Phoenix devil (Plectroglyphidodon phoenixensis)

Classification (WoRMS)

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

Accepted name: Plectroglyphidodon phoenixensis · Authority: (Schultz, 1943) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 212853.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Abudefduf phoenixensis Schultz, 1943; Plectroglyphidodon phoenixen (Schultz, 1943).

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=212853 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

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

Maximum length: 9 cm · Depth range: 0–8 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: short and / or deep · Vulnerability index: 10 of 100 · Fishery importance: of no interest · Aquarium trade: commercial.

FishBase notes: Adults are found exclusively in surge zone of seaward reef margins (Ref. 9710). They occur in or near Acropora or Pocillopora coral patches (Ref. 1602). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302).

A solitary territorial herbivore (Ref. 1602). Feeds on benthis algae (Ref. 89972). 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). Diurnal species (Ref. 54980; 113699).

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 5714) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Plectroglyphidodon-phoenixensis.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

983 georeferenced occurrence records for Plectroglyphidodon phoenixensis are published through GBIF from 28 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 112 distinct locations from a sample of 983 records, omitting 2 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 Minor Outlying Islands (438); American Samoa (149); French Polynesia (111); Northern Mariana Islands (72); New Caledonia (56); Marshall Islands (26); Réunion (20); Micronesia (Federated States of) (14); South Africa (14); Cocos (Keeling) Islands (12); Guam (10); French Southern Territories (9); Kiribati (8); Australia (6); Philippines (5).

Marine regions with a valid WoRMS distribution record: Mauritian Exclusive Economic Zone; Réunion Exclusive Economic Zone; Chagos; South Africa (country); Madagascar.

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2398967) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2398967&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=212853 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Conservation status (IUCN Red List)

The IUCN Red List assesses Plectroglyphidodon phoenixensis (Schultz, 1943) 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 188585) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/188585/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2398967) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2398967/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-25.