Neopomacentrus miryae
A small, fast-moving damselfish logged across South Sinai, Eilat and Aqaba year-round in warm Red Sea and Gulf of Aqaba waters.
A small, slender damselfish reaching about 8 cm, with a slim body and a forked tail typical of the genus. Look for a dark grey to blue-grey body that can show a faint yellowish tinge toward the tail, usually seen hovering in loose groups just off the reef structure rather than sitting still. Size and shape alone rule out most reef fish nearby, since it's noticeably smaller and slimmer than damsels like the Sergeant Major.
Usually spotted hovering in loose, mixed groups just above the reef, picking at plankton in the water column rather than darting for cover. It tends to hold its position over a coral or rubble patch and lets divers approach fairly close before drifting off a short distance, more curious than skittish. Most sightings come from daytime dives along the reef edge rather than deep or open water.
It's an uncommon rather than abundant sight at most of the sites where it's logged, so seeing more than a handful together in South Sinai or Eilat is a reasonably good day.
Comfortable across a 24.9 to 29.1 C range, so there's no strong seasonal pattern, it's present on these reefs all year round.
Reef neighbours a diver could mistake it for. Use the identification notes above to tell them apart.
Most reliably logged along South Sinai in Egypt, with strong numbers also reported from Eilat in Israel and Aqaba in Jordan, making this a Red Sea and Gulf of Aqaba specialty. Smaller pockets turn up along Egypt's Red Sea Riviera and further south around Marsa Alam, but the northern Red Sea sites are where divers see it most consistently.
Mapping where Miry's Damselfish is logged…
Best known from South Sinai in Egypt, plus Eilat in Israel and Aqaba in Jordan. Smaller numbers also show up along Egypt's Red Sea Riviera and Marsa Alam, but the northern Red Sea and Gulf of Aqaba are the reliable spots.
No strong season has been detected. It sits in warm water between roughly 25 and 29 C, so it's around on these reefs throughout the year.
Look for a small, slender damselfish around 8 cm with a dark grey to blue-grey body and a forked tail, usually hovering in loose groups just above the reef. It's noticeably smaller and slimmer than bigger damsels sharing the same reef.
They stay small, topping out around 8 cm, which is typical for damselfish in this genus.
No, they pose no threat to divers and are simply small reef fish going about their business over the coral.
Site and sighting data is aggregated from diver logs, iNaturalist and GBIF. For taxonomy and conservation status:
Yellowtail Clownfish
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