Description:

Dorsal spines: 12; Dorsal rays: 16-18; Anal spines: 2; Anal rays: 13-14.

Typical damselfish form.

Colour. Body dark brown to blackish – tending to be slightly paler on breast and lower portion of head. Caudal fin pale pinkish yellow. Yellowish band on posterior soft dorsal fin. Small white spots that show electric blue in the right light dorsolaterally and on dorsal fin forehead and snout.  Can also exhibit metallic blue sheen behind eye onto operculum. Black spot at base of pectoral fins. Pectoral fin membranes transparent with dark rays. Iris amber to yellow.  

Maturity: Lm unknown. Range unknown. Max Length: 10cm TL.

Inhabits clear lagoon and seaward reefs, in areas with mixed coral and rubble or dead coral rocks (Depth 1-40m, usually 1-12m). Feeds mainly on benthic algae and associated small invertebrates and fish eggs. Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding. Eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate. Males guard and aerate the eggs. Diurnal species.

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It may be occasionally caught in net fisheries, but if so this is a rare occurrence.

Froese, R. & D. Pauly. Eds. 2020. FishBase. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/5712 (17/05/20).

Smith, M & Heemstra, P Eds. (1999). Smiths’ Sea Fishes Edition 6. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 10.1007/978-3-642-82858-4

Nevill, J.E.G. (2020). Seychelles Seatizens. Plectroglyphidodon lacrymatus. https://seatizens.sc/species/plectroglyphidodon-lacrymatus-quoy-gaimard-1825/