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Gray humbug (Dascyllus reticulatus) — Pomacentridae

Gray humbug

Dascyllus reticulatus
Family: Pomacentridae
LC · Least Concern

The Gray humbug (Dascyllus reticulatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacentridae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–50.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The reticulate dascyllus is a small damselfish of the family Pomacentridae from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 9 cm and has a grey-white to brownish body with a fine, net-like pattern and a dark band behind the head. It lives in close association with branching stony corals, especially of the genera Acropora and Pocillopora, where small groups shelter among the coral branches when threatened. As an omnivore it picks zooplankton from the water column and grazes algae. In spawning the male guards the eggs laid on the coral. Owing to its small size the species has no fishery value and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Gray humbug?

The Gray humbug has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Gray humbug live?

The Gray humbug lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Gray humbug get?

The Gray humbug grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Gray humbug dangerous to humans?

No, the Gray humbug is harmless to humans.

Is the Gray humbug edible?

The Gray humbug is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Netjuffertje sourced
English name
Gray humbug verified
Scientific name
Dascyllus reticulatus
Family
Pomacentridae
Other names
Headband humbug; Marginate damselfish; Reticulate Dascyllus; Reticulate dascyllus verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
50.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Dascyllus

More from the family Pomacentridae

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