Pycnochromis delta (Randall, 1988)
Deep reef chromis
Chromis delta
Pycnochromis delta
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Pomacentridae (Damselfishes), subfamily: Chrominae
Max. size:  7 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 10 - 80 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Maldives and Christmas Island in the eastern Indian Ocean to Fiji, north to Taiwan and the Philippines south to Vanuatu. Recently recorded from Tonga (Ref. 53797).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-14; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 12-14. Description: Overall dark brown, bluish gray ventrally; caudal peduncle band broad white, often edged anteriorly with black; pectoral fin base covered entirely by a black spot (Ref. 2334). Body depth 1.9-2.2 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Adults inhabit steep outer reef slopes with rich coral growth. They occur singly or in small groups and remains close to shelter, often at the entrance of large caves or near its ceiling (Ref. 48636). Diurnal species (Ref. 54980; 113699). 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: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 17 November 2010 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:  Known from Flores (Ref. 8631, 47567) and Mentawai Islands (Ref. 27157). Also recorded from Raja Ampat Islands, Bali, Komodo, Manado and vicinity, Togean and Banggai Islands and Pulau Weh; with an Indonesian distribution from Papua to Sumatra (Ref. 47567). Also Ref. 48636.


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