Acapulco Damselfish (Juvenile)

Family: Damselfishes (Pomacentridae)
Size: 2 – 6 cm (1 – 2.5 in)
Depth: 2 – 10m (5 – 33ft)
Distribution: Baja California to Peru.

Identification:
One of the most colorful fish on the shallow reef, looking nothing like its adult parent.

• Color Pattern: A distinct "half-and-half" look. The head and upper back are electric indigo-blue with neon blue spots. The lower body, belly, and tail are bright lemon yellow.
• The False Eye: A prominent black spot (ocellus) sits on the dorsal fin, ringed in neon blue. This mimics an eye to confuse predators about which direction the fish is swimming.

Behavior:
Small but fierce.

• Habitat: You will rarely see them swimming in the open. They hug the bottom, hovering close to protective coral branches or empty barnacle shells.
• Territory: Even at this tiny size, they are territorial. If you watch closely, you can see them chasing away other small fish from their chosen rock.