| Pomacentridae (Damselfishes), subfamily: Chrominae |
| 5.62 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
|
reef-associated; marine; depth range 2 - 65 m |
| Western Pacific: Papua New Guinea. |
|
Dorsal spines (total): 11-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-13; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 12-13; Vertebrae: 26-26. This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: D XI or XII,11-13 (usually XII, 13); A II,12-13 (rarely 13); pectoral rays 15-17 (rarely 17); spiniform caudal rays 2; tubed lateral-line scales 12-14 (usually 13); total gill rakers on first branchial arch 27-31; body depth 1.6-1.8 in SL; colour in life yellowish brown grading to grey brown on posterior body including caudal peduncle; orange bar across pectoral-fin base, invading axil of fin; pelvic fins are yellow; dorsal and anal fins are brown with yellow area posteriorly on each fin; dark brown margin, dorsally and ventrally on caudal fin, tapering in width posteriorly (Ref. 96316). |
| Prefers gentler slopes of coral-rich areas of highly sheltered lagoons and bays, and also on steep outer reef slopes where it can be found in the vicinity of crevices and caverns (Ref. 96316). |
|
Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
|
| harmless |
|
Type locality of Chromis howsoni. This species co-occur with C. amboinensis in some habitats. It is most abundant on sheltered coastal reefs, and co-occur with C. amboinensis on both exposed outer reefs (Lusancay Islands and Nuakata vicinity, Milne Bay Province) and in semi-exposed reefs closer to the coast (Fergusson Island and Lawadi-Tawali area, Milne Bay Province and Stewart Reefs off Tufi, Oro Province). Both were equally common in semi-exposed situation, with this species was abundant in highly sheltered coastal inlets at Tufi. Despite intensive survey efforts, it has not been observed at other parts of Milne Bay Province (Misima, Woodlark Island, Egum Atoll, Louisiade Islands, and Rennell Island), New Britain, New Ireland, Manus Island, Hermit and Ninigo Island, and Madang vicinity (Ref. 96316). |
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