Teleostei (teleosts) >
Ovalentaria/misc (Various families in series Ovalentaria) >
Pomacentridae (Damselfishes) > Microspathodontinae
Etymology: Stegastes: Greek, stegastos, -e, -on = covered (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Cuvier.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 1 - 15 m (Ref. 40395), usually 1 - 4 m (Ref. 9626). Tropical
Western Atlantic: Brazil. Some authors consider the population in Caribbean Sea as another species, Pomacentrus dorsopunicans (Ref. 9626). Reported in the eastern Atlantic off Senegal (Ref. 10797).
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm 7.0  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 12.6 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 9626)
Adults inhabit shallow, coral or rocky bottoms and sometimes near the shore in areas with little visibility (Ref. 9626). Juveniles were collected from tide pools and on rocky Lithothamnion reefs; adults found up to 15 m depth (Ref. 40395). A diurnal species, adults feed on benthic algae, polychaetes and harpacticoid copepods (Ref. 9626); also consume hydroids and sponges and has been observed to feed on Abudefduf saxatilis eggs at night (Ref. 9626). 16:21 SL/TL (Ref. 9626). Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding; eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate; males guard and aerate the eggs (Ref. 205).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
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).
Allen, G.R., 1991. Damselfishes of the world. Mergus Publishers, Melle, Germany. 271 p. (Ref. 7247)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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