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
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
Mate choice copying has since been observed in other species, including quail, mice and damselfish.
—Bridget Alex, Discover Magazine, 1 Oct. 2019
Munday showed that another common reef-dweller – Ward’s damselfish – was similarly affected.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 7 July 2010
The team's experimental setup to test whether the chemical cue benefitted the damselfish.
—Christie Wilcox, Discover Magazine, 28 Oct. 2015
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
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Matt Hrodey, Discover Magazine, 8 Aug. 2023
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
Mate choice copying has since been observed in other species, including quail, mice and damselfish.
—Bridget Alex, Discover Magazine, 1 Oct. 2019
Munday showed that another common reef-dweller – Ward’s damselfish – was similarly affected.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 7 July 2010
The team's experimental setup to test whether the chemical cue benefitted the damselfish.
—Christie Wilcox, Discover Magazine, 28 Oct. 2015
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
Cite this Entry
“Damselfish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/damselfish. Accessed 8 Jul. 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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