Stegastes lacrymatus (Quoy & Gaimard, 1825)
Whitespotted devil
Stegastes lacrymatus
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Pomacentridae (Damselfishes), subfamily: Microspathodontinae
Max. size:  10 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 40 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to the Marshall and Society islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to Australia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16-18; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 13-14. Description: Adult head and body brown with blue spots, scale margins black on body, tan on tail (Ref. 90102). Juveniles have brighter and more numerous blue spots than adults (Ref. 1602). Body depth 1.8-1.9 in SL (Ref. 90102)
Biology:  Adults inhabit clear lagoon and seaward reefs, in areas with mixed coral and rubble or dead coral rocks. Feed mainly on benthic algae and associated small invertebrates and fish eggs (Ref. 7247). 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). Diurnal species (Ref. 113699, 12037). Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 128797.
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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