This family represents the greatest diversity and abundance of fish species inhabiting coral reefs.

This species is native to the western Indian Ocean, from the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden,[1][5] specifically in Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.

[6] The territory they defend are called "algal gardens" which are large patches of algae that they cultivate and take care of.

[3] The reproductive patterns of some damselfish are related to periodic rainfall and wind changes in tropical areas.

[7][8] some authors suggest that the synchrony of the reproductive activities of damselfishes is influenced by the lunar cycle.