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Blackhead puller (Chromis klunzingeri) — Pomacentridae

Blackhead puller

Chromis klunzingeri
Family: Pomacentridae

The Blackhead puller (Chromis klunzingeri) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacentridae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
6.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–20.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia

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Description

The blackhead puller is a small reef fish (Pomacentridae) from temperate reef waters of southern Australia. The species grows to about 7 cm and has a light-grey body with a dark head and back. As a reef-dweller it swims in large schools above rocky reefs and picks suspended zooplankton from the current. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blackhead puller?

The Blackhead puller has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Blackhead puller live?

The Blackhead puller lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Australia

How big does the Blackhead puller get?

The Blackhead puller grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Blackhead puller dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackhead puller 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.

More photos

Blackhead puller (Chromis klunzingeri) — Pomacentridae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Peter Southwood (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Blackhead puller (Chromis klunzingeri) — Pomacentridae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Peter Southwood (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Blackhead puller (Chromis klunzingeri) — Pomacentridae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Peter Southwood (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Blackhead puller (Chromis klunzingeri) — Pomacentridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) J. Martin Crossley, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Blackhead puller sourced
Scientific name
Chromis klunzingeri
Family
Pomacentridae
Other names
Black-headed chromis verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.5 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
20.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
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 Chromis

More from the family Pomacentridae

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