Chromis insolata (Cuvier, 1830)
Sunshinefish
Chromis insolata
photo by Charteris, M.

Family:  Pomacentridae (Damselfishes), subfamily: Chrominae
Max. size:  16 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 20 - 100 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: Florida (USA), Bermuda, Bahamas, and the Caribbean Sea.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 13-13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-12; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 11-12. Adults dark olive brown dorsally, abruptly white ventral to lower edge of eye and pectoral base; dorsal and caudal fins yellowish posteriorly; a black spot at upper base of pectoral fins; juveniles bright yellow to yellow-green on upper third, abruptly violet on side, shading to whitish ventrally; a bright blue line from front of snout to upper edge of eye (Ref. 13442).
Biology:  Adults inhabit outer and seaward reefs. Feeds on plankton (Ref. 5521). Taken incidentally in traps and small-meshed beach nets (Ref. 5217). 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: 15 November 2010 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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