A common (Ref. 9710) territorial species that inhabits coral reefs, juveniles usually encountered among branches of yellow stinging coral, Millepora. Adults are found in very shallow waters of coral reefs, usually near top of outer edge where there are caves, holes, and abundant fire coral (Ref. 26938). Feed primarily on algae but also on polyps of fire coral (Ref. 3139) and other invertebrate animal material (Ref. 13442). Juveniles occasionally pick parasites from other species of fish (Ref. 3139). Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205). Eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate (Ref. 205). Males guard and aerate the eggs (Ref. 205). Occasionally marketed fresh (Ref. 3139). Have been reared in captivity (Ref. 35420).

Western Atlantic: southern Florida (USA) and Bermuda through the Caribbean Sea to Brazil (Ref. 40101).

Gulf of Mexico

Western Atlantic.

Dorsal spines (total): 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14 - 15; Analspines: 2; Analsoft rays: 12 - 13

Maximum size: 210 mm NG

21.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; (Ref. 9710))

Tail bright yellow. Juveniles dark blue with transparent tail and electric blue spots on side (Ref. 26938). Adults dark yellowish brown, the edges of the scales darker (Ref 13442).

Type for Microspathodon chrysurus
Catalog Number: USNM 37455
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Fishes
Collector(s): F. Poey
Locality: Cuba, Greater Antilles, Caribbean Sea, Atlantic

reef-associated; non-migratory; marine; depth range 0 - 120 m (Ref. 10797), usually 0 - 10 m (Ref. 7247)

Depth range based on 2775 specimens in 1 taxon.
Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 1862 samples.

Environmental ranges
  Depth range (m): 0.4 - 32.8
  Temperature range (°C): 24.448 - 28.067
  Nitrate (umol/L): 0.024 - 3.505
  Salinity (PPS): 34.217 - 36.613
  Oxygen (ml/l): 4.285 - 4.773
  Phosphate (umol/l): 0.046 - 0.239
  Silicate (umol/l): 0.805 - 5.080

Graphical representation

Depth range (m): 0.4 - 32.8

Temperature range (°C): 24.448 - 28.067

Nitrate (umol/L): 0.024 - 3.505

Salinity (PPS): 34.217 - 36.613

Oxygen (ml/l): 4.285 - 4.773

Phosphate (umol/l): 0.046 - 0.239

Silicate (umol/l): 0.805 - 5.080
 
Note: this information has not been validated. Check this *note*. Your feedback is most welcome.

Depth: 0 - 120m.
Recorded at 120 meters.

Habitat: reef-associated.

A common (Ref. 9710) territorial species that inhabits coral reefs, juveniles usually encountered among branches of yellow stinging coral, Millepora. Found in very shallow waters of coral reefs, usually near top of outer edge where there are caves, holes, and abundant fire coral (Ref. 26938). Feeds primarily on algae but also on polyps of fire coral (Ref. 3139) and other invertebrate animal material (Ref. 13442). Territorial herbivore (Ref. 57616).

Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205). Eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate (Ref. 205). Males guard and aerate the eggs (Ref. 205).

The following is a representative barcode sequence, the centroid of all available sequences for this species.


There are 16 barcode sequences available from BOLD and GenBank.  Below is a sequence of the barcode region Cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI or COX1) from a member of the species.  See the BOLD taxonomy browser for more complete information about this specimen and other sequences.


Download FASTA File

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 16
Specimens with Barcodes: 19
Species With Barcodes: 1

Not Evaluated

fisheries: subsistence fisheries; aquarium: commercial