Damselfishes (family Pomacentridae) are small, brightly colored reef fish found primarily in tropical and subtropical oceans, especially in the Indo-Pacific region. These fish are popular in the aquarium trade and, to a lesser extent, are harvested for local consumption in some coastal communities. The top countries involved in the capture and export of damselfishes are the Philippines, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka, where vibrant coral reefs support diverse damselfish populations. These nations have developed significant ornamental fish industries, supplying live damselfishes to global aquarium markets in the United States, Europe, and East Asia. While damselfishes are not a major food fish, their economic importance lies in their role as one of the most traded marine ornamental species, making sustainable harvesting and reef conservation critical issues for the fishing industries in these countries.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.