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HABITAT
Damselfish are found in all tropical and some semitropical seas,
and certain species in- habit fresh or brackish water. Damselfish are most abundant in the
Indo-Pacific region.
They usually live in shallow water around coral reefs, mangroves,
and beds of sea grass. Some species like the bicolor damselfish occur at depths of over
250 feet. juveniles of some species like the night major are common in tropical tide
pools, while the yellow-orange garibaldi is found in more temperate regions. It feeds on
small animals in the seaweed that grows in beds off the coast of California.
BEHAVIOR
Damselfish are known for their ferocious and
territorial behavior. Certain bottom-dwelling species like the three-spot damselfish can
defend a territory up to 16 feet across. The territory usually includes feeding and
spawning sites and a shelter for protection from predators.
A damselfish defends its territory against fish that compete for
similar environments, such as butterfly fish and surgeon fish, even if they are much
larger. But it generally ignores less competitive species like bass and groupers. Some
other damselfish are less territorial and live in open water in schools ranging from six
to several hundred fish.
Above: During courtship rituals
vibrant colors distinguish the sexes more clearly.
Above: Damselfish stay close to the
coral reef, often darting into dark crevices to hide from predators. |
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Damselfish are lively and
colorful members of the coral reef community. Found in off tropical seas, they are known
as demoiselles in the Mediterranean region.
BREEDING
After establishing a territory, a male damselfish cleans a rocky
ledge or coral surface to prepare it for spawning. Using color changes, excited swimming
movements, and, in certain species, clicking sounds, the male fish encourages a mature
female to approach the spawning site and lay her eggs, which he quickly fertilizes.
Courtship and mating take about 10 to 20 minutes. Some males may mate with several
females.
Each female fish lays up to 20,000 tiny oval eggs, which the male
tirelessly guards and tends. He fans water across the eggs with his fins, some- times
picking out dead eggs that could develop fungus and threaten the whole batch. Male
damselfish defend their eggs against fish much larger than themselves with little regard
for their own safety. The eggs hatch after three to seven days, and the larvae spend weeks
drifting and feeding on animal and plant plankton. Some species of damselfish mature at
two or three years of age while others take much longer.
Above: Tube-like coral formations
provide sleeping places for damselfish.
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FOOD & FEEDING
Some damselfish feed on zooplankton (tiny waterborne
crustaceans and fish larvae) as they hover above coral reef formations. Many others graze
on the seabed, eating algae (primitive plants) and small bottom-dwelling invertebrates
such as shrimp and crabs.
The three-spot damselfish and certain other species cultivate
algal lawns-- thick patches of algae. They eat the algae along with the invertebrates that
colonize the lawn. These lawns also provide sites for organisms that attack and destroy
coral, changing the composition of the surrounding coral reef community in the process.
KEY FACTS
Length: Up to 14 in. but usually
smaller.
Sexual maturity: 2-5 years. Spawning season:
Spring to summer in temperate regions; less seasonal in the tropics.
Number of eggs: Up to 20,000.
Hatching time: 3-7 days.
Habitat: Territorial. Some species form large
schools.
Diet: Plankton, bottom-living invertebrates,
algae.
Lifespan: Up to 18 years in captivity. Less in
the wild.
RELATED SPECIES
There are 235 species within the damselfish family, including 26
species of clownfish.
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Did You Know?
Damselfish make unusual purring or clicking noises that are used in
courtship. The same noises are used to warn off intruders.
Juvenile damselfish may be a different color than mature fish. The
young garibaldi is red with blue spots and fin edges. When it matures, it becomes a
startling yellow-orange color.
The young of one species, Acanthochromis polyuacanthus, feed on
mucus secreted by their parents' skin. |
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