Stegastes variabilis: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Species of fish}}
{{italic title}}
{{Speciesbox
{{Speciesbox
⚫
| image = Stegastes variabilis.jpg
| name = Cocoa damselfish
⚫
| image = Cocoa_damselfish.jpg
| image_caption =
| taxon = Stegastes variabilis
| taxon = Stegastes variabilis
| authority = ([[Francis de Laporte de Castelnau|Castelnau]], 1855)<ref>{{cite WoRMS |author=Bailly, Nicolas |year=2010 |title=''Stegastes variabilis'' (Castelnau, 1855) |id=276688 |accessdate=2011-12-28 }}</ref>
| authority = ([[Francis de Laporte de Castelnau|Castelnau]], 1855)<ref>{{cite WoRMS |author=Bailly, Nicolas |year=2010 |title=''Stegastes variabilis'' (Castelnau, 1855) |id=276688 |accessdate=2011-12-28 }}</ref>
| synonyms =
*''Pomacentrus variabilis'' <small>Castelnau, 1855</small>
*''Eupomacentrus variabilis'' <small>(Castelnau, 1855</small>)
*''Pomacentrus flaviventer'' <small>[[Franz Hermann Troschel|Troschel]], 1865</small>
*''Eupomacentrus chrysus'' <small>[[Tarleton Hoffman Bean|T.H. Bean]], 1906</small>
}}
}}

'''''Stegastes variabilis''''' ('''cocoa damselfish''') is a [[damselfish]] in the [[family (biology)|family]] [[Pomacentridae]], found on [[Coral reef|coral]] and rocky reefs in the [[Caribbean Sea]] and neighboring areas of the [[Atlantic Ocean]] and [[Gulf of Mexico]]. They are often solitary.<ref name="fishbase" />
'''''Stegastes variabilis''''', commonly known as the '''Brazilian cocoa damselfish''', is a species of [[damselfish]] in the [[family (biology)|family]] [[Pomacentridae]], found on [[Coral reef|coral]] reefs in the western Atlantic Ocean and off Brazil. They are often solitary fish.<ref name="fishbase" />

==Taxonomy==
The genus name is Greek for ''stegastos'', which means covered. Formerly, the [[Caribbean cocoa damselfish]] was considered as [[conspecific]] with the Brazilian cocoa damselfish, but the population from the Caribbean is genetically very distinct from it.<ref name="fishbase" />


==Description==
==Description==
The cocoa damselfish is an oval, laterally compressed fish and grows to about {{convert|12.5|cm}} long. The top of the head and the snout bear several blue stripes. The top half of the body is generally dark blue or brown and the bottom half is yellow. The sides are finely barred with vertical dark lines. There are two small black spots, one above the pectoral fins and the other on the top of the caudal peduncle. The large dorsal fin has 12 spines and 14 to 17 soft rays. The anal fin has two spines and 12 to 15 soft rays. The caudal fin is shallowly forked and has rounded lobes.<ref name=fishbase>[http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/speciesSummary.php?ID=3654&genusname=Stegastes&speciesname=variabilis Stegastes variabilis] on [[FishBase]]</ref>
The Brazilian cocoa damselfish is an oval, laterally compressed fish and grows to about {{convert|12.5|cm}} long. The top of the head and the snout bear several blue stripes. The top of the body is generally dark brown or blue or brown and shades to yellow below. The sides are finely barred with obliquely vertical dark lines. There are two small black spots, one above the pectoral fins and the other on the top of the caudal peduncle. The large dorsal fin has 12 spines and 14 to 17 soft rays. The anal fin has two spines and 12 to 15 soft rays. The caudal fin is shallowly forked and has rounded lobes.<ref name=fishbase>[http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/speciesSummary.php?ID=3654&genusname=Stegastes&speciesname=variabilis Stegastes variabilis] on [[FishBase]]</ref>


⚫
== Distribution and habitat==
Juveniles have a number of tiny blue spots and stripes on the head and upper part of the body, including two spots and a stripe on the upper iris. These regions also have a dusky blue sheen. A blue-rimmed black eyespot is located where the dorsal fin spines join with the soft rays. A similar blue-rimmed spot is found at the top of the caudle peduncle, and it extends down nearly as far as the [[lateral line]]. Older juveniles develop the characteristic blue and yellow coloration of the adult.<ref>[http://www.coralreeffish.com/pomacentridae.html Pomacentridae: ''Stegastes variabilis''] Larvae of coral reef fishes. Retrieved 2011-12-28.</ref>
Brazilian cocoa damselfish are found in the western Atlantic by Brazil.<ref name="fishbase" /> They are marine and reef-associated. They do not migrate and have a depth range of 0 to 30 m.<ref name="fishbase" />


==Ecology and behaviour==
⚫
== Distribution ==
===Feeding===
Cocoa damselfish are found in the western Atlantic by Brazil and the Caribbean.<ref name="fishbase" /> The populations from Brazil and the Caribbean are genetically very distinct.<ref name="fishbase" /> They are also found in Florida and the Gulf of Mexico.<ref name=":0" /> They are marine and reef-associated. They do not migrated and have a depth range of 0 to 30 m.<ref name="fishbase" /> It is common on offshore reefs, oil platforms , and wrecks. The juveniles can occasionally appear inshore.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=Fishes of the Gulf of Mexico: Texas, Louisiana, and Adjacent Waters|last=Hoese|first=H.|last2=Moore|first2=Richard|publisher=|year=|isbn=|location=|pages=253}}</ref>
⚫
Adults feed mainly on [[benthos|benthic]] [[algae]] but also on [[sponge]]s, [[ascidiacea]] and [[anemone]]s, while juveniles feed on invertebrates such as harpacticoid [[copepod]]s and [[nemertea]]ns.<ref name=fishbase/>


==Ecology==
===Breeding===
⚫
In the breeding season, the female lays [[Egg (biology)|eggs]] on the seabed where they are attached to empty shells, stones or other objects and fertilized by the male. He then guards them, aerates them and chases away intruders.<ref name=fishbase/> They are aggressive when breeding. Also there is distinct pairing during breeding.<ref name="fishbase" />
⚫
Adults feed mainly on [[benthos|benthic]] [[algae]] but also on [[sponge]]s, [[ascidiacea]] and [[anemone]]s while juvenile feed on invertebrates such as harpacticoid [[copepod]]s and [[Nemertea|nemerteans]].<ref name=fishbase/>
==Breeding==
⚫
In the breeding season, the female lays [[Egg (biology)|eggs]] on the seabed where they are attached to empty shells, stones or other objects and fertilized by the male. He then guards them, aerates them and chases away intruders.<ref name=fishbase/>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


{{Taxonbar|from=Q3752068}}
==External links==
* [http://core.ecu.edu/biol/nortons/NCFishes/BonyFish/Pomacentridae/CocoaDamselfish/CocoaDamselfish.html Cocoa damselfish] on ''Rock and Wreck Fishes of North Carolina''
* [http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=615412&print_version=PRT&source=to_print ITIS page]


[[Category:Stegastes]]
[[Category:Stegastes|variabilis]]
[[Category:Animals described in 1855]]
[[Category:Fish described in 1855]]
[[Category:Saltwater fish of Florida]]
[[Category:Fish of the Atlantic Ocean]]

Latest revision as of 13:58, 5 March 2023

Stegastes variabilis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Family: Pomacentridae
Genus: Stegastes
Species:
S. variabilis
Binomial name
Stegastes variabilis
(Castelnau, 1855)[1]
Synonyms
  • Pomacentrus variabilis Castelnau, 1855
  • Eupomacentrus variabilis (Castelnau, 1855)
  • Pomacentrus flaviventer Troschel, 1865
  • Eupomacentrus chrysus T.H. Bean, 1906

Stegastes variabilis, commonly known as the Brazilian cocoa damselfish, is a species of damselfish in the family Pomacentridae, found on coral reefs in the western Atlantic Ocean and off Brazil. They are often solitary fish.[2]

Taxonomy[edit]

The genus name is Greek for stegastos, which means covered. Formerly, the Caribbean cocoa damselfish was considered as conspecific with the Brazilian cocoa damselfish, but the population from the Caribbean is genetically very distinct from it.[2]

Description[edit]

The Brazilian cocoa damselfish is an oval, laterally compressed fish and grows to about 12.5 centimetres (4.9 in) long. The top of the head and the snout bear several blue stripes. The top of the body is generally dark brown or blue or brown and shades to yellow below. The sides are finely barred with obliquely vertical dark lines. There are two small black spots, one above the pectoral fins and the other on the top of the caudal peduncle. The large dorsal fin has 12 spines and 14 to 17 soft rays. The anal fin has two spines and 12 to 15 soft rays. The caudal fin is shallowly forked and has rounded lobes.[2]

Distribution and habitat[edit]

Brazilian cocoa damselfish are found in the western Atlantic by Brazil.[2] They are marine and reef-associated. They do not migrate and have a depth range of 0 to 30 m.[2]

Ecology and behaviour[edit]

Feeding[edit]

Adults feed mainly on benthic algae but also on sponges, ascidiacea and anemones, while juveniles feed on invertebrates such as harpacticoid copepods and nemerteans.[2]

Breeding[edit]

In the breeding season, the female lays eggs on the seabed where they are attached to empty shells, stones or other objects and fertilized by the male. He then guards them, aerates them and chases away intruders.[2] They are aggressive when breeding. Also there is distinct pairing during breeding.[2]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Bailly, Nicolas (2010). "Stegastes variabilis (Castelnau, 1855)". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 2011-12-28.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Stegastes variabilis on FishBase
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