HomeMarine aquarium fishClownfish & damselfishOcellate damselfish Ocellate damselfish (Pomacentrus vaiuli) Scientific name: Pomacentrus vaiuli Jordan & Seale, 1906 The Ocellate damselfish (Pomacentrus vaiuli) is a marine fish of the family Pomacentridae. Native range: Pacific Ocean, Moluccas to Samoa, north to the Izu Islands, south to Rowley Shoals in the eastern Indian Ocean and New Caledonia. BiologyDorsal spines (total): 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-16; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 15 - 16. The background color of this species varies from light tan to deep blue or dark brownish purple. The juvenile is similar to that of P. bankanensis, but lacks a bluish stripe on the exact mid-dorsal line of the snout forehead.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific namePomacentrus vaiuliFamilyPomacentridae (Damselfishes)OrderPerciformes (Perch-like fish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length10.0Depth range1–45 m (3–148 ft)EnvironmentMarine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 1 - 45 mClimateTropicalDistributionPacific Ocean: Moluccas to Samoa, north to the Izu Islands, south to Rowley Shoals in the eastern Indian Ocean and New Caledonia.Conservation status (IUCN)Not EvaluatedThreat to humansHarmlessUsesAquarium: commercialResilienceHigh, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) More clownfish & damselfishPhilippine damselPomacentrus philippinusSapphire damselPomacentrus pavoLemon damselPomacentrus moluccensisWhitetail damselPomacentrus chrysurusNeon damselfishPomacentrus coelestisSpeckled damselfishPomacentrus bankanensisSee all clownfish & damselfish SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.Last updated 27 September 2026