Stegastes variabilis
| Stegastes variabilis | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Family: | Pomacentridae |
| Genus: | Stegastes |
| Species: | S. variabilis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Stegastes variabilis | |
| Synonyms | |
Stegastes variabilis, commonly known as the Brazilian cocoa damselfish, is a species of damselfish in the family Pomacentridae. They live on coral reefs in the western Atlantic Ocean and off the coast of Brazil. They normally do not live with other fish.[2]
Taxonomy[change | change source]
The genus name is Greek for stegastos. It means covered. In the past, the Caribbean cocoa damselfish was believed to be in the same species as the Brazilian cocoa damselfish, This is not true, the population from the Caribbean is genetically different.[2]
Description[change | change source]
The Brazilian cocoa damselfish is in the shape of an oval that is pressed in at the sides. It grows to about 12.5 cm (4.9 in) long. The top of the head and the snout have many blue stripes. The top of the body is generally dark brown, blue or brown. It has shades to yellow on the lower body. The sides have bars of vertical dark lines. They have two small black spots on their bodies. One is above the pectoral fins. The other on the top of the caudal peduncle. The large dorsal fin has twelve spines and between fourteen and seventeen soft rays. The anal fin has two spines and between twelve and fifteen soft rays. The caudal fin is forked and has rounded lobes.[2]
Distribution and habitat[change | change source]
Brazilian cocoa damselfish are found near Brazil in the western Atlantic Ocean.[2] They do not migrate. These fish have a depth range of 0–30 m (0–98 ft).[2]
Ecology and behaviour[change | change source]
Feeding[change | change source]
Adults mainly eat benthic algae. They also eat sponges, ascidiacea and anemones. The young of the species eat invertebrates such as harpacticoid copepods and nemerteans.[2]
Breeding[change | change source]
In the breeding season, the female lays eggs on the seabed. The eggs attached to empty shells, stones or other objects. They are then fertilized by the male. He then guards them, aerates them and chases away intruders.[2] The fish are aggressive when they are breeding. There is also a distinct pairing during the breeding.[2]
References[change | change source]
- ↑ Bailly, Nicolas (2010). "Stegastes variabilis (Castelnau, 1855)". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 2011-12-28.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Stegastes variabilis on FishBase