Bicolor damselfish
📖 Overview
Adults inhabit shallow coral reefs and isolated patch reefs in deeper water. Feed primarily on algae but also on polychaetes, hydroids, copepods and ascidians . Aggressively territorial but only around a small area . Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding . Eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate . Males guard and aerate the eggs . Taken incidentally in traps and small-meshed beach nets .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14 - 17; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 13 - 15. Exhibits geographic color variations . Body dark in front, becoming abruptly yellow between last dorsal spine and anal fin origin .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Unlike most other members of the genus Stegastes which eat filamentous algae, the bicolor damselfish feeds on plankton. It forms loose groups of up to twenty individuals and defends a territory over a rocky reef with plenty of crevices in which to lurk.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding . Eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate . Males guard and aerate the eggs . This species has a juvenile bisexual condition and a typical gonochore testis .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 0 - 100 m . Tropical; 33°N - 5°S, 98°W - 34°W
🌿 Ecology
algae but also on polychaetes, hydroids, copepods and ascidians (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Bicolor damselfish is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18.2 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 157 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Bicolor damselfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Bicolor Damselfish |
| 🏳️Catalan | Damisel·la bicolor |
| 🌍CES | sapín čokoládový |
| 🇩🇪German | Zweifarben-Gregory |
| 🇫🇷French | Demoiselle bicolore de l'Atlantique |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Donzela-bicolor-do-Atlântico |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | chopita bicolor · jaqueta bicolor · Leopoldito Medio Luto |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eupomacentrus partitus | Poey | 1868 | Synonym |
| Pomacentrus freemani | Beebe & Tee-Van | 1928 | Synonym |
| Pomacentrus partitus | Poey | 1868 | Synonym |
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Bicolor damselfish.
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 79 records indexed .
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