Stegastes diencaeus (Jordan & Rutter, 1897)
Longfin damselfish
Stegastes diencaeus
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Pomacentridae (Damselfishes), subfamily: Microspathodontinae
Max. size:  12.5 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 2 - 45 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: southern Florida (USA), Bahamas, and Caribbean Sea. Including Antilles and Yucatan to Venezuela (Ref. 26938).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-16; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 13-13. Anal fin long and pointed, reaching well beyond base of tail (Ref. 26938). Adults dark gray-brown, the edges of the scales blackish; a wash of yellowish often present dorsally on head, nape, and on back below spinous portion of dorsal fin; a small black spot at upper base of pectoral fins; juveniles bright yellow with two bright blue lines dorsally on head, extending to beneath middle of dorsal fin where they break into spots; a large blue-edged black spot basally on dorsal fin centered on last spine (Ref. 13442).
Biology:  Adults inhabit coral and rocky reefs of sheltered lagoons and inshore areas. Territorial and pugnacious (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). Taken incidentally in traps and small-meshed beach nets (Ref. 5217).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 15 November 2010 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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