Pomacentridae

Around 385 species are classified in this family, in about 31 genera. Of these, members of two genera, Amphiprion and Premnas, are commonly called clownfish or anemonefish, while members of other genera (e.g., Pomacentrus) are commonly called damselfish. The members of this family were traditionally classified in four subfamilies: Amphiprioninae, Chrominae, Lepidozyginae, and Pomacentrinae., although more recent phylogenetic analyses instead support the four subfamilies Chrominae, Glyphisodontinae, Microspathodontinae, and Pomacentrinae, with the clownfishes nested within the latter subfamily. The earliest known fossil damselfish is †Chaychanus from the Early Paleocene of Chiapas, Mexico. Etymology The name of the family is derived from the Greek words; poma roughly translates to the English "cover", referring to the fishes' opercula, and kentron is Greek for sting. The name refers to the serrations found along the margins of the opercular bones in many members of this family. ==Distribution and habitat==

Pomacentrids are found primarily in tropical seas, with a few species occurring in subtropical waters (e.g., Hypsypops rubicundus). Most species are found on or near coral reefs in the Indo-West Pacific (from East Africa to Polynesia). The area from the Philippines to Australia hosts the greatest concentration of species. The remaining species are found in the Atlantic or eastern Pacific. Some species are native to freshwater or brackish estuarine environments. Most members of the family live in shallow water, from in depth, although some species (e.g., Chromis abyssus) are found below . Most species are specialists, living in specific parts of the reef, such as sandy lagoons, steep reef slopes, or areas exposed to strong wave action. In general, the coral is used as shelter, and many species can only survive in its presence. Algae farming The bottom-dwelling species are territorial, occupying and defending a portion of the reef, often centered on shelter. By keeping away other species of fish, some pomacentrids encourage the growth of thick mats of algae within their territories, leading to the common name farmerfish. ==Characteristics==

, Fujairah, UAE Most pomacentrids are relatively small. The tribe Microspathodontini includes the largest species and are collectively known as giant damselfishes, with the four largest species (Hypsypops rubicundus, Microspathodon bairdii, M. dorsalis and Nexilosus latifrons) reaching 30 cm (12 in) in length. Pomacentrids have an orbiculate to elongated body shape, which is often laterally compressed. They have interrupted or incomplete lateral lines and they usually have a single nostril on each side (some species of Chromis and Dascyllus have two on each side). Clownfish also have mutualistic relationships with anemones. The anemone protects the clownfish while the clownfish rids parasites. ==Lifecycle==

Before breeding, the males clear an area of algae and invertebrates to create a nest. They engage in ritualised courtship displays, which may consist of rapid bursts of motion, chasing or nipping females, stationary hovering, or wide extension of their fins. After being attracted to the site, the female lays a string of sticky eggs that attach to the substrate. The male swims behind the female as she lays the eggs, and fertilises them externally. Varying by species, brood sizes range from 50 to 1000 eggs. When they arrive at a suitable environment, the young settle and adopt their juvenile colors. In captivity, pomacentrids live up to 18 years, but they probably do not live longer than 10 to 12 years in the wild. ==Genera==

The 5th edition of Fishes of the World recognises 31 genera in three subfamilies in the family Pomacentridae: Other authorities recognise 4 subfamilies and classify the family as follows: • Subfamily Chrominae • Azurina • Chromis • Dascyllus • Pycnochromis Fowler, 1941 • Subfamily Glyphisodontinae • Abudefduf • Subfamily Microspathodontinae • Lepidozygus • Mecaenichthys • Parma • Plectroglyphidodon • Stegastes • Tribe Microspathodontini • Hypsypops • Microspathodon • Nexilosus • Similiparma • Subfamily Pomacentrinae • Tribe Amphiprionini • Amphiprion • Premnas • Tribe Cheiloprionini • Cheiloprion • Chrysiptera • Dischistodus • Pomachromis • Tribe Hemiglyphidodontini • Acanthochromis • Altrichthys • Amblyglyphidodon • Hemiglyphidodon • Neoglyphidodon • Tribe Pomacentrini • Amblypomacentrus • Neopomacentrus • Pomacentrus • Pristotis • Teixeirichthys • †Palaeopomacentrus Image:Abudefduf sexfasciatus Réunion.jpg|Abudefduf sexfasciatus Image:Acanthochromis polyacanthus.jpg|Acanthochromis polyacanthus Image:Amblyglyphidodon curacao.jpg|Amblyglyphidodon curacao Image:Green.chromis.arp.jpg|Chromis viridis Image:Crysiptera_hemicyanea.jpg|Chrysiptera hemicyanea Image:Dascyllus trimaculatus Réunion.jpg|Dascyllus trimaculatus Image:Hypsypops_rubicundus_adult.jpg|Hypsypops rubicundus Image:Yellowtail damselfish Microspathodon chrysurus (4657125482).jpg|Microspathodon chrysurus Image:Neoglyphidodon melas.jpg|Neoglyphidodon melas Image:Parma_kermadecensis_%28Kermadec_scalyfin%29.jpg|Parma kermadecensis Image:Plectroglyphidodon johnstonianus Réunion.JPG|Plectroglyphidodon johnstonianus Image:Pomacentrus caeruleopunctatus Réunion.jpg|Pomacentrus caeruleus Image:Maroon Clown Fish444.jpg|Premnas biaculeatus Image:Stegastes nigricans.JPG|Stegastes nigricans ==References==