| Family: |
Pomacentridae (Damselfishes), subfamily: Microspathodontinae |
| Max. size: |
12 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 2 - 10 m, non-migratory |
| Distribution: |
Indo-Pacific: Ryukyu Islands, encompassing the Indo-Malayan Archipelago, Western Australia north of Abrolhos Islands; reaching eastward along the northern margin of the tropical Indian Ocean to Sri Lanka and India. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 13-13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-16; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 12-14. Diagnosis: Body and median fins generally brown to nearly black; body paler ventrally; fins grading to smoky gray distally. Margin of scales on sides with blackish streak, appearing as series of transverse bands; few small blue spots scattered on head and sides. Pelvic and anal fins bright blue anteriorly. Lips dusky brown (Ref. 510). Body depth 1.7-2.2 in SL (Ref. 90102). |
| Biology: |
Adults occur close to shore in rocky or dead reef areas where visibility is often reduced due to silting and wave action. Territorial, they maintain and 'weed' filamentous algae patches growing on dead coral (Ref. 9710). Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205). Eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate (Ref. 205). Males guard and aerate the eggs (Ref. 205). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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