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Threespot damselfish (Stegastes planifrons) — Pomacentridae

Threespot damselfish

Stegastes planifrons
Family: Pomacentridae
LC · Least Concern

The Threespot damselfish (Stegastes planifrons) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacentridae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
13 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1–30 m
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic and Caribbean, on coastal and offshore coral reefs, often in staghorn coral.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The threespot damselfish is a damselfish (family Pomacentridae) of the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species reaches about 13 cm; adults are yellow-brown, juveniles bright yellow, with three dark spots on the caudal peduncle, the dorsal-fin base and the upper gill cover. It inhabits inshore and offshore coral reefs and often stays in staghorn coral or where algae are abundant; at night it shelters in crevices. The species is strongly territorial and farms and defends a patch of algae on the reef, on which it mainly feeds. It is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Threespot damselfish?

The Threespot damselfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Strongly territorial algae farmer that defends an algal patch on the reef; three dark blotches, bright yellow juveniles.

Where does the Threespot damselfish live?

The Threespot damselfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Atlantic and Caribbean, on coastal and offshore coral reefs, often in staghorn coral.

How big does the Threespot damselfish get?

The Threespot damselfish grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Threespot damselfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Threespot damselfish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Threespot damselfish edible?

The Threespot damselfish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Threespot damselfish (Stegastes planifrons) — Pomacentridae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Williams, J. T.; Carpenter, K. E.; Van Tassell, J. L.; Hoetjes, P.; Toller, W.; Etnoyer, P.; Smith, M. (CC BY 2.5)
Threespot damselfish (Stegastes planifrons) — Pomacentridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) CraigW, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Threespot damselfish (Stegastes planifrons) — Pomacentridae — 4
iNaturalist (no rights reserved)

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All data

Identification

English name
Threespot damselfish verified
Scientific name
Stegastes planifrons
Family
Pomacentridae
Other names
Threespot damselfish; Threespot Damselfish; Yellow damselfish verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1 verified
Max depth (m)
30 verified
Natural range
Western Atlantic and Caribbean, on coastal and offshore coral reefs, often in staghorn coral.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Mainly algae that it cultivates in its territory sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary
Territorial
Yes
Activity
Diurnal
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Strongly territorial algae farmer that defends an algal patch on the reef; three dark blotches, bright yellow juveniles. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Stegastes

More from the family Pomacentridae

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