New 🐟 Mercury Safety Guide & Omega-3 Rankings Updated for 2026. View Omega-3 Rankings →

🌊 Marine Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🌡️ Tropical

Yellowtip damselfish

Stegastes pictus Castelnau, 1855
Max Length
7.5 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
2
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
20.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Adults inhabit shallow rocky reefs and associated with colonies of Millepora alcicornis (Floeter 1998, pers. comm.). Feed mainly on benthic algae and aggressively territorial (Floeter 1998, pers. comm.). Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding . Eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate . Males guard and aerate the eggs .

Scientific Name
Stegastes pictus
Authority
Castelnau, 1855
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
7.5 cm
Trophic Level
2
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
20.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15 - 16; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 14 - 15. : fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Yellowtip damselfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Yellowtip damselfish is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous
Spawn Location
Demersal

Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding . Eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate . Males guard and aerate the eggs .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; demersal; depth range ? - 70 m . Tropical known only from Brazil.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
2
Food Items

benthic algae and aggressively territorial (Floeter 1998, pers

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01259 × L3.04 (TL)
Max TL
7.5cm
Dorsal Spines
12
Dorsal Rays
16
Anal Spines
2
Anal Rays
15

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2021

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
20.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
2
Omnivore / Planktivore
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Castelnau, 1855

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Yellowtip damselfish is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • 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
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

Nutrition

Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central

Nutrient Amount
Protein 17.5 g
Omega-3 (total) 224 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Yellowtip damselfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
0 Observations logged on Aquareap

No observations yet - be the first to log one!

View all observations for Yellowtip damselfish ↗
Suggest an Edit

Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.

Link to a scientific paper, FishBase, or other authoritative source
Report an Issue

Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.