Dischistodus melanotus, Adult, Great Barrier Reef, Cairns, Qld, Photo: Andrew Green
Dischistodus melanotus, Juvenile. Photo: Rick Stuart-Smith
Distribution
Tropical Indo-Pacific
Description
White with dark upper head and forward portion of back. Adults also with dark patch around anus, and juveniles have white bar behind head and an ocellus in the middle of the back.
Information
Max Size: 16 cm
Sea Temperature Range: 23.5-31.2°C
Depth: 1-12m
Habitat: Coral Reef
Habitat Generalisation Index: 9.5
Also referred to as the SGI (Species generalisation index), this describes the habitat niche breadth of the species.
Species with values less than 15 are found in a relatively narrow range of reef habitat types (specialists), while those over 25 may be found on most
hard substrates within their range (generalists). Learn more here
Rarity
IUCN Threat Status: Not Evaluated
Occurrence: Frequent (19% of sites)
Occurrence describes how often the species is found on surveys within its distribution.
It is calculated as the % of reef sites surveyed by RLS divers across all the ecoregions in which the species has been observed
Abundance: Several (6 per transect)
Abundance is calculated as the average number of individuals recorded per RLS transect, where present.
Copyright to the photographs on this site belongs solely to the credited photographers. Any requests for usage can be directed to the photographer through
[email protected].