WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Cocoa Damselfish

Stegastes variabilis

Also known as: Cocoa Damsel, Farmer Damsel, Yellow Demoiselle, Caribbean Cocoa Damselfish

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2022
Adult
@Bama36 · Marathon, FL - Home, United States · September 20131 / 1
01

Overview

Found singly or in pairs, close to coral bommie's, of fringing inshore and offshore reefs, rich in algae growth.
Juveniles are aggressively territorial.
Western Atlantic - Brazil

Damselfish are egg layers.
First they clear a site ready for a nest, then engage in a mating dance with rapid swimming and fin movements, during this time the males will often turn a shade or two darker and may display white blotches. Spawning occurs at dawn.

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How to identify

Pattern
spots
Behaviour
pairssolitary

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

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Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Western Atlantic
  • Country only · 1
LIVES IN

Found singly or in pairs, close to coral bommie's, of fringing inshore and offshore reefs, rich in algae growth.

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Adult photos 1

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Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumChordata
    3. classTeleostei
    4. orderOvalentaria incertae sedis
    5. familyPomacentridae
    6. genusStegastes
    7. speciesStegastes variabilis (Castelnau, 1855)

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Damselfishes (Pomacentridae)