Threespot damselfish
📖 Overview
Adults inhabit inshore and offshore coral reefs. They are found within caves at night . Often found in tangles of staghorn coral; anywhere there is abundant algae on reefs . Feed mainly on algae but also on harpacticoid copepods, small gastropods, eggs of mollusks, sponges, polychaetes and hydroids . Juveniles subsist on the external parasites of fishes . Adults pugnaciously guard large territories, will chase and nip intruders of all sizes, including divers . 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): 15 - 17; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 13 - 14. Adults brownish gray with a yellowish cast; vertical dark lines following scale rows; a large blackish spot covering most of pectoral base, darkest near upper part; pectorals slightly dusky. The young are bright yellow with a large black spot at base of dorsal fin at junction of spinous and soft portions, a large black spot dorsally on caudal peduncle and a small one at upper pectoral base .: short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Threespot damselfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding . Eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate . Males guard and aerate the eggs .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 1 - 30 m . Tropical
🌿 Ecology
algae but also on harpacticoid copepods, small gastropods, eggs of mollusks, sponges, polychaetes an
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Threespot 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 | 18.5 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 120 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Threespot 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 | Threespot Damselfish · Yellow damselfish |
| 🏳️Catalan | Damisel·la de tres punts |
| 🌍CES | sapín hnědožlutý |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Treplettet jomfrufisk |
| 🇩🇪German | Dreifleck-Demoiselle · Dreifleck-Gregory · Gelber Georg |
| 🇫🇷French | Demoiselle trois points |
| 🇳🇱Dutch | Drievlekkenjuffertje |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Donzela-de-três-pintas |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Chopita de tres puntos · Leopoldito Marrón · chopita amarilla · jaqueta de tres puntos |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eupomacentrus planifrons | Cuvier | 1830 | Synonym |
| Pomacentrus planifrons | Cuvier | 1830 | Synonym |
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Threespot damselfish.
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 53 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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