Stegastes planifrons
Ecological Descriptors |
Habitat |
Size (cm) |
Diet |
Behaviour |
Sex |
R, Co |
13 |
Veg (Car, Wor Mol, Spo - Cle) |
Ter |
F |
Threespot Damselfish Juvenile
Description:
Adult: Entirely grey-brown, with tan tint to lower head and body. Black spot on the base of the pectoral fin and sometimes, another on tail base. Top of eye yellowish (as in Longfin, but not in Dusky Damselfishes)
Juveniles: Body and fins bright yellow. Large black spot on base of dorsal fin at end of spines, plus a smaller black spot on upper base of tail.
Ecology
Adults inhabit inshore and offshore coral reefs, plus rocks and manmade structues e.g. harbours. They are found within caves at night. Often found in tangles of staghorn coral and anywhere there is abundant algae on reefs . Feed mainly on algae but also on copepods, small gastropods, eggs of molluscs, sponges, polychaetes and hydroids. Juveniles subsist on the external parasites of fishes
Life Cycle:
Adults pugnaciously guard large territories (will chase and nip intruders of all sizes, including divers). Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding. Eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate Males guard and aerate the eggs
Threespot Damselfish
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(C) Kevin Bryant
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Threespot Damselfish