damselfish
noun
dam·sel·fish
ˈdam-zəl-ˌfish 
: any of numerous often brilliantly colored marine fishes (family Pomacentridae) living especially along coral reefs
called also demoiselle
Examples of damselfish in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Next, the researchers trotted out a parrotfish model, which the damselfish didn’t investigate as frequently and didn’t register as a threat.
—
Matt Hrodey, Discover Magazine, 8 Aug. 2023
Crabs stop feeding, cuttlefish change colors, damselfish are more easily caught.
—Ed Yong, The Atlantic, 13 June 2022
The Brigade’s members, mostly volunteers, delighted in the bright damselfish that darted into restored crevices even before the paste had hardened.
—New York Times, 5 Dec. 2020
Making a castle fit for a human, but also for a damselfish.
—Emily Cataneo, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Oct. 2020
Experiments show that damselfishes, sharks and crabs raised in or exposed to highly acidic water may fail to smell predators or to find food or may uncharacteristically wander into dangerous places.
—Danielle L. Dixson, Scientific American, 1 June 2017
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Matt Hrodey, Discover Magazine, 8 Aug. 2023
Crabs stop feeding, cuttlefish change colors, damselfish are more easily caught.
—Ed Yong, The Atlantic, 13 June 2022
The Brigade’s members, mostly volunteers, delighted in the bright damselfish that darted into restored crevices even before the paste had hardened.
—New York Times, 5 Dec. 2020
Making a castle fit for a human, but also for a damselfish.
—Emily Cataneo, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Oct. 2020
Experiments show that damselfishes, sharks and crabs raised in or exposed to highly acidic water may fail to smell predators or to find food or may uncharacteristically wander into dangerous places.
—Danielle L. Dixson, Scientific American, 1 June 2017
Cite this Entry
“Damselfish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/damselfish. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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damselfish
noun
dam·sel·fish
ˈdam-zəl-ˌfish
: any of numerous often brilliantly colored marine fishes that live especially along coral reefs
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