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Bicolor damselfish (Stegastes partitus) — Pomacentridae

Bicolor damselfish

Stegastes partitus
Family: Pomacentridae
LC · Least Concern

The Bicolor damselfish (Stegastes partitus) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacentridae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–100.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Coral reefs of the western Atlantic and the Caribbean.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The bicolor damselfish (Stegastes partitus) is a small reef fish of the family Pomacentridae from the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species is recognised by the sharp division of the body: the front half is dark to black and the rear half white or yellowish. It reaches about 10 cm and inhabits shallow coral reefs and isolated patch reefs in deeper water. It feeds mainly on algae, but also on polychaete worms, hydroids, copepods and ascidians. The species is fiercely territorial, but defends only a small area around its shelter; because of this behaviour it is regarded as solitary.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bicolor damselfish?

The Bicolor damselfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly multicoloured and shows a plain pattern. Sharply two-coloured body (dark in front, pale behind); fiercely territorial around a small area.

Where does the Bicolor damselfish live?

The Bicolor damselfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Coral reefs of the western Atlantic and the Caribbean.

How big does the Bicolor damselfish get?

The Bicolor damselfish grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Bicolor damselfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Bicolor damselfish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Bicolor damselfish edible?

The Bicolor damselfish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Bicolor damselfish (Stegastes partitus) — Pomacentridae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Williams, J. T.; Carpenter, K. E.; Van Tassell, J. L.; Hoetjes, P.; Toller, W.; Etnoyer, P.; Smith, M. (CC BY 2.5)
Bicolor damselfish (Stegastes partitus) — Pomacentridae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Williams, J. T.; Carpenter, K. E.; Van Tassell, J. L.; Hoetjes, P.; Toller, W.; Etnoyer, P.; Smith, M. (CC BY 2.5)
Bicolor damselfish (Stegastes partitus) — Pomacentridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) uwkwaj, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bicolor damselfish (Stegastes partitus) — Pomacentridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) terence zahner, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Bicolor damselfish verified
Scientific name
Stegastes partitus
Family
Pomacentridae
Other names
Bicolor damselfish; Bicolor Damselfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Multicoloured inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
100.0 verified
Natural range
Coral reefs of the western Atlantic and the Caribbean. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae, polychaetes, hydroids and copepods sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Sharply two-coloured body (dark in front, pale behind); fiercely territorial around a small area. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Stegastes

More from the family Pomacentridae

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