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Rocas damselfish (Stegastes rocasensis) — Pomacentridae

Rocas damselfish

Stegastes rocasensis
Family: Pomacentridae

The Rocas damselfish (Stegastes rocasensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacentridae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–60.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Brazil, St Paul's Rocks

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Description

The Rocas damselfish is a damselfish (Pomacentridae) from reef water of the western Atlantic, around Rocas and northeastern Brazil. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a deep, laterally compressed, yellow-brown with dark scale edges body. As a fiercely territorial bottom-dweller it defends an algal garden on rocks and coral against intruders and eats algae, detritus and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Rocas damselfish?

The Rocas damselfish has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Rocas damselfish live?

The Rocas damselfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. South America: Brazil, St Paul's Rocks

How big does the Rocas damselfish get?

The Rocas damselfish grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Rocas damselfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Rocas 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.

More photos

Rocas damselfish (Stegastes rocasensis) — Pomacentridae — 2
Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — UF
Rocas damselfish (Stegastes rocasensis) — Pomacentridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Nicola Crockford, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Rocas damselfish (Stegastes rocasensis) — Pomacentridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Pedro Alvaro Neves, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Rocas damselfish (Stegastes rocasensis) — Pomacentridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Carlos Otávio Gussoni, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Rocas damselfish sourced
Scientific name
Stegastes rocasensis
Family
Pomacentridae
Other names
Saint Paul's gregory; Rocas gregory verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
60.0 verified
Natural range
South America: Brazil, St Paul's Rocks sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Territorial
Yes sourced
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 Stegastes

More from the family Pomacentridae

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