Stegastes pictus

Lore & Background

Stegastes pictus is a demersal, territorial fish that guards an area of sea floor on which it grazes algae and eats detritus. It is often found in the vicinity of the fire coral Millepora alcicornis. The species is preyed upon by the trumpetfish, Aulostomus maculatus.

During the breeding season, yellowtip damselfish form pair bonds. The eggs are laid in a shallow scoop on the seabed, and the male tends them, fanning them to keep them well-aerated and increase their oxygen supply. The fish is deep-bodied and laterally compressed, with a large dorsal fin having 12 spines and about 15 soft rays, and an anal fin with two spines and about 14 soft rays.

Reader's Guide

Stegastes pictus is a small, laterally-compressed damselfish endemic to shallow rocky reefs off the coast of Brazil, where it is found near the sea bed. Its dark brownish-black body with yellow pectoral and caudal fins makes it visually distinctive. The species is notable for its close association with the fire coral Millepora alcicornis, though the nature of this relationship is not specified in the source. As a territorial fish, it actively guards its grazing area on the sea floor, feeding on algae and detritus. Its breeding behavior involves pair bonding and male parental care, with the male guarding and fanning the eggs laid on the seabed. The species is preyed upon by the trumpetfish Aulostomus maculatus. The yellowtip damselfish contributes to the ecological dynamics of Brazilian rocky reefs as both a grazer and a prey species, and its association with fire coral highlights a specific microhabitat niche.

Did You Know?

• It has yellow pectoral and caudal fins, and a pale edge to the gill covers.
• The male guards and fans the eggs to keep them well-aerated.