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Stegastes fasciolatus
This damselfish is dark green in color, but males may be even darker, especially during mating season. Their eyes are golden colored, but males can make it turn dark when they are in an aggressive mood. They are very protective of their patch of algae, which serves as their home, nest (they are egg layers) and food source. Also known as Pacific Gregory, Blacktail Damsel and Dark Damsel. They feed on algae, and grow to a length of about 15cm.
Found singly or in small loose groups in shallow lagoons with moderate surge. Widespread in the Indo-Pacific region.
Spotted this fish at San Juan Reef, depth of about 30 feet. This one is feisty -- it attacks divers (and other fish) that approach its territory. Once, it bumped my mask from the side so hard it actually moved and let water in.
Spotted on Jan 15, 2012
Submitted on Jan 20, 2012
3 Comments
@Gerardo - I couldn't find "Paraglyphidodon melas", but there is a Neoglyphidodon melas. However, when I checked photos of the latter, it was very close but not the same. For one thing, the eyes aren't golden in N. melas. I'll keep searching... :)
Muchas gracias, Gerardo! I'll look it up. :)
Paraglyphidodon melas or Bluefin Damselfish, Black damselfih when thy are juvenile are yellow on the back and white whit blue fins, as it grows turn Black, in your 3th photo you can see a blue line under the anal fin.
Is very common in the Indo West Pacific.