| Family: |
Pomacentridae (Damselfishes), subfamily: Microspathodontinae |
| Max. size: |
15 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 30 m, non-migratory |
| Distribution: |
Western Pacific: endemic to the southern Coral Sea-northern Tasman Sea region; known in Australia, Norfolk Islands, and New Caledonia, New Zealand. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 14-14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-16; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 13-14. Body and head color primarily brown, yellow-orange on ventral portion. A blue streak runs from the snout to the suborbital. Blue or purplish spots are on opercular series. Each scale with dark brown streak near its margin, appearing as series of narrow transverse bands. The dorsal is fin brown, posteriormost is somewhat translucent. The caudal fin is tan to brown, outermost part translucent to yellowish. The anal and pelvic fins yellow to orange. The pectorals are transparent with suffusion of yellow with a small dark spot superiorly at its base. |
| Biology: |
Adults inhabit coral and rocky reefs (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: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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