Damselfish are small, brightly colored marine fish belonging to the family Pomacentridae, commonly found in tropical and subtropical reefs worldwide. While they are not a major target for large-scale commercial fisheries due to their small size, damselfish are important in the ornamental aquarium trade. The top countries involved in harvesting damselfish are primarily those with extensive coral reef systems and established aquarium fish export industries, such as Indonesia, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka. These nations collect damselfish using hand nets and other low-impact methods, supplying global markets with popular species like the Blue Damselfish (*Chrysiptera cyanea*) and the Azure Damselfish (*Chrysiptera hemicyanea*). The damselfish trade in these countries supports local livelihoods but also raises concerns about reef ecosystem health and the sustainability of wild populations, prompting efforts to promote responsible collection practices and aquaculture alternatives.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portugal | 7 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.