Chromis hangganan
A damselfish known only from Lubang Island, Philippines.
Chromis hangganan, commonly called the dark margin chromis, is a marine fish belonging to the damselfish family Pomacentridae and the genus Chromis. It was first described in 2019, together with Chromis bowesi and Chromis gunting, and has been found only around Lubang Island in the Philippines. The fish is distinguished by dark black margins along its dorsal and anal fins, a feature that gives it both its common and scientific names.
**Distribution and habitat** This species is known exclusively from Lubang Island, Oriental Mindoro. All three species described in 2019—C. bowesi, C. gunting, and C. hangganan—come from the Philippines. They were collected at depths between 75 and 150 meters, with C. hangganan occurring specifically at 90 to 130 meters.
**Description** The largest specimen used to describe C. hangganan measured about 5.7 cm in length. No photographs of fresh specimens exist. According to the original authors, the body is brown, darker on the upper side and lighter below. The tail and caudal fins are pale yellow. Black edges run along the spines of the dorsal and anal fins, while the soft portions of these fins have yellow rays. The mouth, snout, nape, and area around the eyes are dark brown; the lower part of the head is light brown. Dark spots are present at the base of the pectoral fin. The species is characterized by 10–12 dorsal fin rays, 11–12 anal fin rays, 18 pectoral fin rays, 3 procurrent caudal fin rays, 16 tubed lateral line scales, 23–26 gill rakers, and a body depth 1.9–2.0 times in standard length.
**Etymology** The scientific name uses the Tagalog word *hangganan*, meaning “border,” in reference to the black margins along the dorsal and anal fins—the fish’s fin borders.
Quick Facts
- Genus
- Chromis
- Species
- hangganan
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Chromis hangganan was first described in 2019, along with Chromis bowesi and Chromis gunting, based on specimens collected from Lubang Island in the Philippines. All three species were collected at depths of about 75–150 m, with C. hangganan specifically found at 90–130 m. The largest specimen used in the description measured about 5.7 cm in length. The species is characterized by 10–12 dorsal fin rays, 11–12 anal fin rays, 18 pectoral fin rays, 3 procurrent caudal fin rays, 16 tubed lateral line scales, 23–26 gill rakers, and a body depth of 1.9–2.0 in standard length. The adult fish's color when fresh is yellowish with dark black margins on the dorsal and anal fins. According to the authors, the body is brown, darker on the upper body than the lower; the tail and caudal fins are pale yellow; the soft dorsal and anal fins have yellow rays; the mouth, snout, nape, and area around the eyes are dark brown; the lower part of the head is light brown; and there are dark spots on the pectoral fin base. No images of fresh specimens were captured.
Reader's Guide
Chromis hangganan is significant as one of three damselfish species described in 2019 from Lubang Island, Philippines, highlighting the region's marine biodiversity. Its discovery at depths of 90–130 m underscores the importance of deep-reef exploration in the Philippines. The species is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of fin ray counts, scale counts, gill raker numbers, and body depth. The specific epithet 'hangganan' means 'border' in Tagalog, referencing the black margins along the dorsal and anal fins. The species is known only from its type locality, making it a localized endemic. Its description adds to the understanding of the genus Chromis in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in the Philippine archipelago, where deep-reef habitats remain understudied.
Did You Know?
- The species is known only from Lubang Island in the Philippines.
- Its specific epithet 'hangganan' means 'border' in Tagalog, referring to the black margins on its fins.
- The largest specimen used in its description measured about 5.7 cm in length.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chromis hangganan?
It is a small marine damselfish in the genus Chromis, commonly called the dark margin chromis. It belongs to the family Pomacentridae and was formally recognized as its own species in 2019.
Where does Chromis hangganan live?
So far it has only ever been recorded around Lubang Island in Oriental Mindoro, Philippines. It is a deep-water species, typically encountered between 90 and 130 metres below the surface.
How can you tell Chromis hangganan apart from other chromis?
The key giveaway is the bold black edging that traces both the dorsal and anal fins, a trait that inspired both its common name and the Tagalog species epithet meaning "margin."
How large does Chromis hangganan grow?
It tops out at roughly 5.7 centimetres in standard length, making it a compact little damselfish. Its dorsal fin bears 10 to 12 rays, while the anal fin carries 11 to 12.
When was Chromis hangganan first identified as a separate species?
It was formally described in 2019 as part of a trio of new Chromis species, alongside C. bowesi and C. gunting, all drawn from the same general waters around Lubang Island.
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