Blacksmith (Chromis punctipinnis)

Classification (WoRMS)

Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Chordata · Class: Teleostei · Order: Ovalentaria incertae sedis · Family: Pomacentridae · Genus: Chromis.

Accepted name: Chromis punctipinnis · Authority: (Cooper, 1863) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 273751.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Ayresia punctipinnis Cooper, 1863.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=273751 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

Measured values published by FishBase for Chromis punctipinnis. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.

Maximum length: 25 cm · Depth range: 2–46 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: fusiform / normal · Vulnerability index: 20.5 of 100 · Fishery importance: minor commercial.

FishBase notes: Adults occur near bottom over or near rocks, especially over steep banks, and also in kelp beds. Young school in open ocean. They retire to rocky holes at night (Ref. 7247). 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). Good eating.

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 3646) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Chromis-punctipinnis.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

209,972 georeferenced occurrence records for Chromis punctipinnis are published through GBIF from 2 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 12 distinct locations from a sample of 3,000 records, omitting 9 inland records that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.

Most records by country or area: United States of America (209,311); Mexico (661).

The full country table, WoRMS marine regions and the sampling notes are on this species' Distribution page.

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 5212202) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=5212202&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=273751 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Conservation status (IUCN Red List)

The IUCN Red List assesses Chromis punctipinnis (Cooper, 1863) as Least Concern (code LC). No trend, population estimate or threat analysis is given here, because none is available from this source without the Red List API; follow the source link for the full assessment, including its date.

Source: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (taxon 154831) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/154831/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 5212202) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/5212202/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-23.