|
Stegastes planifrons (Cuvier, 1830) Threespot damselfish |
|
|
photo by
Steele, M.A. |
| Family: | Pomacentridae (Damselfishes), subfamily: Microspathodontinae | |||
| Max. size: | 13 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 30 m, non-migratory | |||
| Distribution: | Western Atlantic: including southern Florida (USA), Bahamas, and the Caribbean Sea. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-17; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 13-14. Adults brownish gray with a yellowish cast; vertical dark lines following scale rows; a large blackish spot covering most of pectoral base, darkest near upper part; pectorals slightly dusky. The young are bright yellow with a large black spot at base of dorsal fin at junction of spinous and soft portions, a large black spot dorsally on caudal peduncle and a small one at upper pectoral base (Ref. 13442). | |||
| Biology: | Adults inhabit inshore and offshore coral reefs. They are found within caves at night (Ref. 9626). Often found in tangles of staghorn coral; anywhere there is abundant algae on reefs (Ref. 26938). Feed mainly on algae but also on harpacticoid copepods, small gastropods, eggs of mollusks, sponges, polychaetes and hydroids (Ref. 9626). Juveniles subsist on the external parasites of fishes (Ref. 5521). Adults pugnaciously guard large territories, will chase and nip intruders of all sizes, including divers (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). Taken incidentally in traps and small-meshed beach nets (Ref. 5217). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 15 November 2010 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||