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

Word History

First Known Use

1904, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for damselfish

• cuttlefish
• jellyfish
• sablefish
• bluefish
• catfish
• codfish
• crawfish
• dogfish
• finfish
• flatfish
• goldfish
• groundfish

Kids Definition

damselfish

noun

dam·​sel·​fish ˈdam-zəl-ˌfish 

: any of numerous often brilliantly colored marine fishes that live especially along coral reefs