THE STEINHART AQUARIUM - Gulf of Guinea Science ...

Neon Damselfish
Neoglyphidodon oxyodon (Pomacentridae)
Damselfishes
Distribution: Indo-Pacific, the Indo-Australian
Archipelago, including the Philippines, Indonesia
and the Ashmore Reef in the Timor Sea.
Habitat: Mature reefs with abundant populations
of branching corals. Commonly found
in the current-swept reef flats up to depths of
about 3 m.
Appearance: Easily identified by its velvety
dark blue body and brilliant electric-blue
horizontal stripes on its face and upper body.
A vertical yellowish-white stripe divides the
body just in front of the dorsal fin. As the neon
damselfish ages the body stripes fade becoming
an overall grayish blue to black in color.
Max length: 15 cm.
Diet: A wide variety of foods including zooplankton
and algae.
Reproduction and Development: Characteristic
of the Family Pomacentridae, the males
assume the parental care of the eggs.
Conservation Status: This species is listed as
low to moderate vulnerability. Its popularity
as an aquarium trade fish may be a reason for
its low populations.
Remarks: These damselfish can be found
sleeping in the shelter of coral heads at night.
Goldbelly Damselfish
Pomacentrus auriventris (Pomacentridae)
Damselfishes
Distribution: Western Central Pacific from
Micronesia to Indonesia.
Habitat: Mainly around inner reef slopes at
depth of 2–15 m. Congregate in small groups,
close to the bottom, in areas of mixed rubble,
coral, and algae.
Appearance: Electric-blue back with a golden
yellow belly. Max length: 5.5 cm.
Diet: Algae and some zooplankton.
Reproduction and Development: Damselfish
are substrate spawners. In most species, the male
establishes a territory, selects and prepares a site,
such as a piece of rubble with a smoothed wall
crevice, a coral surface, or a rocky ledge. Once
a spawning site has been prepared, the male
attracts a female into his territory with excited
swimming and distinct movements The female
will lay her adhesive eggs onto the prepared site,
California Academy of Sciences
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and the male will fertilize them. The male may
continue to mate with several different females.
Depending on the species some damselfish
males guard the eggs, while others do not.
Remarks: Because they are hardy and
inexpensive, damselfish are often used to
condition new aquariums and establish the
nitrification cycle.
Spine-cheek Anemonefish
Premnas biaculeatus (Pomacentridae)
Damselfishes
Distribution: Indo-West Pacific: Indo-
Australian Archipelago including India, Burma,
Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines,
New Guinea, New Britain, Solomon Islands,
Vanuatu, and northern Queensland, Australia.
Habitat: Lagoon and seaward reefs, 1–16 m.
Exclusively with the sea anemone Entacmaea
quadricolor. Usually in pairs.
Appearance: Length to 17 cm. Juveniles
orange-colored; color deepens with age. Male
smaller, bright red with three brilliant white
bars, sometimes barely visible. Female becomes
maroon or almost black with subdued bars.
Conspicuous spine on cheek.
Diet: Zooplankton and algae.
Reproduction and Development: Protandrous
hermaphrodite. Like Amphiprion species, are
monogamous. Female is to about 2–3 times
the size of her male partner.
Remarks: This fish has been successfully bred
and reared in captivity.
Beaugregory
Stegastes leucostictus(Pomacentridae)
Damselfishes
Distribution: The genus Stegastes is composed
of nearly 33 species with a wide tropical
distribution. Several, such as the Beaugregroy,
are known in the Caribbean.
Habitat: Shallow rock and coral reefs.
Appearance: Even within a particular species,
individuals and populations may display
marked color ranges, making it difficult to
identify an exact Stegastes species.
Diet: Members of the genus are exclusively
herbivores. Their grazing on algal beds, both
in the wild and in aquaria, helps control algal
growth.
Reproduction and Development: Damselfishes