Capturing the Jewel Damsel requires an underwater housing or a specialized waterproof action camera. Because these fish are extremely territorial, the best strategy is to locate a 'garden'—a patch of reef that looks noticeably greener or more 'manicured' than the surrounding area. Once you identify a territory being defended by a Jewel Damsel, place your camera on a weighted tripod or secure it to a nearby rock (taking care not to damage live coral) about 30 to 50 centimeters from the fish's favorite perch.

Since these fish are most active during the day, capitalize on the midday sun when light penetration is at its peak. This will help capture the iridescent 'jewels' on their scales, which can look dull in low light. If you are filming in water deeper than 5 meters, consider using a red filter or a portable underwater video light to restore the vibrant brown and blue tones that are often lost to the blue-green cast of the ocean.

Set your camera to a high frame rate (60fps or higher) if possible. Jewel Damsels move in quick, jerky bursts when defending their territory or grazing. A higher frame rate allows you to slow down the footage in post-production, revealing the intricate details of their fin movements and social interactions. Because they are curious and bold, they will likely approach the camera lens to inspect it or even 'attack' it, providing excellent close-up opportunities.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Jewel Damsel.

Dusky Damselfish

Lacks the brilliant iridescent 'jewel' spots and often has a more uniform, drab grey-brown appearance.

Neon Damselfish

Features neon blue lines rather than distinct 'star-like' spots and typically has a lighter colored tail.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Jewel Damsel are strictly diurnal, meaning they are most active during daylight hours. They spend their days grazing on algae and defending their territory, and they retreat into reef crevices to sleep once the sun sets.

You don't need food to attract them! Simply find their territory—usually a specific rock or coral head covered in algae. Their natural curiosity and territorial instinct will bring them right to a camera placed within their 'turf.'

They are primarily algae eaters. They actually 'farm' specific types of filamentous algae, weeding out species they don't like to ensure their favorite food grows in abundance within their territory.

They are only found in marine environments, specifically coral reefs. However, for those living in coastal 'suburban' areas near tropical reefs, such as in parts of Florida, Hawaii, or Australia, they are very common sights just offshore.

Look for the signature 'jewels'—bright, iridescent blue or white spots—scattered across a very dark brown or black body. Unlike the more colorful Blue Damselfish, the Jewel Damsel has a much darker base color and a more rounded body shape.

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