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White-banded gregory (Stegastes albifasciatus) — Pomacentridae

White-banded gregory

Stegastes albifasciatus
Family: Pomacentridae
LC · Least Concern

The White-banded gregory (Stegastes albifasciatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacentridae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
13 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–4.0 m
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-Pacific; reef flats, shallow lagoons and tide pools.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The whitebar gregory is a damselfish of the family Pomacentridae from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 13 cm and has a dark-brown body; juveniles show pale crossbars and blue tints that fade with age. Adults inhabit reef flats, shallow lagoons and tide pools. It is a decidedly territorial 'farmer': it fiercely defends a patch of filamentous algae that it grazes and tends, a form of farming among fishes. As a predominantly herbivorous fish it feeds on those filamentous algae, supplemented with small invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the White-banded gregory?

The White-banded gregory has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern. Territorial 'algae farmer' that grazes and defends its own patch of filamentous algae; juveniles with pale bars.

Where does the White-banded gregory live?

The White-banded gregory lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-Pacific; reef flats, shallow lagoons and tide pools.

How big does the White-banded gregory get?

The White-banded gregory grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the White-banded gregory dangerous to humans?

No, the White-banded gregory is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the White-banded gregory edible?

The White-banded gregory is not usually eaten.

More photos

White-banded gregory (Stegastes albifasciatus) — Pomacentridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Harry Rosenthal, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
White-banded gregory (Stegastes albifasciatus) — Pomacentridae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Debra Baker (CC BY 4.0)
White-banded gregory (Stegastes albifasciatus) — Pomacentridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) margot_oorebeek, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
White-banded gregory (Stegastes albifasciatus) — Pomacentridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Debra Baker, some rights reserved (CC BY))
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All data

Identification

English name
White-banded gregory verified
Scientific name
Stegastes albifasciatus
Family
Pomacentridae
Other names
White-banded gregory; Whitebar gregory; White-bar gregory verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
13.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
4.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-Pacific; reef flats, shallow lagoons and tide pools. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Mainly filamentous algae from its own territory, plus small invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups 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
Territorial 'algae farmer' that grazes and defends its own patch of filamentous algae; juveniles with pale bars. 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
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

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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