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Dusky damselfish (Stegastes adustus) — Pomacentridae

Dusky damselfish

Stegastes adustus
Family: Pomacentridae

The Dusky damselfish (Stegastes adustus) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacentridae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–3.0 m
Diet
Herbivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The dusky damselfish is a reef fish (Pomacentridae) from the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a dark-brown to grey body; juveniles have orange tones and blue spots. As a fiercely territorial reef-dweller it defends an algal territory on shallow coral and rocky reefs that it grazes and even defends against divers. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dusky damselfish?

The Dusky damselfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Dusky damselfish live?

The Dusky damselfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Dusky damselfish get?

The Dusky damselfish grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Dusky damselfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Dusky damselfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Dusky damselfish edible?

Yes, the Dusky damselfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Donkere koraaljuffer sourced
English name
Dusky damselfish sourced
Scientific name
Stegastes adustus
Family
Pomacentridae
Other names
Dusky damselfish; Dusky Damselfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-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)
3.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Territorial
Yes sourced
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless 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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