Microspathodon dorsalis

Pomacentridae
Giant Damselfish, Giant Damselfish
  • Microspathodon dorsalis, Cocos Island, Costa Rica, Photo: Graham Edgar
    Microspathodon dorsalis, Cocos Island, Costa Rica, Photo: Graham Edgar
  • Microspathodon dorsalis, Juvenile. Photo: Graham Edgar
    Microspathodon dorsalis, Juvenile. Photo: Graham Edgar
  • Microspathodon dorsalis, Juvenile, Malpelo Island, Colombia, Photo: Graham Edgar
    Microspathodon dorsalis, Juvenile, Malpelo Island, Colombia, Photo: Graham Edgar
  • Microspathodon dorsalis, Malpelo Island, Colombia, Photo: Graham Edgar
    Microspathodon dorsalis, Malpelo Island, Colombia, Photo: Graham Edgar
Distribution
Tropical Eastern Pacific
Description
Dark blue-green body with a large rounded head and lips, fins mildly filamentous with bright blue margins. Juveniles with blue dashes over body and a curved row of larger blue spots on side. Inhabits reefs, below the surf zone, and aggressively defend it's territory.
Information
  • Max Size: 31 cm
  • Sea Temperature Range: 22.8-30.4°C
  • Depth: 1-25m
  • Habitat: Coral Reef, Rocky Reef
  • Habitat Generalisation Index: 21
    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: Least Concern
  • Occurrence: Common (45% 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 (10 per transect)
    Abundance is calculated as the average number of individuals recorded per RLS transect, where present.
Edit by: Joe Shields
Report an Error
Further Information:
Copyright:
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].

Please use this form only for a single type of error. If you see multiple errors on the page for this species, please report these in separate forms by clicking on this button again after submitting this form


Thank you for highlighting this error. We appreciate your assistance in maintaining high quality control standards

Copyright Reef Life Survey 2019
Made by Forte Web Design
Forte Web Design support RLS
Supported by The Ian Potter Foundation