Damselfish

Pomacentridae

Feisty little reef residents, from the iconic clownfish sheltering in anemones to Mediterranean damselfish guarding their algae patches. Don't be surprised if a tiny one charges your mask — they're famously territorial.

Last updated April 2026

ClownfishAmphiprion bicinctus20 photos

Least ConcernUp to 14 cm1–30mCoral reef

The iconic Red Sea two-band anemonefish — bright orange-yellow with two white bars outlined in black. Smaller and feistier than its Pacific relatives.

Aggressively guards its host anemone, darting at divers' masks and cameras — surprisingly bold for its size.

Observed at

Shabrur Umm Gamar(Hurghada)Jackson reef(Strait of Tiran)Woodhouse Reef(Sharm El Sheikh)Small Crack(Sharm El Sheikh)Ras Ghozlani(Sharm El Sheikh)Gorgonian Garden(Hurghada)

Half-and-half chromisChromis dimidiata1 photos

Least ConcernUp to 9 cm2–35mCoral reef

Recognize it by the sharp color split — dark brown upper body and bright white lower half. A common Red Sea damselfish found near branching corals.

Hovers in small groups just above coral heads, retreating into branches when threatened.

Observed at

Dunraven(Sharm El Sheikh)

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