Whitetail chromis (Pycnochromis leucurus)
Source-cited species reference: taxonomy from WoRMS, biology from FishBase, conservation from IUCN Red List, description from Wikipedia.
Pycnochromis leucurus, commonly known as whitetail chromis, is a species of damselfish belonging to the genus Pycnochromis. Its scientific name combines the Greek terms leukos and oura, meaning "white" and "tail". It was first described by American ichthyologist, Charles Henry Gilbert in 1905. However, the species was initially classified as Chromis leucura, then was reclassified to Pycnochromis leucurus in 2021. Later, genetic comparisons found that the Pycnochromis lineage is more closely related to the genus Dascyllus than Chromis.
- Scientific name
- Pycnochromis leucurus
- Authority
- (Gilbert, 1905)
- Family
- Pomacentridae
- Order
- Ovalentaria incertae sedis
- Maximum length
- 8.5 cm
- Depth range
- 20–119 m
- Habitat zone
- reef-associated
- Iucn red list
- Least Concern
Classification (WoRMS)
Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Chordata · Class: Teleostei · Order: Ovalentaria incertae sedis · Family: Pomacentridae · Genus: Pycnochromis.
Accepted name: Pycnochromis leucurus · Authority: (Gilbert, 1905) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 1605308.
Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Chromis leucura Gilbert, 1905; Chromis leucurus Gilbert, 1905.
Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=1605308 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.
Biology and life history (FishBase)
Measured values published by FishBase for Pycnochromis leucurus. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.
Maximum length: 8.5 cm · Depth range: 20–119 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: fusiform / normal · Vulnerability index: 10 of 100 · Fishery importance: commercial · Aquarium trade: commercial.
FishBase notes: Adults are found in aggregations near ledges and deep patch reefs (Ref. 9710). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Known only from a few specimens. Life history characteristics for the family specify that this group is oviparous, with 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. 13550).
Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 6599) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Pycnochromis-leucurus.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-23.
Conservation status (IUCN Red List)
The IUCN Red List assesses Pycnochromis leucurus (Gilbert, 1905) 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 188628) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/188628/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 11447237) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/11447237/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-23.
Description and natural history (Wikipedia)
This species are small fish with a deep, navy blue body, yellow lower fins, a pale thread-shaped tail, and a dark marking outlined in yellow near each pectoral fin. Young whitetail chromis' are a blue-gray color and can grow up to 2.5 in in length. As they mature, its dorsal fin consists of 12 stiff spines and 14 flexible rays, while its anal fin contains 2 spines and between 13 and 15 rays.
Pycnochromis leucurus is found in the Indo-Pacific. The species has been found between a range of approximately 20 and 122 m below the surface. First studies of the species originated from specimens collected in the ʻAuʻau Channel between Maui and Lānaʻi at depths of approximately 62 to 119 m. Whitetail chromis are often observed gathering in small numbers.
Source: Wikipedia: Pycnochromis leucurus — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pycnochromis_leucurus (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.
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